A1 Restaurant Supply » Restaurant Furniture

The Best Restaurant Tables

Jennifer — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:15:09 +0000

Restaurant tables are an integral part of furnishing the restaurant, which is why finding the best tables for your restaurant is important. Choosing the table design is dependent on what type of restaurant, the décor of the restaurant and the budget that is available for furnishings.

The first consideration is going to be the type of restaurant. There are specialty tables for some restaurants that should be used, such as bistro tables for use in bistros. Traditional Chinese tables are lower to the ground with patrons seated on cushions. If the restaurant is going to offer family style dining, the tables will need to be larger than those found in an intimate dining setting.

If the restaurant is going to have bar area that also offers dining, then there will need to be bar tables. Bar tables are typically taller than the main dining room tables and smaller as well. In addition to bar tables, restaurants with patio dining must find suitable tables for outside dining.

Cafe Photo by Rodolfo Belloli

Table for outside dining are going to be different from the inside dining area. They are most likely going to be made of iron and weather resistant. These may or may not have a poly coating on top.

The material the table is made of should match the décor of the restaurant. Tables can be made of wood, iron, or even stainless steel metal. The material should be sturdy and easy to keep clean. The table tops should have a poly coating or protective coating to protect them from damage. There are some restaurant tables that have ceramic tile patterns that complement the restaurant’s décor. The key to choosing the table top is to make sure it has some type of scratch resistant coating to prevent damage. If the table is going to be covered in linen, the look is not as important but it should still be durable.

Restaurant tables come in various sizes and shapes to accommodate many different needs. All restaurants should have tables that can be pushed together to accommodate large groups if necessary. There should also be several smaller, more intimate tables for couples. Round tables make nice family dining tables and can be purchased that seat 6-8 people. However, round tables don’t pull together to make larger tables well.

The ultimate design of the tables will be based on the layout and size of the restaurant. Tables should not be purchased until that has been determined. The ultimate goal is for everyone to be comfortable and enjoy their dining experience. The tables should not be so close together as to be hard to walk around. It is better to have to pull tables together if needed than to have an overcrowded dining room.

Restaurant tables should also include a few booths if practical for the restaurant. Many couples enjoy booth seating due to it being more intimate. The tables that go with booth seating can usually be purchased in the same pattern as the tables that are being used elsewhere in the restaurant.

Restaurant furniture dealers can be found on the Internet or in the phone book. They will be able to assist in picking out the best tables based on the design of the restaurant and the budget involved.

-Sharon V. Chapman

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The Best Restaurant Chairs

Jennifer — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:11:06 +0000

The furniture in a restaurant is an important part of making the atmosphere enjoyable and makes customers want to return. No matter how good the food is, if people are not comfortable and enjoy the atmosphere, chances are they won’t return, that is why finding the best restaurant chairs for your establishment is important.

When designing the plans for the restaurant the interior design and decorating should be considered a high priority. Seating is one of the most important of the decorating choices. Chairs are very important to the comfort of the customer. A comfortable seat can make them stay and enjoy the service, food and beverages longer than an uncomfortable chair and this in turn means more profit.

Not only should the chairs be comfortable, they must also be easy to maintain and move around. Durability is a must in restaurant seating as the chairs will inevitably be the victim of more than one spill during its life. Other factors to take into consideration when purchasing restaurant chairs include:

* Workmanship: Customers might not notice if the chairs are made by a reputable dealer or not; however, poor workmanship is going to show in the long run when the chairs become wobbly or loose. Look at other restaurant’s furniture, particularly ones that have been open a long time, if their furniture is in great condition, ask where they purchased it.

Workmanship also relates to the safety of the chairs. If a chair were to fall due to poor workmanship and injure the patron, the restaurant could be held liable for injuries. Make sure the chairs are sturdy and if possible have a warranty with them. The company they are purchased from should have a weight limit posted in the specifications for the table. Be sure to purchase chairs that will stand up to heavy use and heavy adults.

* Flexibility of Use: Chairs purchased for use in a restaurant often wind up being moved around and rearrange very often. Large groups arriving together often pull tables together to make room. The chairs should be versatile enough to fit into any arrangement necessary.

* Materials: Restaurant chairs must be made of high quality, durable materials. Chairs shouldn’t have to be replaced on a yearly basis. The cloth or cushioning of the chairs should be stain resistant. Stitching should be tight with no loose threads showing. If the material is thin, chances are it is going to wear quickly and have to be replaced. This is not good financial planning. Paying more for a quality chair that will last for years is cheaper than replacing chairs.

* Design: The design of the chair is important in that it should match the décor of the restaurant. The chairs should match the décor without overpowering it. An interior decorator can help with matching the chairs to the flair of the restaurant. If the chairs picked out don’t match, they can possibly be recovered to match.

* The height of the chairs is also an important consideration. Some restaurants use the same style chair in differing heights for the bar area and the dining area. Bistro style tables will require bistro type chairs but they should match the décor of the other chairs in the restaurant.

Restaurant seating is an important consideration when designing the layout of a new dining establishment. Create a comfortable, inviting atmosphere that beckons guests back again and again.

-Sharon V. Chapman

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Restaurant Tables

Jennifer — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:50:51 +0000

Restaurants couldn’t function without tables unless they were a to-go only business. Purchasing restaurant tables requires knowing the design of the restaurant, the budget that is available to spend, and what the décor of the restaurant is going to be.

Restaurant tables are available in round, square and rectangular shapes. Using the floor layout for the restaurant make a preliminary design and decide how the tables will be placed. This design will help when going to pick out the tables and the number of tables needed.

The tables that are ultimately chose may or may not offer matching chairs, another thing to keep in mind when making a decision. If there are not matching chairs available make sure the tables are easy to match chairs to.

Just as the chairs need to match the décor of the restaurant, so should the tables. Folding metal tables might suffice for a mom-n-pop lunch diner but would not be appropriate for upscale restaurants. The material of the table should be sturdy enough to withstand years of use. In addition they should be easy to clean and maintain. Safety should also be considered. If the restaurant is going to serve mainly families with small children, tables with rounded edges should be considered to prevent injuries.

Table height is another consideration. Tables should be a height that is comfortable for dining without being too high or too short. There are tall tables that are used in bars with tall chairs; some people are okay with these while others find them uncomfortable. Limit these to use in the bar area.

Table Size

Restaurant tables come in a variety of sizes. In restaurant lingo, the number of people a table can seat is called the top, therefore a table that seats six would be called a six top, while a table that seats four would be called a four top.

When purchasing restaurant tables there should be a variety of table sizes to accommodate the different groups of people that visit the restaurant; however, the majority of the tables will be four tops. Four top tables are the most versatile of the table choices. They can be combined to make six or eight tops or used for seating two or three diners.

Several two tops and a few six or eight top tables should also be included. Six and eight top tables are quite attractive as round tables. These make beautiful tables for corner areas that have ample room to allow for the wait staff to move around.

Table selection is an important part of any restaurant plan. Tables and chairs should match or be coordinated to match not only each other but the décor of the restaurant. The dining room is the focal point of the restaurant for guests and should be designed to make them comfortable while they enjoy their meal. Following a few simple guidelines, the dining room can make a lasting impact on guests and be part of a successful business venture.

-Sharon V. Chapman

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Restaurant Chairs

Jennifer — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:47:30 +0000

Restaurant seating is an important part of furnishing an establishment. It is important that the seating be a part of the décor and at the same time comfortable for the guests who will be sitting to have their meals. Seating can be stools, restaurant chairs or booths or a combination of the three. Before making a decision or even shopping for restaurant chairs take the following factors into consideration.

Restaurant Size

The floor size of the dining room will be the ultimate deciding factor when choosing restaurant chairs. Use printed layouts to plan different scenarios and come up with the one that maximizes floor space while at the same time making a comfortable arrangement for patrons. Once a floor plan is decided on make a note of how many chairs will be needed, how many booths, and how many stools, if they are being used.

Restaurant Design

Is the restaurant going to be a dine-and-dash type restaurant, a family diner, or an upscale dinner establishment? The type of restaurant being furnished will ultimately affect the type of restaurant chairs chose. Straight back, simple chairs or booths are perfect for small diners while more comfortable, even plush chairs might be better suited for an upscale restaurant.

Budget

As with any other factor when starting a business the bottom line when making decisions on furnishings will be the budget. Furnishing the dining room can quickly become a bank-breaker. Just because the chairs are eye catching doesn’t mean they are necessarily the best choice. There may be alternates that don’t cost as much. Another option is to watch for restaurants that are going out of business. Good deals can be found at these sales, just be sure to look the chairs over thoroughly to make sure they are sturdy, if not, they might not be safe for guests to use.

What to Look For

With the number of chairs needed, the style chosen and the budget for the chairs determined it is just a matter of looking for a few details while shopping for the chairs. A major detail that should not be overlooked is how easy they are to clean. Restaurant chairs are bound to encounter food and beverage spills. The material that covers the seats should be easy to clean, with few crevices for crumbs to hide in. Stain protector should be applied to the covering to make them simple to wipe down.

Avoid purchasing overly heavy chairs. Guests will be moving them in and out from underneath the table. A chair that is too heavy will be a nuisance to guests and could make them reconsider coming back to the restaurant.

Purchasing restaurant chairs takes time and patience. Remember that guests may sit in these chairs for an hour or more, depending on how long they sit and enjoy their meal and drinks. If possible, sit in any chair that is being considered; make sure that arms and legs are comfortable and not hanging or scrunched.

Guests visiting the restaurant will appreciate the time and care taken when choosing restaurant chairs and will pass along glowing compliments that will bring others to the restaurant.

-Sharon V. Chapman

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