How To Pick Furniture For A Restaurant

By Jennifer Pellerito

As they always say, the ambiance in a restaurant is just as important as the food. A restaurant’s décor can have a serious impact on a prospective guest when choosing where to dine. Whether walking by and taking a glance inside or browsing photos online, your guests may subconsciously decide before even tasting a bite of food or glancing at the menu! The furnishings in a restaurant undoubtedly set the mood for the entire dining experience, and you’ll want your restaurant design to complement the cuisine so that guests return again and again.

When designing your restaurant, it may be difficult to pick the right furnishings. You may be constrained by square footage, budget, or simply overwhelmed by the number of options available. Although you may be eager to open for business, consider the following tips when selecting furniture for your restaurant, and you’ll soon be on the path to building a promising establishment that offers not only great cuisine but also buzzworthy style.

Coordinate an aesthetic with your overall concept

Whether you dream of opening a 1950s-style diner or your city’s next trendy hotspot, stick to your theme. This is an important principle of running any successful business – stay on brand. Consistent branding will resonate with your guests, and they will remember the experience visiting your establishment, making them more likely to return or share experiences with friends in person or on social media.

To start, decide on an interior design approach. Will your restaurant be modern, traditional, industrial, transitional or another style? Once you select a theme, be sure your seating, dining tables, cutlery and tableware coordinate. Establish a color palette, decide whether or not to use certain patterns, and select materials for all surfaces. For a contemporary design, you may want to opt for wood flooring, but for a more intimate and soundproof approach, carpeting might be the best route. You may consider pops of bold primary colors in your design or you may feel that neutral earth tones represent your cuisine better. Review the options in advance, and once you make selections, stick with them.

Know your customer

Perhaps the most important factor when choosing furnishings for your restaurant boils down to knowing your customer. If you know what your typical guest wants and needs, you will be on the path to satisfying those wants and needs. Consider your target demographic based on the type of cuisine you are offering and the price point. Your customer may prefer an energetic and fun atmosphere over a quiet and intimate one. Choose your furnishings accordingly: A lively environment may be better suited for wood or metal seating, like this on-trend bistro table and stools set from Diamond Sofa, while for a mellow setting, opt for seating with a bit more cushioning, like the elegant Luna Chair by Lumisource.

When you know your customer, you are in the best position to meet and even exceed their expectations. Customers who know and trust that your establishment offers quality food, service, and atmosphere are more likely to become loyal advocates for your restaurant.

Keep comfort a priority

When selecting furniture for your restaurant, comfort is key. Naturally, you want your guests to feel at home while they dine, making the entire experience as enjoyable as possible. Even though certain furniture items may be very stylish, they may not be a good fit for your restaurant if they simply aren’t comfortable. Guests may enjoy the food but won’t return after sitting in a stiff chair. Plus, guests will likely be more inclined to order that extra bottle of wine or stay for dessert if completely comfortable with the surroundings.

Another guideline to keep in mind: The price tag on a piece of furniture may not always equate to its comfort level. A $600 chair may actually be more uncomfortable than one for just $60. That said, remember that high-quality furnishings can be worth the investment, as they frequently last for years to come in spite of heavy use. Offer your guests a satisfied, full stomach, instead of an uncomfortable seat!

Select high-quality furnishings

It’s easy to overlook the quality of furnishings when trying to stay on budget, but it’s important to remember that high-quality furniture makes a significant impact on the look and feel of your establishment. Spotless furnishings in good condition reflect the quality of the cuisine your restaurant serves. Even more, well-made furniture is often more durable, meaning it will last much longer than low-cost alternatives. Quality leather or textiles used for upholstery will stain less easily, making furnishings easier to clean and maintain. Despite a slightly higher initial investment, your restaurant will remain sturdy for years to come. Quality doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny – try the Sumner Faux Leather and Walnut Dining Chair, which exudes style and quality but also won’t break the bank.

Perhaps even more importantly, when tables and chairs are constructed with quality materials, they are also less likely to break and potentially injure a guest. Be sure to check the nuts and bolts on furnishings before laying out your space.

Consider your floor plan and available square footage

Whether your space is large or small, creating an efficient floor plan in a restaurant is often a concern for many restaurant owners. Considering that the number of seats and tables contributes to the revenue for the day, it’s understandable that many restaurant owners look to maximize the number of people even in the smallest spaces. However, it’s important to maintain a balance in your restaurant so that guests feel comfortable. The worst-case scenario involves guests who can overhear one another’s conversations, taking away a valued sense of intimacy during the dining experience. Keep tables a moderate distance apart to allow guests to feel at ease and also provide enough room for patrons and staff to walk past each other without bumping shoulders.

The shape of tables is also a factor to keep in mind. Do you expect large or small groups to frequent your restaurant most often? You could select the majority of tables for two while offering just a few larger tables for parties of five or more – or vice versa! Try the Metropolis Metal Dining Table for small groups and the Simplicity Espresso Rectangle Dining Table for larger parties.