Restaurant and Café Furniture: How to Choose Commercial-Grade Chairs, Tables and Booths

Restaurant and café furniture works much harder than furniture at home. Chairs are dragged, stacked and sat on all day; tables are wiped constantly; booths take years of wear. Choosing furniture that is built for commercial use — and specifying it clearly — saves a lot of trouble after opening.

Chairs: frame first

The frame decides how long a chair lasts.

• Metal frames (steel or aluminium) are strong, light and easy to clean — ideal for busy cafés and outdoor areas.
• Solid wood frames feel warm and premium. Look for well-made joints and a durable lacquer finish.
• Upholstered chairs add comfort for longer meals — choose fabrics and leathers rated for commercial use.

Ask about stackability if you need to clear the floor for cleaning or events.

Upholstery: comfort and cleaning

Upholstery should look good and survive daily cleaning. Common choices include:

• PU or faux leather — easy to wipe, practical for cafés and family restaurants
• Genuine leather — premium and long-lasting, develops character over time
• Commercial fabrics and velvets — softer and warmer; choose durable, easy-clean options

Always approve a fabric or leather swatch before production — colours look different on screen.

Tables: tops and bases

• Tops — solid wood, wood veneer, laminate, stone or sintered stone. Stone and sintered stone are durable and premium; laminate is practical and budget-friendly.
• Bases — a central pedestal base gives more legroom and is easier to arrange; four-leg tables feel more traditional.

Choose one support style per table. A stable, levelled base matters more than you might think — wobbly tables are one of the most common customer complaints.

Booth seating: built to your floor plan

Booths make the most of wall space and create a cosy feel. Because they are built-in, they should be made to your exact measurements. Send:

• The wall length and any corners or curves
• Seat height and depth
• Back height and style (plain, channelled or button-tufted)
• Upholstery choice

Curved and U-shaped booths are popular statement pieces — they just need careful measuring.

Bar stools

Match stool height to your counter: bar-height counters need taller stools than standard counters. Footrests make a big difference to comfort, and swivel seats suit busy bars.

Plan the layout before you order

Work out quantities from your floor plan rather than guessing. Leave enough space between tables for staff to move easily, and mix seating types — booths along the walls, two-person tables that can be pushed together, and bar seating for solo guests.

Keep it consistent

Choose chairs, stools and booths from coordinated ranges so finishes and colours match across the space. When everything comes from one supplier and one shipment, consistency is much easier to achieve.

See our commercial and home furniture, read our café fit-out preparation guide, or send us your floor plan for a furniture quote within 48 hours.