When you start a cafe or restaurant, or are simply looking to give an existing one a refresh, the furniture you choose can dictate the look, feel, comfort, and functionality of the space. Not only do you have all of this to consider, you always have to buy with durability and cost in mind; it’s the perfect balancing act. On top of this, you’ll need tables, chairs, accessories, and decor which all fit your space, aesthetic, and budget. 

To help you find the right restaurant furniture, we thought we would break down some of the different materials on offer, and why they may or may not suit your business needs. To keep things short and sweet, we will start with tables. You can read up on other other aspects of cafe and restaurant furniture in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on our blog.  

As you consider different table materials and options, make sure you keep these 5 tips in mind:

1. The space and aesthetic of the environment that the furniture will go in.
2. The maintenance requirements of the material.
3. Is it dual purchase and/or suitable for both inside and outside environments?
4. The ideal customer and what they look for.
5. Make sure everything is commercial grade and comes with a warranty.

Let’s start with the table top.

Commercial Table Tops

When it comes to table tops, there’s lot of options on offer. Your choice of top can significantly alter the look and feel of the space, so it’s best to think about the overall feel before choosing your table. 

Aluminum

The most popular and practical choice for outdoor and fast food restaurants, aluminium tables are lightweight, cost effective and really easy to clean. 

Solid Wood

For indoor, fine dining and exclusive club settings, wood is a widely chosen table top option. It offers stylish looks, warmth and quality, however it also requires a much higher level of cleaning and maintenance in order to stay in good shape. 

Veneer

For the perks of wood without the rigorous cleaning? Veneer is your best option! 

It’s affordable, isn’t prone to warping or splitting like wood and is also more environmentally friendly. 

Laminate

If you want to avoid wood and aluminium, laminate is another good option. With antibacterial and flame resistant properties, they are a great choice for restaurant tables which attract a lot of traffic.

Got your table tops chosen? Let’s discuss the table base. 

Your shape and style of table top will obviously come into play when deciding on the base, however it always pays to understand all the options available to you so you can make the best decision. 

Commercial Table Bases.

The two things to consider when choosing a table base is style, material, and functionality. Will the tables be moved around a lot, for example for functions? This can impact the weight of the tables. Will they be used inside and outside? Depending on the weather where you’re located, this can limit the material you’ll need. 

Table bases come in several forms:

X-style base

This cross style top is better suited to square tables. These are often chosen as they offer functionality around multiple table settings, and larger groups. 

Disc style base

A circular ‘disc style’ base is most commonly used for round tables, for obvious reasons. Depending on the size of the table, this could limit the amount chairs can be pushed in which can impact the seating arrangement and capacity.

Extended style base

If you’d like extended or rectangular tables in your cafe or restaurant, you can utilise the support of an extended style table base. 

Once you’ve decided on your table base structure, you’ll have the options of 3 main types of material, being cast iron, aluminium, and stainless steel. Aluminium is the most popular due to its affordability, anti-rust qualities and lightweight frame. Cast Iron and stainless steel are both heavy and very sturdy, making them harder to move around when needed. Stainless steel also has a price tag which is typically 2-4 times that of aluminium, for a similar look and feel, which leaves it often overlooked.

The all in one solution: the Nardi Outdoor range

Another option, which is becoming more and more popular due to its durability, stylish looks, and affordable price, is the wide range of Nardi Outdoor furniture. 

The Nardi product range centred around high-quality polypropylene, a thermoplastic resin, due to its functionality, flexural strength and aesthetic. The product range covers a wide range of residential and commercial furniture needs, including dining furniture, garden settings, poolside lounges and a vast range of outdoor tables and chairs.

You can read more about how Nardi’s range of colourful products are changing the game in the indoor, outdoor and commercial furniture here.

While it may seem like a lot of choices for something as simple as restaurant tables, making the right choice from the beginning will save you a lot of stress, money and space configuration issues down the track. If you would like to discuss your restaurant, cafe or other commercial or residential furniture needs, our experienced team is always available to help. Contact us at our Noosa store on 07 5449 9336, our Warana store on 07 5493 4277 or through our website here.