When people walk into a restaurant and sit down, they may not pay attention to the furniture material. However, the type of furniture you choose can have a huge impact on the customer experience.
Restaurant owners need to make furniture choices based on appearance, guest comfort, and staff needs. See all the benefits of wooden furniture for restaurants and why it’s the perfect fit for any restaurant.
The Demands on Restaurant Furniture
Restaurants need a blend of style and functionality in every furniture piece. This combination provides guests with the best atmosphere and comfort while staying practical so staff can easily clean and rearrange tables.
This is where wood furniture steps in as the hero of the moment. Wooden restaurant chairs and tables have many benefits, making them practical and cost-efficient.
5 Benefits of Wood Furniture at Restaurants
Five main benefits convince countless restaurant owners to incorporate commercial restaurant wood chairs and tables.
1. Durability
Solid wood is an extremely durable material for furniture construction. You can find 500-year-old hardwood chairs and furniture scattered in museums across the world that demonstrate how durable this natural material is. Wooden chairs and tables are thick and hard enough to stand the daily wear and tear of restaurant life, including all-too-common spills and scratches.
Wooden furniture is great for high-traffic restaurants. It can easily support guests of all sizes and will last a long time, even if it serves hundreds of guests every day.
Do you have patio seating? Wooden furniture can also withstand the elements if used outdoors. Certain types of wood, like teak, can be placed outdoors and will withstand rainstorms and dramatic temperature shifts without warping or rotting. Quality teakwood furniture is expensive, however, and there are some environmental concerns with the harvesting of teakwood in tropical climates. Faux teakwood furniture is rugged and extremely durable. It won’t show signs of wear for many years and is ideal for commercial outdoor use.
2. Easy Maintenance and Care
Professionally finished wood furniture is easy to clean. A simple dusting, occasional polish, and a quick wipe down after a particularly messy guest keeps it looking its best.
Wooden chairs that have been well maintained are also stain-resistant. When hardwood chairs are stained and polished, a clear, hard coat of polyurethane is applied over the wood polish that prevents stains from soaking through into the wood. As long as there aren’t scratches in the finish and spills are cleaned up quickly, wood furniture is stain resistant. So, if a messy guest spills wine or marinara sauce on the table, the wood will look as good as new once it’s wiped away. The trick is to make sure the finish isn’t scratched or worn down since spills can be absorbed by natural (unfinished) wood and ruin an entire piece of furniture.
As long as your employees regularly wipe down the furniture and keep an eye out for spills and damage, wooden furniture can stay functional and attractive for decades.
3. Aesthetic Appeal
Wooden chairs like the Novva add a touch of ambiance and charm thanks to their aesthetic value. Built from natural materials, wooden chairs are warm and inviting, adding an element of sophistication to a space that encourages customers to return.
Wood grain also gives every chair and table a distinctive appearance. Each piece has its own unique woodgrain pattern. Consider the beauty of the Davenport Tabletop, a solid wood tabletop from MityLite that will stand the test of time. The unique wood grain patterns of each tabletop add natural beauty to dining areas.
Wooden furniture comes in all shapes, sizes, and styles. You can choose modern, rustic, fine dining, or eclectic styles to enhance the atmosphere and experience of any restaurant theme. Take it further with custom pieces that fit any vision.
4. Versatility to Match any Restaurant Style
Some may think wooden furniture is only suitable for formal sit-down dining experiences, but that’s not true. Thanks to the versatility of different wood types, wooden chairs can fit all restaurant styles.
- Fast Casual: Lighter wooden tables and chairs without all the bells and whistles are perfect for quick meals and frequent turnaround.
- Fine Dining: Heavier upholstered chairs and more ornate tables add prestige to a luxurious fine dining establishment.
- Family Restaurants: Long, sturdy wooden tables and chairs can easily accommodate large groups and families.
- Bars & Clubs: Hardwood stools like our Bulldog Barstools create ideal seating at nightclubs, bars, and other social areas.
5. Enhancing the Customer Experience
Wooden chairs, like our Triumph Armchair, and tables offer guests a comfortable, enjoyable experience. Custom wooden chairs can be upholstered in over a thousand fabric options, or with Customer’s Own Material (COM). You can also request custom wood finishes to match your aesthetic. Wooden chairs are inviting and may encourage customers to stay longer. The longer customers stay, the more likely they are to drive profits at your restaurant by ordering extra drinks and food.
Customers often associate attractive high-quality wooden furniture with a quality dining experience. This perception will attract new customers and build brand loyalty.
Choosing the Right Wood for Your Furniture
Now that we’ve discussed all the benefits of wooden furniture in restaurants, it’s important to consider the type of wood.
Some popular wood types for restaurant furniture include:
- European Beech: This hardwood, which is used in all our wood chairs, including the Toleda Armchair, is hard, strong, and resistant to splintering or breaking even after years of use.
- Pine: This wood is light, easy to work with, and relatively inexpensive. It’s a softwood, however, and isn’t as durable as hardwoods like beech or oak.
- Walnut: This has a rich darker color, is very sturdy, and will last for generations.
- Oak: This is a very common choice thanks to its strength and durability, along with a distinctive wood grain.
- Mahogany: This has a dark red hue, is very strong, and is popular in high-end establishments.
- Teak: This is the best choice for most outdoor furniture pieces as it withstands weather well and is light enough to move easily. It’s often used in high-end yachts and at upscale resorts.
- Maple: This is a light-colored wood with a beautiful tight grain pattern.
- Cherry: This reddish-brown wood is durable and works great in both modern and traditional designs.
When selecting the type of wood furniture for your restaurant, consider more than just the appearance. There are many other important factors to consider.
- Climate: Is your restaurant located in a humid climate or near the ocean or other body of water? Humidity can damage wood. Softwood is more susceptible to rot than hardwood.
- Restaurant Style: Which type of tables and chairs will fit your restaurant theme and make the dining experience more immersive?
- Weight: Will lighter wood types or stackable wooden chairs make it easier to rearrange seating?
Once you’ve decided on wood types, styles, and the number of pieces you need, it’s time to go shopping.
Where Do Restaurants Get Their Furniture?
Your furniture choices can make or break the restaurant experience. Comfortable, yet practical seating options can help make your restaurant a popular favorite.
Explore all the restaurant furniture options MityLite has to offer and find the perfect tables and chairs for your restaurant.
