Restaurant furniture - 7 mistakes

With extensive experience in supplying furniture to restaurants , EPOCA - Home, Palace & Hotel Concept has witnessed numerous mistakes made by owners over the years.

From overcrowding rooms with as many tables as possible to purchasing furniture in the wrong shape or of lesser quality, these are just a few examples of how poor table and seating choices can significantly impact a restaurant’s profitability.

However, by avoiding these mistakes, you can unlock the potential for increased revenue.

Our aim is to equip every restaurant with the knowledge to thrive.

To achieve this, we’ve outlined 7 common mistakes and their solutions, starting with the most prevalent.

Mistake #1: Placing tables and chairs too close together?

More customers mean more sales. It is natural to want to fit as many tables into your restaurant as possible. But putting them too close means sacrificing customer comfort, making the job of your service staff harder, and even compromising on safety.

You may need more space between your seats than you realize. Consider that you need all the following:

• Space to fit the seats around the table;
• Space to pull the seats all the way out so the customer can sit down and stand up;
• Space between the backs of chairs so that customers don’t feel uncomfortably close to one another when they are sitting;
• Additional space for staff to walk by to serve the food (a service aisle)

We recommend at least 130cm between tables, with an additional 35cm if the space between the tables is a service aisle.

Mistake #2: Placing round tables where square tables would be better

Circular tables might be preferable to fit a particular aesthetic, but they aren’t usually the best use of space. The space in the middle of a circular table goes unused by customers. This is great for a banquet where many shared dishes occupy the central table space. In other dining situations, however, the circular table means wasted space.

A circular table takes up more floor space than a square or rectangular table, which fits fewer people. Therefore, for most restaurants and cafes, a square or rectangular table is a better use of space.?

Moreover, the straight lines of the rectangular table can fit naturally against a wall or room feature, and they can even be pushed together to make more extended tables, making them a more flexible option.

Mistake #3: Placing square tables where round tables would be better

However, that’s not to say that square and rectangular tables are perfect or ideal in every situation! Sometimes, having legs at the corner of a table, as is often the case with rectangular designs, can annoy diners. For the same reason, rectangular designs are more complex to squeeze in additional chairs, whereas a circular table is a little more flexible.

Unlike a large round table, which has wasted space in the center, a small round table is an even more efficient use of floor space than a square table, shaving off the corners. This is why you see small round tables in many cafes.

A round table is also inherently more pleasant, as everyone can easily see others. With rectangular tables, where customers are arranged in a line, it is harder to see and communicate with other customers who are further away. This is why they are preferred at large gatherings, like weddings, where many people are at every table.?

Mistake #4: Not considering the advantages of fixed seating

Fixed seating means tables and chairs that can’t be moved, usually because they are built into the walls or other room fixtures. Think about cafe booths or restaurant benches. A common arrangement in hospitality establishments is to have fixed seating along the walls and regular, freestanding tables and chairs between them in the middle of the room.

The disadvantages of fixed seating are apparent: they are an inflexible option, as they can’t be easily moved once placed. Moreover, it takes additional labor and perhaps a professional fit-out team to install fixed seating in the first place, which adds to the cost.

However, there are significant advantages of fixed seating that are sometimes overlooked.

For example, restaurant owners might already be familiar with the experience of booth seats filling up before the other options. Why is this? The reason is that booths are usually more comfortable and private.

For restaurants and other businesses that benefit from customers staying longer (as opposed to businesses that prefer a high customer turnover rate), the attractive combination of privacy and comfort can keep groups of customers in your establishment spending money.

When you combine this fact with the aesthetic value of fixed seating, you can understand why it is a popular option for hospitality venues worldwide.

Mistake #5: Choosing furniture that is hard to rearrange

Flexibility is a virtue. Depending on circumstances, a venue or restaurant may need to move tables and chairs. A special event such as a wedding calls for a different table layout. There may be live music, and the tables and chairs must be moved to make room for your guests to dance.?

Fixed seating and heavy luxury items have benefits, to be sure (see point #4). But they do come at a cost. It would help if you decided what is

a higher priority for your business: high comfort and aesthetic value or the ability to efficiently change the room to fit the event.

If the latter, you should consider stacking chairs and folding tables.?

Mistake #6: Not considering all types of guests

It’s crucial to remember that customers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and levels of mobility. By ensuring your building is accessible to all, you not only

cater to a wider audience but also demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity.

Consider seat heights. Shorter customers are often going to find tall seats less comfortable. Suppose your restaurant furniture consists of bars, fixtures, tall tables, and high window seats surrounded by tall chairs. In that case, your restaurant will not appeal to these customers. Include some lower seating to accommodate all guests.?

It would help if you had options suitable for all guests, including those with disabilities.

Mistake #7: Not planning out your floor layout with design tools first

The best way to get an excellent restaurant layout result is to consult a professional.

However, if you want to plan independently, at least do so thoroughly and systematically. That means putting together your floor plan with proper CAD software.

These tools allow you to draw out your dining space with specific and accurate dimensions. Then, with the dimensions of the products you wish to arrange in this area, you can visually represent your new restaurant layout. Popular products for this job include CAD Pro, SmartDraw, RoomSketcher, and many others.?

Mistake #8: Not buying quality furniture from a reliable supplier

Many businesses supply contract and commercial furniture. However, not all furniture is created equal, and neither are those businesses.

Furniture, food, and service are central to your restaurant’s offering. You can’t leave this to a supplier who lacks experience or due care.

What makes EPOCA - Home, Palace & Hotel Concept different?

It is two things: meticulous quality control and unrivaled customer service. When we talk to the businesses that buy from us, we treat them as individuals and always remember the humans at the heart of the process.

Take confidence in a contract furniture supplier like EPOCA - Home, Palace & Hotel Concept . Contact us if you want to learn more about what we can offer your restaurant.

EPOCA - Home, Palace & Hotel Concept team.