Choosing the right furniture for your restaurant can significantly influence the overall customer experience. There are various types of furniture to consider, each serving different purposes and catering to different restaurant styles. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of restaurant furniture you should consider for your establishment:
1. Chairs for the Service
- Purpose: These are the primary seating options where diners will enjoy their meals.
- Features: Typically, these chairs come with a backrest for comfort and are tall enough to fit the table properly.
- Style: The design of the chairs usually complements the tables they accompany. For instance, pairing glass tables with plastic chairs is uncommon and not recommended.
- Size: These chairs are generally spacious enough to provide comfort for most customers.
2. Tables for the Service
- Purpose: Service tables are where your guests’ meals will be served.
- Variety: Tables come in different sizes, shapes, and materials depending on your restaurant’s theme.
- Common Shapes:
Square: Often used in restaurants to create longer tables for larger groups.
Round: Ideal for creating an intimate dining experience.
Rectangular: Common in both casual and fine dining settings.
3. Rectangular Tables for Buffet
- Purpose: These tables are designed to hold several food trays during buffet service.
- Features: They are usually wider than regular tables and require more than four legs to evenly distribute the weight of the trays.
- Additional Compartments: Some buffet tables come with compartments to hold coolers, hot trays, and ice trays.
4. High Benches for Bars
- Purpose: High stools are commonly used in bars for seating at the bar counter.
- Design: Circular benches are the most popular, but you can also find rotating benches, fixed benches, and those with three or four legs.
- Comfort: Benches with a slight backrest offer better lumbar support, which is particularly important in a bar setting where customers may stay for longer periods.
- Ergonomics: If your bar area doubles as a waiting room, consider benches with ergonomic designs to make waiting more comfortable.
5. Individual and Multiple Armchairs
- Purpose: Armchairs offer the most comfort to your guests and can be used for single customers or groups.
- Usage: These are ideal for waiting rooms, making the wait for a table more enjoyable and comfortable.
- Enhancements: Adding coffee tables, access to chargers, and other amenities in the waiting area can improve the overall experience.
6. Custom Furniture
- Purpose: Custom furniture is made to your specifications and can include unique or eye-catching designs.
- Examples: Couches with special shapes, creatively designed tables, or stools made of unusual materials.
- Benefits: Custom furniture allows you to align the design with your restaurant’s theme and concept.
- Caution: Intricate or bulky designs may make customers feel uncomfortable, which can negatively affect their dining experience.
7. Outdoor Furniture
- Purpose: Outdoor furniture is designed for use on terraces or patios and is more resistant to weather elements than traditional indoor furniture.
- Features: Lightweight and durable, these pieces should be easy to move in and out daily.
- Design Considerations: In high-end settings with scenic views, regular tables might be more suitable than tied-down outdoor furniture.
- Protection: Ensure that outdoor furniture is shaded to prevent customers from being burned by hot surfaces. Large umbrellas are often sufficient for this purpose.
Conclusion
Selecting the right types of furniture for your restaurant is crucial for creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. Each type of furniture serves a specific function and contributes to the overall aesthetic and operational efficiency of your establishment. By thoughtfully choosing the right pieces, you can enhance the dining experience and make a lasting impression on your customers.
