Restaurant Chairs Guide

Restaurant Chairs Guide

Your restaurant's decor is a visual que letting your customers know what to expect when dining in your establishment. A very large part of your decor is your furniture and especially the chairs. While tables can be covered by table cloths and plates, chairs are always the front and center of any location and should represent your cuisine as much as possible. This guide will help you in the process of choosing the right chairs for your restaurant.

The Difference Between Residential and Commercial Chairs

Commercial furniture is often crafted with heavy use in mind. It can withstand environmental changes, like being moved often or jostled around. The materials used are of high quality and durable enough to provide a longer-lasting end result. The goal with commercial furniture is to aim to replace it every ten years, meaning that the designs are typically more neutral and less eye-catching since they need to be fluid enough to adapt to different trends. Residential furniture isn’t created with as sturdy materials and is usually found in designs that aim to follow trends and be more in vogue. It also tends to be cheaper but since it’s not built for commercial use, it won’t last as long. Getting ten times, or even more, usage than a typical residential chair means that commercial chairs are subjected to far more stress in their lifetime.

Metal chairs are the strongest and most durable seating option. They come in various shapes and sizes and are covered with a protective finish for extra durability. Built with 16 gauge, fully welded steel with continuous root welds at stress points for maximum strength and endurance metal chairs come in a variety of frame finishes and textures. Most metal chairs also come with the option of a solid wood seat or a padded seat with commercial grade foam. There are ways to customize the seat by choosing a wood finish or selecting from various vinyl or fabric upholstery options.

Commercial grade wood chairs are usually required to meet safety standards such as being able to support a certain amount of weight and are built using mortise and tenon style construction. The wood chairs undergo a rigorous 7 stage staining process, for a resilient shine and are available in a selection of stains. Our wood seats are made of 1-inch-thick wood and the padded seats are typically upholstered in commercial grade vinyl or fabric. High density foam ensures the seat keeps its shape and remains comfortable even after years of repeated use.

Types of Restaurant Chairs

There’s technically no such thing as a “restaurant chair”, which is to say, no one has ever invented a specific type of chair designed exclusively for use in eateries. Rather, there are several different types of chairs that are used in the restaurant business.

These include:

This is the common term used for commercial chairs without arms and are typically for indoor use, but some exceptions can occur outdoors. They come in many designs from modern to traditional. These chairs are also space savers since the seat can fit under the table.

Basically side chairs with arms making them more prestigious looking. The main advantage of restaurant chairs with arm rests is the level of comfort they provide. Chairs of this variety are more ergonomic allowing customers to enjoy their meal in luxury.

Perfect for bowling alleys and food courts these are fixed chairs which are bolted to the floor with a metal base. They help save floor space and are safer than free standing chairs which can fall over. Bolt down chairs come in many styles such as modern or traditional.

The seat and back are upholstered and padded. Most popular are the Parsons chairs and the club style. In addition to the comfort they provide these fully upholstered restaurant chairs add a contemporary look to your dining area.

Commercial Patio Chairs

Creating an outdoor dining space benefits both your business, customers and employees. From restaurants to hotels, it can be a tough task to find the right outdoor furniture at the right price that has the durability and staying power designers are looking for.

Outdoor chairs can be made of various materials such as aluminum, steel, faux rattan, plastic teak and resin. These materials are waterproof and UV resistant. They are also non-corrosive materials that are resistant to rust and pest infestations. Another advantage to these materials is they make the chairs lightweight and easy to move. There are various styles of outdoor chairs to fit different decors and themes such as modern, industrial, tropical, beach and casual. Below are some of the most common patio chair styles.

Parisian Style

These chairs can be seen at many French sidewalk cafes and are made with an aluminum frame and faux rattan or resin wicker upholstery. Not only do these materials block out UV rays but they can also withstand heavy rain. They’re strong and durable and will last for years without losing their looks and can be easily cleaned with a damp rag.

Faux Teak

Common in restaurants with a coastal or maritime theme they are made with faux teak, a material also used on boat decks because it is waterproof, UV resistant and highly durable. They come with a lightweight, aluminum frame.

Tolix Style

Also called bistro style chairs, these chairs have an industrial look that is popular with many modern venues. Made with a weatherproof metal frame, the seats usually have drainage holes, are lightweight and also stack for easy storage.

Beach House

These metal chairs have a casual beach style that is made for outdoor use. They typically have small holes in the back and seat for air flow and come with a zinc plated, powder coat finish.

Popular Restaurant Chairs Styles

There are many restaurant chair styles to go with various motifs and themes. Below are some of the most popular styles.

Industrial

This is a style that has been gaining in popularity in recent years. These chairs often have a minimalist, utilitarian look that goes well with both modern and traditional decors. Industrial design is rising in popularity, not just at home, but also in restaurants and cafés everywhere. The way a restaurant or café is decorated is a determining factor in how guests experience a cup of coffee or a dinner. To help you transform your place into a trendy, industrial hotspot the usage of the proper materials is essential in creating just the right industrial look and feel in a space. This includes industrial style chairs, which are usually made with a metal frame and may have a wood back or seat. The use of distressed wood is often used with this style for a vintage look. Also dark gray or clear coat metal frame finishes add to the industrial look.

Modern

The modern style is a flowing combination of aesthetics and usefulness that features sharp angles and clean lines. The ambiance of this style brings an airiness and light element to the room. Typically, modern style restaurant chairs include streamlined pieces often constructed of metal with unique shapes. Oftentimes this type of style is either sleek and simple or bold and whimsical. In terms of colors for dining chairs in restaurants, wood tones with gray and black materials are trendy for neutral chairs. However, if you're looking for a pop of color, bright blue, green, red, and neon colors as accents can work wonderfully. Having a neutral restaurant with bright, modern chairs will make your restaurant memorable and unique.

Vintage

Vintage style restaurant furniture adds a rustic feel to an establishment. It is a versatile style that can be catered to fit any decade from the past. In fact, it is now popular to fuse vintage furniture with modern selections. This includes retro, mid-century style furniture and chairs from other periods. Today, this style is not just about antiques; country touches and printed fabrics. Vintage style restaurant furniture now embraces rustic tables paired with modern chairs or present-day hanging lights over Amish country tables. With contemporary glass art coupled with vintage décor, your customers will be content as they dine in a comfortable yet elegant style.

Traditional

Traditional style restaurant chairs, have a classic look that can blend in with many types of interior designs. The classic ladder back and vertical salt chairs are good examples of traditional style commercial chairs. Both are very popular with restaurants. These chairs have a timeless look that never goes out of style and often gives the venue a prestigious look. They usually have a sturdy wood or metal frame and have a padded or wood seat. Traditional style tends to favor rich wood tones such as walnut, cherry or mahogany. Traditional style restaurant chairs have proven their endurance as a style that continues to thrive.