The choice of furniture is a crucial part of the set-up process of any hospitality establishment and can have a big impact on the overall ambience of your establishment. It can also determine the number and type of customers you attract into your establishment. For instance, if furniture is uncomfortable or outdated, this can immediately turn away your clients. Consequently, the choice of furniture should be made with care and it should match the overall look and feel of your hospitality establishment.
Below we will explore the 4 factors that you need to have in mind when choosing furniture for your HORECA establishment:
Decide about the type of clientele you want to attract and the overall look of the establishment
The first thing you need to do before making your choice of furniture is to decide about the type of clientele you want to attract into your hospitality establishment. Therefore, this will act as your guidance and direction for the interior design and the overall look and feel of your hospitality establishment. For example, a booth-seating area with various bright color combinations, contemporary elements and finish will most probably attract families, students and casual diners whereas the use of high tables and stools with a more romantic and elegant interior may be an excellent option for couples and fine diners. In addition, if the image of your establishment is more minimalistic and modern, then you’ll need to choose furniture that is more sleek and simple, whereas if your restaurant has a more country-style finish, then you may need to look for more rustic style pieces. However, regardless of the type of your establishment, you need to keep in mind that you are not only serving food to your guests, but you are also creating an experience for them and this is usually what remains in their mind and invites them to keep coming back to you.
The size and shape of tables
Depending on the restaurant layout and size, you may need to decide among 2- or 4-seater tables. However, if you usually cater to a larger group of people, then you may need to consider investing in tables of bigger size or placing them alongside each other in order to create a larger dining area. Additionally, apart from rectangular and square tables, round tables are also an advantageous option. This is because they can save you valuable space while allowing for more seating and a much more comfortable and easy seating allocation.
Cushion material
No matter the type of restaurant, one thing is certain; your guests need to feel relaxed, content and comfy. This is where you may need to consider the type of material chosen. In this case, it is important to take into account the efficiency and durability of materials as the wear and tear of time, weather conditions and food scraps may destroy your furniture much quicker. For example, in restaurants which have a high dining traffic, the material chosen should be visually appealing and at the same time it should be able to be cleaned quickly and easily. Examples include vinyl for seats and Werzalit or granite for tabletop, whereas wood is an option to be avoided. For family type restaurants, consider having a certain number of highchairs for your little guests as well.
Stay within budget
Furniture is usually a big investment for any hospitality establishment and even though it is important to follow your vision and instinct and look for exclusive and distinct pieces that will amaze your guests, it is vital to stick within the budget as well. Hence you may consider shopping around to compare prices before reaching your final decision.
As a result, the choice of good quality furniture for your establishment is a profitable investment leading to increased customer satisfaction, brand recognition and a higher turnover. Nonetheless, it is key to take into consideration the overall look and feel that you want to give to your hospitality establishment including your choice of tables, chairs and cushion material, thus making your place look more fascinating, inviting, stylish and comfortable.