Opening a new restaurant is a huge undertaking. From choosing the right location and crafting an appealing menu to hiring top-notch staff and creating a positive buzz about the venue, there are numerous things to consider. Near the top of the list is décor.
What will your restaurant look like? What kind of vibe will it give off?
After all, the first impressions of customers count. Combining good food and excellent service with a great environment can turn an experience with a new restaurant from merely satisfying to highly memorable.
That said, picking the right kind of restaurant furniture and fixtures is a great way to enhance both your eatery’s interior design as well as influence its branding. The choices you make about the reception area, seating, custom storage solutions, and display cases have a huge impact on ambiance, tone, and the overall dining experience of your patrons.
Restaurant furniture comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. To help you decide on options best for your situation, Holland’s Custom Cabinets has identified six factors to consider when choosing new pieces for your eatery.
1. Assess Your Restaurant’s Requirements
Regardless of the type of restaurant you have, every establishment is unique with its own requirements. For example, having a formal waiting area at a high-end restaurant may be a given, while for a café, simple booths or chairs may suffice.
When exploring restaurant furniture options, consider the overall design and layout of the space, the type of cuisine you serve, the way you seat guests, the ambiance you want to create, and your chosen theme. Are you going for a modern, contemporary feel, or are you trying for an old-fashioned, vintage aesthetic?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be better able to start making a list of the restaurant furniture you need.
2. Prioritize Function and Comfort
It’s a given that your restaurant furniture needs to please the eye as well as fit your overall theme. However, that doesn’t mean you should compromise functionality and comfort. After all, one thing customers expect when they visit a restaurant is to be able to enjoy their meal in comfort and style.
Basics to consider are whether your restaurant furniture matches the size of the space. Does it overpower, is it too small, or is it just right? Furniture that doesn’t align well with the space it occupies, can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and lack functionality. Remember, you are trying to create a balance between form and function, so look beyond aesthetics when choosing.
3. Use Quality Materials
Popular restaurants are typically frequented by people of all ages and sizes. Therefore, restaurant furniture should be able to withstand high traffic and rough use. To do so, you need to invest in restaurant furniture made from high-quality materials that protect against moisture, temperature variations, child-related messes, and general wear-and-tear.
Holland’s Custom Cabinets recommends the use of soft fabrics in upscale, fine-dine restaurants, while casual, café-like environments use faux leather upholstery or folding chairs.
4. Stick to the Theme
Choosing restaurant furniture that reinforces your theme is important for setting the right tone. You should keep aesthetics, demographics, and overall atmosphere in mind when selecting restaurant dining furniture. Doing so will help you stick to your theme plus you just might enjoy the process a bit more!
For example, high-end restaurants will opt for furniture that’s very different from what’s typically deployed in quick service outlets. The last thing customers expect at an upscale restaurant is to be seated on folding chairs. They look forward to sturdy, comfortable, and elegant chairs and tables. Similarly, if you’re catering to a younger demographic, consider a more playful, colorful, or rustic theme.
You may also want to ensure the décor reflects your own personality because (with any luck) you’re going to be associated with it for a long time to come.
5. Try Out Versatile Pieces
Smart restaurant owners choose restaurant furniture that is multipurpose and easy to use. Such furniture allows staff to focus on providing excellent service rather than wasting time cleaning stubborn stains.
Many eateries promote versatility by mixing both modern and classic multifunctional, restaurant furniture pieces. Doing so provides comfort to guests and convenience to staff. For example, extra storage can be hard to come by when dealing with small spaces. In these cases, seating systems equipped with extra storage can be life savers.
6. Think about Durability and Maintenance
You should plan for your establishment to be in business for many years, so you need to invest in restaurant furniture that will stand the test of time. Making the right choices now can serve you and your patrons well down the road. Consider how many guests you can serve in a shift, how often the space will need to change, and how much wear and tear the furniture will endure.
A good rule of thumb is to purchase only commercially-rated restaurant furniture. If you plan to work with a custom cabinet maker, make sure they can provide proof their products are able to withstand daily wear, rough use, and are easy to maintain.
You should also ask about warranty coverage so you know exactly what you’re buying. For example, how are you covered in case a piece breaks during transit, upon arrival, while it’s stored, or even while it’s in use?
Holland’s Is Your Go-To Provider of Commercial Restaurant Furniture
Apart from the food, your restaurant’s ambiance plays a defining role in its success and popularity. One of the most important factors influencing first impressions of restaurant goers is the furniture you use.
With Holland’s, you get quality craftsmanship that lets you to express your restaurant’s unique personality, solve storage challenges, boost productivity, enhance aesthetics, and increase property value. Our licensed, bonded, and insured team is known for its responsiveness, design flexibility, and flawless attention to detail. No matter the size of your project, we work hard to be the contractor you’re most eager to invite back.Call us at 619.443.6081 or fill out our online form today to discuss your requirements in greater detail.
