Opening a restaurant can be stressful as there are a multitude of things to think about. You have to choose the right location, the perfect menu and the best team to help you manage your marketing and financial strategies. Selecting bespoke dining tables and chairs to accommodate your customers may seem like an afterthought.

When choosing the furniture for your restaurant, it is vital to take into consideration many practical parameters, such as the price, the design and space constraints. Before you  place your orders, consider the following aspects to help you select the right furniture for your establishment.

The Size of Your Establishment

The first thing to consider is the size of your restaurant. You need to know the exact floor space available to help you determine the correct amount of tables and chairs.

If you have a small space, choosing compact booths over large tables and seats may be the ideal choice. Whilst you need to maximise the seating capacity of your restaurant, you have to keep in mind that there should be a clean flow of foot traffic between the kitchen and the dining area. This will allow your waitstaff to move comfortably whilst serving your guests.

Avoid packing too much seating into the available area, especially if you are a newbie in the restaurant business. Although this would allow you to serve more meals, the inconvenience may discourage potential customers from trying your food. However, if your restaurant already has a huge following, diners won’t mind a little discomfort if their goal is to try the sumptuous meals you serve.

The Design of Your Restaurant

When choosing the type of furniture to buy, consider the design of your restaurant as well as the menu. Your décor and furniture should contribute in creating the atmosphere and emotions that you want to evoke. If you are a family-friendly restaurant, plastic booths may fit well. If you have a fine-dining restaurant and you want a relaxed and cosy atmosphere, chairs with elegant upholstery is the way to go. Whatever style you choose for your restaurant, remember that the furniture should match the intended aura you envision.

The Budget You Have

The cost of your restaurant furniture, may it be booths, stools or upholstered furniture, can quickly add up. You may notice that a big portion of your budget goes on these expenses. While a certain type of table or chair may appeal, remember to stay within your budget.

Look for inexpensive versions of the chairs you require. Another idea is to buy used restaurant seats and have them re-upholstered. You need to make sure that any rips, tears and other imperfections are fixed before placing them in your restaurant.

The Style of the Furniture

When you are looking for restaurant seating, try to find designs that are easy to clean and maintain. Stains and spills are inevitable when you are catering to families with children, so it is best to avoid chairs with awkward designs, as they will be harder to clean and keep free from crumbs and other food debris.

If you are getting chairs or restaurant booths with fabric seats, make sure to have the fabric treated with a stain resister. You must also plan a budget to hire a professional cleaning service once or twice a year.

The Waiting Area

Apart from the dining area, your waiting area should also have comfortable chairs and couches ,you need them to be durable and covered in easy to clean materials. The foyer area should look impressive and reflect the theme of your restaurant.

The Things to Skip

Do not buy non-commercial restaurant furniture. Make sure that the chairs and tables you purchase can hold up to the daily use of your customers. Your restaurant seating should be durable and made to last for the years to come.

Whatever restaurant seating you choose, whether couches, stools or upholstered chairs, they will play a vital role in the overall aesthetics of your establishment. Before you make a purchase, carefully consider the factors mentioned above to make sure you get the most out of your money. The choice you make may help determine the success of your restaurant.

For the finest upholstery services,choose South West Upholstery. Backed by decades of experience, we strive to provide reliable, high-quality upholstery, re-upholstery and soft furnishing services in Bristol, Bath and further afield.

Our highly skilled team upholster existing furniture, as well as produce bespoke wooden frames and carcasses for any type of furniture or project. If you need help with your restaurant furnishings, please call 0117 370 2745 and our team would be pleased to assist you.