Restaurant Furniture Blog

Diner Tables – A Place for the Plate

September 27, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

Atmosphere is everything when customers first walk into a diner. All parts of the decor come together to create an ambience, hopefully a positive one. Simple and elegant styles can lend a refined air to the diner atmosphere while the more modern and colorful varieties bring a feeling of fun and relaxation. Diner tables are the space upon which the meal is showcased, making them the starring role when it comes to setting the mood of the restaurant.

The history of roadside diners began with the likes of mobile food carts in the growing cities and stops along the famous Route 66 that spanned much of the country. While mobile food carts veered off into a branch of their own that is still thriving today, diners evolved but then almost disappeared in many places. Nowadays, these quaint and quirky food joints are coming back– whether in the form of restoring and refreshing diners that have been around for many years, or as new diners heralding a bygone era with a modern day twist. Diner tables for these attractions are as varied as the diners they occupy, in design, materials and ambience.

Diner tables can come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles. From a retro-style, harking back to the 50s to very futuristic and modern in design, these tables paint the blank canvas that is the diner. Limited only to the imagination of the diner owner or designer, the type of diner tables that display the number one attraction—the food—are an important decision for the restaurant. If the tables and decor are welcoming and charming, then the overall vibes of the diner will also be welcoming and charming.

In addition to the varied styles and sizes, these tables can be made from a wide array of materials. Materials such as wood, glass, laminate, aluminum, wrought iron are just a few of the options that are available in restaurant table choices. Tables can also be in an array of textures, whether it is all one texture flowing together or a mix and match of various different textures for variety. For example, complementary different types of wood can be used to create a tone-on-tone interest. Or glass paired with metal, maybe wrought iron or aluminum, to craft an object of interest as well as a table to sit at for a meal. Whatever the materials or colors, sizes or styles, diner tables are an important component in setting the atmosphere for the restaurant—almost as key as the food.

Filed Under: Diner Furniture Tagged With: Restaurant Tables

Restaurant Table Bases – A Good Foundation is Key

September 20, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

Restaurant eating is more and more popular as our society grows busier and busier with each passing day. Whether the dining out is fast food just to get food or a good restaurant experience where the meal is enjoyed and conversation is stimulating, this is without a doubt, a restaurant friendly society. When setting up a new eatery, the decor, atmosphere and food are critical elements in the success of the restaurant, yet there are things behind the scenes that are just as important. For example, things such as the restaurant table bases provide the basic support from which everything else stems—literally.

Varying by shape and size, restaurant table bases can be tailored to the type that suits the owner or designer’s vision for the eatery. One of those types is the peninsula variety, where a lone column-type leg supports the entire table at bar height. The table base category goes from that one just described to two legs, three legs, four legs and even more depending upon the table top that is chose to go on the base. Height-wise the bases can be anywhere from the average sit-down table height to a bar height where ultra-tall stools are needed to perch upon. The tall tables and stool style is popular with ice cream parlors and bistros in many places.

In addition to the number of legs and the specific height, the table bases can be customized as to design and materials as well. The restaurant table bases can be made from wood, metal or plastics to suit the purpose and décor of the diner. They can be straight-forward and simple or have some flair such as curlicue legs or elaborate wood carvings give a bit of personal panache to the design. The details are up to the owner and designer.

When building and designing a new restaurant, it is important to find quality, attractive restaurant furniture, including restaurant table bases, that will hold up to high traffic wear and tear. There are restaurant equipment and furniture stores that can be visited, but shopping online has many perks. Most restaurant furniture supply websites offer detailed catalogs the customer can browse through at their leisure, taking a look at all that is available to them. Good websites for such will have readily available telephone number for any questions along the shopping journey. Good quality furniture and attractive decor are both just about as important as the menu and excellence of the food served, for those things showcase the meal for the consumer before a single bite is ever taken.

Filed Under: Restaurant Tables Tagged With: Restaurant Tables

Diner Chairs – Comfort is Key

September 13, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

While sometimes eating out is a mere convenience to get a hot meal in a hurry amid a busy schedule, other times a meal out is a way to get good food paired with good conversation with friends. The atmosphere and food are paramount to a diner’s appeal; however, the seating must also measure up. Diner chairs simply must be comfortable in order to provide a good dining experience and therefore bring customers back again and again.

In the food service business, seating is a varied category. Different types of seating suit different types of occasions. There are diner chairs suitable for general dining and banquet style meals where the flooring is stable and smooth. Some chairs work better for outdoor, office or party usage than others. The basic and versatile diner-style chair will work for most any situation, yet sometimes bar stools or pub chairs suit the circumstance better. Many factors of the dining situation come together in deciding what seating options work best.

When the decision is made to purchase or rent dining chairs for the meal or party that is planned, there are a few key factors to take into consideration. The chairs should be mobile, ease of movement at the table as well as making rearranging and cleaning easier is a vital feature. Simplicity when cleaning is another key point to diner seating options. These chairs will likely be used by everyone from grandparents to teenagers, from parents to rambunctious and bouncy younger children, therefore ease of cleaning is a big deal. Simple spills or sticky handprints, food smears and creative artwork all can be easily wiped from the ideal diner chair legs, seats and backs.

There is one basic key consideration to think about when it comes to quality diner chairs and that is comfort. Comfort is what it is all about, next to the food. If the restaurant has uncomfortable chairs, customers will not be inclined to return for repeat visits and will likely tell their friends about the lack of good seating as well. No matter the time of day the customer sits down in the diner, comfort is key. Comfort in order to gear up for a busy day ahead or helping to unwind from an eventful day just wrapped up is second only to the quality of the food. If the seating is not restful and relaxing, the meal will never measure up. Good food and comfort go hand in hand.

Filed Under: Diner Furniture Tagged With: Restaurant Chairs

Upholstered Booths – Comfort and Style in One Seat

September 6, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

Booth-style seating has been a diner and restaurant favorite for a long time. Simultaneously able to be cozy and intimate as well as fun and inviting, upholstered booths are almost as timeless as the eateries themselves. This type of seating is so attractive and pleasing that it can be found in all sorts of venues, from diners to offices to libraries and churches. Just about anywhere versatile seating with tables is needed a booth can fit the bill.

Upholstered booths provide comfortable, soft seating that envelops the body yet gives enough support at the same time. Customers appreciate the booths for the comfort and welcoming factor, making the meal experience relaxing all the way around. Couples can cozy up in a booth for a private dinner for two, tucked away in a quiet corner. Families can enjoy a rousing good meal with kids of all ages as the booths provide great seating and promote a fun atmosphere as well.

This type of booth covering is ideal for the eatery owner in its affordability and versatility. The wait staff appreciates such for the ease of cleaning, wiping up spills and clearing away messes is an easy one-step approach. Upholstered booths seem to have it all when it comes to restaurant and diner seating. The customers love the inviting comfort and ease of eating with the table between two bench-style seats. The powers-that-be like the affordability, space saving measures and versatility of booth seating. The wait staff and workers appreciate the ease of upkeep and cleaning with this kind of seating set up.

When it comes whether or not a diner or restaurant is a success, the food is of course the star of the show, but great seating runs a close race for second. This is because if the diner’s seating is not comfortable and welcoming, the customers never have a chance to appreciate the good food offered on the menu without being unsettled as far as comfort is concerned. Comfort goes a long way toward setting the stage for the meal long before the food is even ordered, much less arrives at the table. For a winning meal, all the factors must come together to equal success. Factors such as ambience, design and decor, helpful and friendly staffers with smiles, relaxed and cozy seating all come together to create a great dining experience before the menu is even opened.

Filed Under: Restaurant Booths Tagged With: Restaurant Booths

Diner Booths – Cozy Space Savers

August 30, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

Everyone has a favorite restaurant or diner, a place where one can stop in for a good meal and conversation in an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. Diner booths contribute to that attractive ambiance, implying comfort and contentment is to be found ensconced in the deep seats. Awaiting good food sometimes seems like an afterthought when the booths are so pleasing.

1950's Chevie Series Retro Booth

The useful and wide-ranging booth-style seating ideas came about initially as builders aimed to maximize restaurant space. Seeking to fit as many seats as possible into the eatery, the booth was designed so that a table was flanked on each side by a bench-style seat attached to the wall. Diner booths were then found to not only add space to the eatery but to be cozy and soothing as well. Good lighting is a crucial element when it comes to booth seating. Lighting should suit the situation as much as possible with options for dimmer lighting or candles available in addition to the well-lit interior of the restaurant. Most diners want to see their food, yet sometimes the situation warrants softer lighting. From intimate dinners for couples to pleasant places for families to eat, this versatile seating style can suit just about any occasion.

Diner booths can be found in many styles, from heavy leather pub chairs that evoke a feeling of rainy London nights to retro-style rife with red plastics all around complete with table-top juke boxes. The seats of various booths are made with materials that will be comfortable and supple, offering support yet coddling the body into relaxation. Most of such seats will be stuffed with a soft, form-fitting product and covered by quality fabric such as cotton or a pliable, soft leather or vinyl. These types of materials give support yet at the same time are important in comfort. Such comfort brings pleasant feelings forth and causes diners to relax and spend money to eat and drink in such a setting.

Perhaps the most adaptable seating arrangement in the restaurant and food service business, diner booths have gained quite a following. This classic, innovative design is found not only in diners and restaurants, but also in game rooms, bowling alleys, bars, offices and even hospitals and libraries. Wherever tables and chairs are needed to fit in a limited amount of space, the booth is the answer. By providing appealing decor and situational lighting, diners and restaurants everywhere have made the versatile booth an intimate dining experience or a rousing family meal event.

Filed Under: Diner Furniture Tagged With: Restaurant Booths

Restaurant Table Tops – Setting the Stage

August 23, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

Whether eating food at home or out at a restaurant, the table is the canvas upon which the food as art is displayed. With the food being the art, the tables being the canvas, the owner is the artist who brings the two together into a masterpiece. Restaurant table tops have a lot to measure up to in that they must be attractive and inviting to the customer as well as durable and cost-effective to the owner.

Restaurant table tops come in variety of sizes and shapes as well as being made from a wide range of materials. The shapes can be round circles, square, rectangular or even custom cut to any other shape that is desired. The square and rectangular shapes have proven over time to be the most popular. This is because they are so adaptable in the restaurant setting in that they can be intimate two-person dinner tables, fun four-some meal sharing tables or even pulled together to easily hold large groups of family and friends for a party meal. Adaptability like this makes the square and rectangular shaped tables versatile and very cost effective. Multiuse restaurant furniture saves money as well as meets all the needs of the customers.

The table tops for diners and restaurants come either connected to bases or legs or they come completely separate. Assembly is basic and easy to do by simply following the manufacturer’s instructions that should be clear and concise. By purchasing the restaurant table tops as unattached units, the tables can be customized by choosing legs or bases that suit the style of the restaurant best of all. Table tops like this come in an array of colors and patterns to choose from. This is a bonus because then the owner or designer can choose the table tops to blend with decor in colors or patterns. They can also be chosen to specifically enhance ambience by being contrasting colors or soothing patterns, whatever best suits the situation at hand.

Furniture and decor are critical decisions to make when setting up a diner or restaurant. These things are key components in the design that will set the stage for the food, however upscale or casual it may be. If the restaurant table tops are attractive and conducive to the overall atmosphere of the eatery, then success of the entire experience is much more likely. This is why it is important to consider what may seem like small details such as table top patterns and designs. In the end, it is not just the food or the service, but the overall effect that dictates the success of the restaurant venture.

Filed Under: Restaurant Tables Tagged With: Restaurant Tables

Diner Stools – Fun With a Purpose

August 16, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

Modern day diners are simultaneously retro and futuristic in design in that some hark back to older, classic designs while others adopt an innovative sleek look. One thing all styles of diners typically have in common is the types of available seating. From booths to diner stools, seating in these restaurants fits the atmosphere of comfort and fun perfectly.

This Arch Leg Diner Stool with Revolving Seat and Back

Diner stools are available to the restaurant owner in many sizes and styles. While the basic design always means long stool legs with a twist and spin ability, the rest of the stool materials and design can vary. There may or may not be backs of any kind present, depending on the owner’s choice. Some stools are button type with a padded, spinning seat but no back while still other seats have backs of varying heights to rest against.

One type of material that can be used to manufacture diner stools is wood. In the case of stools, the wood is usually heavy and dark, very sturdy and perfectly suitable for bar stools that belly up to a bar. Dim lighting and using the bar itself to lean up against make bar situation an ideal one for the dark, heavy wood. Other stools are likely to be metal such as aluminum, making them light weight and user-friendly for diners and family-style establishments. Another option for this type of seating is a heavy-duty synthetic plastic that is made to stand up to a lot of use. Likely the best choice for diners is the metal such as aluminum option. This type of stool is designed for a lot of use, for heavy traffic flow. The metal holds up well under repeated use by adults and children alike. Another perk to using metal stools in the diner seating is that they are easy to clean, most spills and splashes wipe off easily and the metal shines back up in short order.

Last but far from least, a primary trait that must be found in every variation of diner stool is comfort and relaxation. No matter what material the stool is made from or what design or color is decided upon, if the seat is not comfortable, the establishment will not survive. Good food does not matter if the seating to enjoy that food is not conducive to a relaxing meal. Whatever meal being consumer, at whatever time of day, customers want to sit and relax. If the stool choice can provide that, it is easily worth its price tag.

Filed Under: Diner Furniture

Laminate Table Tops – Durable and Attractive

August 9, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

When outfitting a restaurant or diner, the different types of restaurant furniture needed is wide ranging. From chairs or stools to bars and tables, the list is long. Table tops are one of the most crucial items to choose when setting up a diner. Specifically, laminate table tops are a good choice for many reasons.

In the food service business, furniture must be durable in order to be a good investment as well as provide a great eating experience. If the table top is not attractive, the positive vibes for eating at that particular place can really be thrown off regardless if the food is good quality. Laminate table tops can be obtained in a variety of shapes and styles, so there is sure to be one somewhere that fits the designer’s vision for the diner. With bright colors and varying patterns that can be purchased to match the diner decor, the table tops contribute to an inviting atmosphere while also providing a great backdrop to the food on the menu. Warm, calming colors invoke a sit-down, enjoyable meal time experience while bolder, brighter colors give the robust family-fun feeling to the place.

By obtaining the laminate table tops in basic shapes such as square or rectangular, the versatility and cost effectiveness both rise. Squares or rectangles are table tops that are easily pushed together to provide room for larger groups of diners, making the eatery inviting to those types of groups. If a large group or large family knows the diner will work to accommodate them, they are more likely to visit and eat there again.

Laminate table tops make a top notch choice in restaurant furniture most of all due to their versatility. Not only do these table tops come in a good-sized selection of colors and patterns, and even shapes, but the durability is certainly a big plus. This type of table top can handle high traffic areas and heavy-duty usage while being quite easy to clean as well. Simple soap and water will remove just about any spills and splatters and stains will not set in if wiped up in good time. Oftentimes stains that do set in can be treated and removed, depending on the specific contents/cause of the stain in the first place. Just as comfort is key for the seating in diners, the table top durability is key for cost effectiveness and enjoyment.

Filed Under: Restaurant Tables

Restaurant Stacking Chairs – Seating with Mobility Options

August 2, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

In the running of an eatery in the restaurant business, the list of factors to take into account when setting up and operating the establishment is a long and detailed one. From the food on the menu, what it is and how it’s to be prepared, to the napkins on the table, what type and how soft, great care must be taken to ensure the customer’s satisfaction on all levels. With the customer’s satisfaction comes success. One of the many details to factor in is seating. Restaurant stacking chairs can provide the comfort a customer requires as well as the ease of cleaning and mobility a proprietor needs to have.

Mesa Wood Banquet Stacking Chair

Seating options such as restaurant stacking chairs come in various sizes and shapes and can be made up of many different materials. As long as the chairs have solid frames and comfortable seating with a supportive back, the decorative details can cater to the designer’s whims for decorating the food establishment. Basic metal chairs with varying colors of cushions for the seats and backs are the most common types of seating in diners and eateries everywhere. The ability to stack the chairs makes evening cleaning of the floors in the restaurant much easier than if the chairs must be individually moved around to get to the floor underneath. By stacking and removing the entire stock of chairs to one location, reaching most of the floor space at once becomes much easier.

Perhaps the most important factor of all in restaurant stacking chairs is comfort. If the seating is comfortable, the experience at the diner or restaurant is already on its way to being a good one. Comfortable seating invites the customer to stay awhile, enjoy the meal and definitely tell others and return to repeat the experience again and again. That is what the hope of customer satisfaction is, success at the entire meal experience.

Restaurant stacking chairs are also a good option in the party and event supplies rental business. By opting to offer this type of party seating, mobility is easier in that stacking the chairs can save hauling space by going up instead of out. When setting up for a party, the chairs can be wheeled right to where they are needed in batches containing several seats at once. This saves time and energy in getting the seating space set up for whatever the party occasion may be. Saving time and energy equals happy customers almost every time.

Filed Under: Restaurant Chairs Tagged With: Restaurant Chairs

Commercial Picnic Tables – The Outdoor Dining Element

July 26, 2010 By Dan Leave a Comment

When the weather is nice outside, restaurants and diners that offer outdoor seating to customers find their business stepping up at least a bit. Many customers appreciate dining out and enjoying the fresh air and pleasant weather at the same time, especially in the spring after a cold winter. Proprietors of eating establishments that offer an outdoor dining area have several points to consider when choosing commercial picnic tables and outdoor set ups.

6' Rectangular Picnic Table with Expanded Metal & Rolled Edges

There are two top important factors to take into account when setting up an outdoor dining experience. The commercial picnic tables must be both weather proof and comfortable for the experience to be a success on all levels. Success for the business owner in that weather proof outdoor furniture will last a long time, therefore making it a good investment. It is success for the customer in that the comfort factor is a key one for enjoying a good meal out and about.

Weather proofing commercial picnic tables depends on the materials from which the outdoor furniture is made. Permanent fixtures such as concrete tables and benches are hands down the easiest to clean and maintain. Other materials such as wood, plastic or wrought iron require some attention to the weather. In the event of bad weather, some of the outdoor furniture may need to be stacked and tied down somewhere safe then covered securely with tarps to prevent a complete soaking or being blown about by winds. These efforts are worth it in that many customers enjoy eating outside during nice weather and would not dine out otherwise and miss beautiful outside time.

There are many different varieties of outdoor dining furniture options, from dainty ironwork types to sturdy wood styles. Commercial picnic tables chosen for a sidewalk coffee shop or bistro might be more elegant and delicate, catering to adults most of all. Those fun and colorful burger joints that have big outdoor decks dotted with tough, well-made wooden tables are designed for families and children of all ages. These types of picnic tables are built to withstand a high amount of traffic and boisterous wear and tear. Outside cleanup is easier in several ways and this is always a plus for those working at the eating establishments. Choosing the best picnic equipment to suit the design and service of the eating establishment takes careful consideration of location, desired specific function and most of all, the comfort factor to the customers.

Filed Under: Outdoor Restaurant Furniture Tagged With: Outdoor Furniture