Are you wondering what the best types of chairs are for cafe restaurants? If you own one, you want your restaurant to look appealing and your customers to feel comfortable.
When it comes to restaurant seating, there's a lot to consider. Do you choose wood or metal chairs? Should your chairs have armrests? And what about the upholstery?
We've got you covered. Read on to learn about the best types of cafe restaurant seating.
The Different Types of Restaurant Chairs
Not only are there different styles of chairs, but there are also different materials to consider when it comes to restaurant chairs.
Here are some of the most common types.
Banquet Chairs
As the name implies, banquet chairs are most often found in banquet halls. These types of chairs are both lightweight and easy to stack, making for easy cleanup.
They're fine for casual cafe restaurants and often inexpensive.
The downside? Not all banquet chairs are considered equal, and many are uncomfortable.
Captain's Chair
This style of chair is usually made of wood and has armrests. It has a saddle-style seat and a curved back.
This style of seating has a rustic look. It might work well in cafes with a nautical theme.
Side Chairs
These chairs look a little more upscale and are often quite comfortable. These wooden, upright chairs don't have arms.
They usually have an upholstered seat.
Ladderback
You see this iconic style often in restaurants. These chairs are so named for the ladder-like back they have, giving the chairs some visual interest.
Ladderback chairs come in both wood and metal styles. They can also have upholstered seats for maximum comfort.
Mission-Style Chairs
Mission-style furniture also has a distinct look. This style was popular in the US around the turn of the 20th century. It's often made of oak, meaning these chairs are going to be both stylish and sturdy.
Lattice Back
Lattice back dining chairs have a unique lattice design on the back of the chair made of wooden or metal pieces.
There are simple designs and more complex patterns. The seats of these chairs are usually upholstered.
Choosing the Best Chairs for Cafe Restaurants
When shopping for cafe chairs, you're likely bombarded with choices. So, how do you know which style and material to choose?
Here are some questions to ask yourself as well as tips for choosing a design.
The Style of Your Cafe
Is your restaurant casual or upscale? Do you have a specific theme or color pattern throughout the establishment?
If you have a fast and casual style cafe, you might want to choose chairs with a streamlined design rather than focusing on plush cushioning that can encourage sitting around.
You want the color of your chairs to complement your restaurants. Consider the look and material of your floor, as well.
Similar to how you decorate your home, you can mix wood furniture without it looking weird. In fact, doing so can often create a more welcoming and casual vibe.
Comfort
While your customers are dining in, you want them to be comfortable, or they may not be back.
Wooden chairs without any cushioning can sometimes become uncomfortable after extended periods. If you want to keep your customers around longer, you may want to consider styles that have padded seating.
Low-Maintenance
Unsurprisingly, 85% of customers won't visit or support an establishment with negative reviews about their cleanliness.
Dirty fabric or cracked leather on your chairs can really give your customers a bad impression about the cleanliness of your establishment. You want cleanup to be a breeze, which is why you need to consider the right upholstery options.
Chairs should be comfortable and easy to clean. Vinyl is an easy-to-clean option that comes in a variety of colors and styles, perfect for cafe restaurants.
Metal vs. Wood Chairs
When choosing chairs for your cafe, you may have considered restaurant booth seating, metal chairs, wooden chairs, or some combination of these options.
There are pros and cons to each style, but it ultimately comes down to your preferences and budget.
First, consider the style of your restaurant. Casual cafes and those located in food courts can get away with a modern style that's easy to clean, usually without padding.
If your cafe is more like a coffeehouse and you want to encourage customers to stick around, think of plush seating. Couches and padded chairs encourage consumers to stay longer and perhaps order more off the menu.
Here's what to consider when debating between wooden or metal chairs.
Maintenance
Cleanliness is key in the restaurant business, but wood is often trickier to clean. You can't use just any cleaner on wooden chairs. Using the wrong cleaner on a wooden chair can damage the finish.
Metal chairs are a snap to clean. You can use almost anything to wipe them down. As a bonus, bacteria won't grow well on metal.
Durability
Adding to the last point, you'll want to consider durability when choosing a material. You want your cafe chairs to last for years to come, after all!
Since restaurant chairs get a lot of use, you want to consider both how easy they are to clean as well as how well they hold up over time.
Steel lasts longer than wood. Wood can sometimes get weak around the joints.
Price
Depending on your budget, you might be leaning toward one option or the other. One factor that impacts price is the quality of the material.
In most cases, steel chairs are more expensive. However, they can often last longer and are easy to clean.
You can also find combination chairs made of both metal and wood.
Finding a Supplier for Your Cafe Chairs
There are many different types of cafe restaurants, and there isn't exactly a wrong choice when it comes to picking seating. However, you'll want to consider the style of your restaurant as well as your budget when deciding.
Use the tips above to narrow down your choices and find the perfect fit for your restaurant.
Do you need help choosing a style or want to know more about our selection of chairs and tables? Reach out to us, and we'll be glad to answer your questions!