Furniture is a very important component of your venue. It’s not loud, but it’s there.
Even though your guests might not notice as they enjoy their meals or drinks, anyone who has worked within the hospitality industry will be aware of the thought, effort and industry-specific considerations put into making sure that every meal was served and everyone had a seat.
We thought that, given the importance of furniture for hospitality in every venue’s success we would create a guide to help our fellow hospitality stars ensure their furniture does its job as well as it can (and as long as they can! ).
Commercial Hospitality Furniture
Commercial Furniture Vs Domestic Furniture: How Do They Differ? Simply put, commercial hospitality furnishings are durable, high-quality pieces designed to be used in commercial settings such as hotels, restaurants and bars. The furniture in this category includes a wide range of seating, such as dining chairs, sofas and ottomans. It also includes different types of tables, like bar tables and dining tables. Hospitality & Commercial Furniture, which is designed to be durable and adaptable to different interior aesthetics but also to withstand heavy use, is an important element to create inviting, functional spaces. It is a key element in creating a positive customer experience by balancing design and comfort.
Selecting Furniture
You are usually first greeted by the delicious aromas that waft from the kitchen when you enter a restaurant, hotel or cafe. What catches your attention? It’s often the charm of an establishment that catches your eye, accentuated by the carefully curated furniture. Each piece plays a part in creating a unique style and atmosphere. Tables and barstools are not just randomly picked pieces from a shop, but are carefully selected. The tables and bar stools are chosen to reflect the personality of an establishment, enhance customer experience and blend aesthetics with practicality.
Understanding the differences between furniture types and their best uses is the first step in furnishing your business. Begin by identifying the desired ambience, style, layout and quality.
Atmosphere & Style
Furniture in your bar is a key element in creating the right atmosphere. It should reflect the personality and style of your venue. Do you want a rustic, traditional style or a modern, vibrant atmosphere?
- Traditional Style: Darker tones in wood or upholstered seating are best for a classic style.
- Modern Style: To add a modern feel, choose colourful polypropylene stools and chairs to give your home a lively touch.
Layout
Your bar’s layout will determine the type and quantity of furniture that you require. Tables of different sizes and heights can be used to accommodate groups with varying preferences and sizes.
Quality
Which Furniture Should I Use for My Bar? The hospitality industry is characterized by high traffic, frequent furniture movements and a need for quality furniture. Choose commercial-grade furnishings to ensure durability. Warranty can be an indication of high quality.
What’s The Difference Between Indoor And Outdoor Furniture?
Style and aesthetics are not enough. You should consider the location and use of furniture when choosing the right furniture. The Australian climate is not exactly mild, so choosing the right indoor furniture vs. outdoor furniture is even more crucial. Choose furniture that will not be damaged by rain or snow.
Selecting the right material for outdoor furniture
There are some rules that you should follow when choosing outdoor furniture.
Polypropylene can be your best friend when it comes to outdoor chairs that are durable and function well.
Polypropylene is the best material to use if you expect your furniture to be exposed to the sun for long periods of time or in rain. It is light, durable and easy-to-clean. Check that the furniture is UV resistant.
Avoid using solid wood furniture outdoors.
Certain materials cannot be used outdoors. Solid timber, for example, should never be placed outdoors. Heat will expand the wood, causing cracks to form. Timber will expand and contract as temperatures change. Your tables and chairs may end up cracked, bowed or bent.
What Is The Average Cost Of Commercial Furniture?
Prices of hospitality furniture vary significantly depending on the material, design and manufacturer. Material, size and style are the easiest ways to estimate your furniture’s cost.
What Is The Cost Of Commercial Hospitality Chairs?
Polypropylene chairs & stools
Polypropylene Chairs and Stools vary in price. (Anywhere from $50 to $250 per stool) These posts provide insight into potential costs for various types of furniture.
Upholstered chairs and stools
Upholstered chairs will turn heads, and the soft comfort of upholstered furniture is sure to bring back memories. The most varied chairs and stools in terms of price range from $90 to $1000.
Timber chairs and stools
Timber chairs and stools are not priced the same. Timber chairs vary in price depending on the type of timber used. Prices can be anywhere from $90 to $500.
What is the Cost of Commercial Hospitality Tables?
The price of a table will be affected by whether it is made out of wood or laminate. Let’s talk about the impact of materials on your table costs.
Timber tables
The price of timber is largely determined by the origin.
- Due to the limited availability of resources and high labour costs, Australian hardwood tables are among the most expensive.
- The imported timbers from Indonesia and India are cheaper, but they are less resistant to extreme weather.
Consider separate tabletops and bases made of timber if you want to save money. You may have to limit the size of your table and seating capacity.
Laminate tabletops
Comparing laminate to wood, it is more cost-effective.
- Pre-laminated tops come in a variety of colours and are less expensive, but they are not suitable to be used outdoors.
- Compact laminate tops can be more expensive and are thinner, stronger, and weatherproof than pre-laminated laminate tops.
Resin tabletops (e.g., Gentas, Isotops, SM France)
Resin tabletops are durable, beautiful, and affordable. They are more cost-effective because they are not made from solid materials such as timber.
Cost is also affected by the material used to make the table base
- Standard Steel: The most common and cheapest option.
- Cast iron: Costlier due to the time and effort required to create molds for each base.
- Stainless: Steel is the most expensive because of the corrosion-resistant additives.
The cost of outdoor-use items can be increased by adding additional treatments such as galvanizing or powder coating.
Tables are priced according to their size
The cost of your piece will be affected by the size of your table, mainly due to shipping and materials.
- The cost of larger bar tables increases because they require more material.
- The cost of shipping larger and bulkier goods from the warehouse increases.
- Transporting bar tables with fixed footrails is more difficult, which can result in higher freight charges.
- Shipping flat-packed bar table is cheaper than fully assembled tables, but they require assembly upon arrival.
- Choosing a tabletop with a base instead of a bar table can reduce shipping costs. However, it may not provide the desired size.
Style and cost
- Bar tables with slab end legs tend to be more costly. Slab ends are attractive but they can be difficult to seat at the ends.
- Costs can be increased by tables with wheels for ease of movement. The table may be higher than the standard height of a commercial bar table if it has this feature.
How To Fix Common Problems With Hospitality Furniture.
Even the best furniture can have problems. The most common problems by venue type are listed below.
Discolored tabletops are the most common problem with cafe furniture.
It all boils down to our wonderful weather. We always recommend light colors for outdoor settings to avoid this problem.
Broken chairs are the most common restaurant furniture problem.
In the hospitality industry, chairs are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear. Their quality is crucial for their long-term durability. It may seem cheaper to buy low-quality, cheap chairs at first, but the replacement costs, as well as potential liability issues resulting from injuries, can be more costly in the end. Choose chairs of high quality from companies with good warranties. It is important to maintain your chairs regularly.
Here are some useful tips for ensuring your chairs last longer.
- Buy chairs of high quality from suppliers who offer warranties.
- To ensure that your chairs last a long time, maintain a regular maintenance program.
- Beware of chairs with Asian origins unless they are backed by a solid guarantee.
- Consider the climate and the usage conditions in your area when choosing furniture.
The main problem with club furniture is that it does not offer enough flexibility to accommodate groups of any size.
Many venues have a major problem in that they are unable to accommodate groups of different sizes. Clubs are visited by a variety of groups. For this reason, you can opt for lighter, smaller tables with straight edges. These tables can easily be moved together and combined to make larger dining tables.
Commercial Hospitality Furniture: How to Care for it
Furniture that is well maintained will last longer. These informative posts will teach you how to maintain your furniture. Keep in mind that quick cleaning will help prevent stains and maintain the item’s look.
Care for stainless steel products
Use a scouring cloth to clean the surface, following the grain pattern. For stains, use Industrial ScotchBrite silicon carbide pad. For regular cleaning, Mr Steel is recommended.
Care for timber products
Avoid using your outdoor furniture due to cracks caused by weather. Cracks can be repaired with putty, wax crayons or a combination of both. Restore scratched and dented furniture with Master Touch. Feast Watson’s Natural Furniture Oil should be used to regularly oil outdoor-specific woods.
Well-furnished Spaces Can Convert One-time Visitors Into Loyal Customers.
The selection process can be simplified by understanding the specific needs of your venue. This includes style, layout, durability, and cost. It’s important to match your choice to your venue and its clientele, whether you are attracted by the classic appeal of wood, the durability of polypropylene or the luxuriousness of upholstery. You can maximize the life and functionality of furniture by considering factors such as indoor or outdoor use, common problems and detailed maintenance instructions. Furniture is an integral part of any venue. It not only reflects your brand identity, but it also has a significant impact on the customer’s experience. Make wise choices, maintain your space regularly and don’t forget that a well-designed space can turn one-time guests into loyal customers.