How to Choose the Ideal Furniture for Your Café
Opening up a new café can be a daunting task. Not only do you need to write up a detailed business plan, find an attractive location and come up with a unique menu, you also need to think about your café’s interior design. And the choice of furniture is a crucial part of the experience you want to portray. After all, your visitors will be seated all the time, and the more comfortable they are, the more likely are they to stay longer and treat themselves to other items on the menu. So, it goes without saying that every café owner should invest a great deal of effort in choosing the perfect pieces of furniture. And the following tips can help you make the right choice.
Look for Commercial-Grade Quality
First of all, don’t make the mistake of buying standard residential furniture. This type of furniture is not designed with heavy use in mind and doesn’t have what it takes to stand up to the busy café environment. With that being said, make sure to focus your search on designer commercial furniture. Although commercial grade chairs, tables, sofas and booths might cost more initially, they are a more reliable choice in the long run as they are able to handle everyday wear and tear for years. For even greater peace of mind, look for furniture suppliers that can offer you a long warranty.
Come Up with a Theme
Having a particular concept or theme in mind is something that can be very helpful when searching for designer commercial furniture. A theme can tie the different furniture pieces together and create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. If you’re going for a retro theme, consider using bold colours such as red, teal or yellow, or using booths if you want to capture a diner-like vibe. For a more minimalist look, a mix of black and white can be a great choice. And if you’re considering a soft/earthy theme, look for furniture made of natural materials such as timber or rattan and use colours such as cream, chocolate or soft pink.
Consider Your Customer Base
What kind of café are you going for? Will your place cater to serious, business-oriented individuals? Then use a mix of small tables for private one-on-one conversations and longer banquet tables for team meetings. Do you want to attract a young and hip crowd? In that case, seating arrangements that promote lounging such as sofas, armchairs or booths are great for creating an easy-going, laid-back atmosphere. And if your place is only meant to be a quick stop for people on limited coffee breaks, consider using tall tables and bar stools.