With a wide variety of woods, colours, and patterns to choose from, it’s easy to see why HPL Laminate is a staple in our food and hospitality industries, laminate table tops are sturdy, and known for their antibacterial properties, so it’s important to keep those tables stain-free, and looking their best!

The surface is easy to clean, and should be cleaned regularly, they require minimal maintenance under normal use and conditions.
When cleaning is needed, more often than not, you can wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth using an all-purpose cleaner such as Dettol or Flash; the use of bleach and harsh cleaning chemicals, particularly those with abrasive properties may result in permanently dulling and scratching your laminate product.

Furniture polish and other wax based cleaning products should be avoided as these clog up the surface structure causing a sticky layer to form, attracting dirt.

For small spillages such as tea/coffee, then your best course of action is to use paper towels, as soon as possible, to absorb the liquid then wipe the area with a damp cloth, for more persistent stains, we recommend household cleaning agents such as Cif, Flash, or Mr Muscle.

More persistent stains such as ink and dyes can be removed by using a stronger detergent or glass cleaner, but the stain should be tackled as soon as possible or it could become permanent. Allow the cleaner to work for several minutes before blotting with a damp cloth and then rinsing. If the stain persists then nail polish remover or paint thinner may be used, this may take a few applications, and should be followed by the cleaning routing mentioned above.

Christmas comes but once a year. And for restaurants and cafes it’s the busiest time of year. Throughout December commercial venues will be catering for everything from office knees-ups to family get togethers. So its vital that your furniture is up to scratch.

As we head towards the busy festive period, now is a great time to take a good look at your contract furniture. Is it looking a bit weary and worn? Will it add to the customer’s dining experience? Why not update some of your furniture to make sure you’re prepared not just for the Christmas rush for the new year too.

Order now for pre-Christmas delivery

With more group bookings expected at this time of year, it’s helpful to ensure that your restaurant tables can accommodate different size parties. For this blog post we’ve selected a few of our contract furniture items that we believe are ideal for busy restaurants.

All our stocked items are available to be delivered in time for Christmas 2019 if ordered by December 16. For bespoke items, you’ll need to contact us by mid November to ensure delivery.

Turning the tables …

First things first: tables. Are your current dining tables fit for purpose? Can you accommodate larger bookings by pushing tables of the same height together? Are they easy to clean? Are they able to withstand heavy use yet still maintain their good looks?

Warner Contract Furniture stock a huge range of contract quality dining tables. You can choose from complete tables, tables bases and table tops.

Perhaps the most versatile option for any venue is to buy table bases and table tops separately. This allows you to customise your dining areas to suit your business needs.

You can mix and match different styles and materials to create the look that perfectly suits your venue and ambience. Choose from metal, solid wood, veneer and laminate finishes and a good range of size options, from 2-seater to 8-seater options.

Even within a range of table bases we can offer flexibility. For example, take our Mayan range. These sturdy yet stylish black cast iron table bases come in round, square, single and double pedestal formats plus a range of heights.

The Mayan range looks good with any of our table tops, including solid wood, laminate table tops and metal. As with our table bases we stock a wide range of sizes and in square, round and rectangular format.

Our Chunky Oak Table Tops are a popular choice for restaurants. Solid wood is always in fashion and can blend in with a host of different interior designs – from contemporary to traditional.

For an even more hard-wearing table, then you should choose from our range of laminate table tops. With a huge range of decorative finishes to choose from – including marble, block colours and wood grain – our laminate table tops are incredibly hard wearing, easy to maintain and will age gracefully.

And for extra sparkle and shine, we also stock metal table tops, including beautiful brass, and copper, which will add to the festive atmosphere.

Pull up a chair …

Restaurant chairs need to be comfortable and hard-wearing. They also need to combine practicality with style so they can complement many different interior designs.

Our Homa Veneer Back Dining Chair is a popular choice. Not only does it look classy, it is one of the most robust chairs available in the UK. It has a solid beech frame supporting a veneer seat and back, stained and lacquered in a darker wenge finish.

It also features a wipe-clean faux leather cushioned seat pad in a choice of three colours: white, cement and mustard. What’s more, when not in use, these versatile chairs can be stacked up to four high for easy storage. Which is handy when those large group bookings turn up.

Restaurant Chairs that are immediately available include: the Trent Dining Chair which features a deep upholstered seat in cream and brown faux leather; and Epsom High Back Dining Chairs, also in cream and brown faux leather.

Other in-stock chairs come in classy burgundy and grey faux leather upholstery, including our Repton Side Chairs, Wave Side Chairs, and Angel Side Chairs.

Making it social …

Restaurants that offer a more contemporary dining experience require a more modern furniture style. Rectangular tables and bench seating offers a great solution. Such dining sets look ‘cool’ and can accommodate larger groups of diners, sharing ‘canteen’ style.

The clean, functional lines of our Tokyo Dining Set provides a minimalist, ‘utilitarian’ look for restaurants and even roof terraces. It comprises a dining table and two bench seats. The frames are made from contract quality steel with a lacquered finish in black or white.

There is a choice of four colour options: black frame with white top; black frame with oak top; white frame with white top; and white frame with oak top.

The Tokyo Dining Table can also be purchased separately for use with built-in upholstered bench seating and other commercial chairs.

And … don’t forget the kids

A Christmas family gathering without the kids is unthinkable. And you don’t want to be turning away business at this time of year. So, now is a good time to check if you have enough high chairs to cope with the Christmas demand.

Our Bambino High Chairs are ideal for use in restaurants. Suitable for children up to three years old, Bambino high chairs include a safety strap and fully comply with BS EN 14988-2017. They are manufactured from sold beech hardwood and come in choice of natural or walnut wood stain.  Bambino high chairs can be easily wiped clean after use and can be stacked (up to four high) to save space when they’re not needed.

We hope we’ve given you some food for thought about how you might refresh your restaurant furniture in time for the Christmas period. But remember, commercial furniture isn’t just for Christmas – it’s for life! Our contract quality tables and chairs will stand the test of time.

How we can help

Our sales team has the know-how to help you find the best contract furnishing solution for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel or activity centre.

We are continually adding new products to our range but if you can’t find what you’re looking for let us know. Our commercial furniture contacts and in-house team relish a challenge and we are happy to provide bespoke solutions.

Standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we source the majority of our stock within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours.

Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.

As the end of the year approaches, we thought we’d indulge in a bit of crystal ball gazing. What will 2020 bring in terms of interior design trends? And how is this likely to influence the look of pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality venues?

When it comes to hospitality design, creating a unique look is key to achieving business success. Increasing competition from home delivery companies such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo, means that cafes and restaurants need to offer more than just great food. Discerning consumers are looking for more of an ‘experience’ when they dine out.

And earlier this year at The Pub Show, a report was released that revealed what pub goers really want. Survey participants were asked to list the most important factors influencing their choice of pub. ‘Atmosphere’ was by far the most common answer, followed by a ‘decent outdoor space’, ‘interior design’ and ‘good background music’.

Hotels aren’t immune from the changing demands of customers either. Hotel lobbies are becoming less like waiting areas and more like modern living rooms and spaces to socialise in. These so-called ‘lifestyle lobbies’ focus on providing a personalised experience for travellers.

In this blog post we look at four key trends that we think will impact the interior design of commercial interiors over the coming year.

The Instagram Factor

There is no escaping the fact that venues need to consider their Instagram ‘worthiness’ as a key part of their design. Our previous blog post about Boosting Your Venue’s Instagram Appeal looked at this phenomenon.

Apparently young people (18-35 year-olds) now spend the equivalent of five days a year browsing food images on Instagram. And many will base their decision on which restaurant to book based on its Instagram presence.

So being Instagram ready is now a key requirement for bars, cafes restaurants and hotels.  This means paying careful attention to colours, lighting, furniture, and creating photogenic spaces.

Sustainable Materials

Concerns about sustainability and the environment will continue to have a huge impact on all areas of the hospitality sector. The industry has already taken important steps to reduce the use of plastics in food service. In 2020, we’re likely to see greater demand for recycled and sustainable commercial furniture.

Ten years ago the the British Furniture Manufacturers Association produced a report on a two-year study into Zero Emmissions From Office, Contract and Kitchen Funiture. Recommendations included procuring more sustainable materials, cleaner design, and greater recycling of materials into new furniture.

It’s not surprising then that one of the major factors influencing interior design trends for 2020 is ‘Zero waste’.  Expect to see a greater use of raw and unfinished materials as well as upcycled and recycled materials.

Examples of familiar materials that are already ‘eco-friendly’ include concrete, brick, cork and natural wood. We already see these materials used widely for flooring and structural elements.

Other materials that might become more prevalent for soft furnishings and upholstery include: raw/organic cotton, calico, bamboo, jute, hemp, ramie and linen.

Biodegradable Chip(s) Board made from potato peelings. Photo credit: Dezeen.com

We were intrigued to learn about an innovative new material made from potato peelings that can be used as a substitute for single use chip board and medium density fibreboard (MDF).

MDF is widely used in furniture manufacture and is the base for many laminate materials used in table tops, But it contains formaldehyde and other toxic resins and chemicals. And some 140,000 tonnes of MDF is disposed of or incinerated every year.

By contrast, the new wood substitute material – called Chip[s] Board – is fully biodegradable and non toxic. Innovations like this will have a huge impact on reducing the environmental impact of the hospitality industry.

Colour Palettes

The use of colour in interior design schemes is always evolving. Anyone remember the hideous orange and brown era of the 1970s? Colours come in and out of fashion and seem to reflect the general mood of society.

So, it’s interesting to know that one of the most on-trend colours of the moment is green. In September, paint manufacturer Dulux announced Tranquil Dawn (a pale green) as their colour of the year for 2020, saying:

“As 2020 is the start of a new decade, it’s a fresh start. A new dawn. In an increasingly hectic and digital world, there is a desire for meaning and kindness. So, inspired by the colours of the morning sky, our colour experts have created an inspiring new shade, Tranquil Dawn.”

The themes of well-being, comfort and sustainability are widespread in the world of interior design and do seem to be leading towards colour palettes and textures that connect people with nature.

For instance, 2020Spaces.com predicts that in the coming year, we’ll see a lot more of these colours: olive green, golden yellow, light pink, mango, champagne, navy blue, dark red and charcoal.

And earlier this year at the influential Milan Design Week a similar range of colours were shown for 2020. These included: champagne, lemon yellow, pumpkin red, fuschia, sky blue, terracotta, olive green, and pale purple.

Expect to see designers using contrasting colours and textures – for instance deep blue and terracotta, as seen in the Milan Design Show setting below.

Contrasting bold colours at Milan Design Week. Photo credit: ItalianBark.com

Use of Outdoor Space

One of the key trends for restaurants, cafes and bars is the use of any outdoor space to create attractive, comfortable spaces. Courtyards, garden terraces, and roof spaces have become increasingly popular in the UK and can be used year round – helped, no doubt, by the introduction of portable heaters.

Make the most of any outdoor space to keep customers happy. Photo credit: Pixabay.com

Careful choice of lighting and style of furniture is clearly important with outdoor spaces. Warner Contract Furniture is a specialist supplier of a wide range of contract quality outdoor commercial furniture.

We can supply complete tables and dining sets as well as a huge range of durable, weather resistant and stylish dining chairs, armchairs, bar stools, benches plus table bases and table tops.

Whatever way the design trends go, we can help you to keep your customers happy and comfortable. Our outdoor furniture range is manufactured from contract quality aluminium, teak, rattan and polypropylene in a wide range of colours and styles. Many items are stackable for easy storage.

So … goodbye 2019 – here’s to 2020!

How We Can Help

If you’re thinking about a new look for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel or activity centre then get in touch. Our friendly sales team has the know-how to help you find the best contract furnishing solution for your particular needs.

We are continually adding new products to our range but if you can’t find what you’re looking for let us know. Our commercial furniture contacts and in-house team relish a challenge and we are happy to provide bespoke solutions.

Standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we source the majority of our stock within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours.

Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.

Five chairs to boost your venue’s Instagram appeal

Love it or loathe it, it’s impossible to ignore the effect that Instagram has had on the hospitality industry.

In 2017 the Independent reported on market research commissioned by a nationwide pizza chain. Amazingly, the survey found that 18-35 year-olds spend the equivalent of five days a year browsing food images on Instagram.

And not only that. Some 30% of those questioned said they would choose not to visit a restaurant if they weren’t impressed by its Instagram presence.

This might sound brutal but it’s the present reality. Many people now actively search for places to eat and drink using Trip Advisor and Google Maps. And they often make choices on where to go based on the images and reviews that pop up.

The importance of ‘Instagrammability’

It used to be that word of mouth was the best publicity a pub, club, cafe or restaurant could hope for. Today, not only does your food have to taste great – it has to look fabulous too. We’ve all become used to seeing people taking photos to share on social media.

And it’s not just the food styling that makes a venue ‘Instagrammable’. The interior décor, lighting, and furniture all have parts to play in creating an ambience that is truly ‘Instagram-worthy’.

If you’re looking to improve the look and feel of your venue Warner Contract Furniture can help. We have a huge range of contact quality commercial furniture and we know what works for different venues.

Most of our stock is sourced in the UK so we can deliver fast to get your venue Instagram-ready. We also offer discounts for bulk orders.

Take a look at these highly Instagrammable chairs and imagine the difference they could make in your venue…

We love our Activ Cafe Chair – and we know that many cafe owners do too. Its mid-century retro style is timeless and brightens up any indoor eatery. And it’s not all about good looks. It’s also hardwearing and easy to keep clean and store.

With 15 colours to choose from you’re sure to find the one that best suits your design.  Colours include: black, white, blue, red, green, yellow, brown, burgundy, grey, olive, orange, pink, purple, sand and slate. Why not mix and match for a rainbow of colour?

The Activ Bar Stool is also available in the same range of colours and looks eye-catching in a row or at poseur tables.

• Vivid Puzzle Frame Chair

The Vivid Side Chair is another great looking chair that harks back to the classic designs of the 1960s. In fact, its elegant puzzle frame was influenced by the the famous Charles Eames DSR chair.

The Vivid Side Chair should add a ‘wow’ factor to any contemporary-styled cafe, bistro and restaurant. The seat is made from durable polypropylene and comes in grey, white, pastel blue and pastel green.

Three other complementary Vivid chairs are also available: the Vivid Side Chair Skid Frame, Vivid Side Chairs, and Vivid High Stool.

• Hoxton Chairs

With its unusual contemporary seat design and wide choice of colours and frames, the Hoxton range of contract seating is hard to beat. These chairs do not fade into the background – they demand to be seen.

The seat comprises a moulded polypropylene shell featuring an unusual indented seat and seat back profile. And you have up to nine colours to choose from – black, white, red, blue, green, turquoise, yellow, purple, and grey.

Variations in the Hoxton range include:

– The Hoxton Chair Frame K  – with four turned beech legs and a black steel frame.

– The Hoxton Eiffel Chair  – with a black powder-coated metal frame.

– The Hoxton Chrome Eiffel – with a chrome rather than black frame.

– The Hoxton Spider Chair – with a central chrome pedestal and four legs.

– The Hoxton Side Chair – with chrome plated steel legs.

– The Hoxton Bar Stool – with chrome plated steel frame and seats available in black, white and grey.

• Diamond Chrome Mesh Armchair

For a completely different and uncompromisingly high-tech look – why not consider our Diamond Chrome Mesh Armchair?

It looks light and airy but it is surprisingly strong thanks to the clever use of chrome plated steel. These stunning armchairs are works of art in themselves but are very comfortable too. And you can accessorise with cushions to suit any colour scheme.

If you wish to add other chrome pieces from our range then we recommend our Chrome Mesh Sled Leg Chair and Chrome Bar Stools.

• Paris Industrial Cafe Chairs

And from the futuristic to the retro. Our Paris Industrial Cafe Chairs have enduring appeal thanks to their great design which looks vintage but is also modern.

Manufactured from contract quality steel, the Paris Chair comes in a choice of three  colours: a grey powder-coated finish, a darker gun metal grey, and a vintage copper finish.

This versatile chair looks good in any cafe or restaurant and can be put together with many different styles of tables – from wooden to metal and glass.

Further items in the range include: the Paris Industrial High Stool and the Paris Industrial Low Stool.

We’re here to help

The sales team at Warner Contract Furniture is committed to helping you find the best contract furnishing solution for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel, sports club or activity centre.

We are continually adding new products to our range but if you can’t find what you’re looking for let us know. Our commercial furniture contacts and in-house team relish a challenge.

Standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we stock the majority of our range within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours.

Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.

The humble Laminate Table Top is one of the hardest-working items in our range of contract quality commercial furniture.

Yet, it wasn’t always the case. When Laminate Table Tops were first introduced – more than 80 years ago – they were not as reliable and good value as traditional wooden table tops. Commercial venues weren’t impressed with table tops that looked shabby or cracked after a little use.

Fortunately, both laminates materials and manufacturing technology have evolved since then. Warner Contract Furniture offer a huge choice laminate table tops with different sizes, shapes, design, and thicknesses. On top of that, we also offer a wide range of bespoke options such as colours & finishes for edge profiles.

Our laminate table tops are hard-wearing, easy to keep clean, heat and scratch-resistant. It’s hardly surprising, then, that laminate table tops are the number one choice for many cafes, restaurants, pubs and canteens.

We thought it was high time to explore what makes laminates such a good material for table tops.

Laminate – A brief history

Let’s start at the beginning; laminate is defined as “any material that is made by sticking several layers of the same material together.”

The history of laminates starts more than 100 years ago with the invention of Formica in 1912. Formica was originally developed as a substitute for the mineral mica in electrical insulation products – hence the name: for mica.

At that time, Formica comprised layers a woven fabric coated with a Bakelite resin. Later, phenolic and melamine thermosetting resins were used to make a new type of plastic laminate using heat and pressure.

Such laminates were not just extremely durable but also could be made with a myriad of decorative colours and finishes. Today, our main laminate suppliers for table tops include Egger, Formica and Polyrey. These top suppliers create high pressure laminate (HPL) in a great range of colours, finishes and decorative effects.

You can also choose from textures such as wood grain, concrete, granite, ceramic and textile. Another important laminate supplier – Woodlam – produces high quality real wood laminates.

How HPL Laminate is Made  

HPL is produced by soaking many layers of absorbent kraft paper with thermosetting resin. A layer of printed décor paper is then placed on top of the stack of kraft paper and a cellulose overlay is placed on top.

This ‘sandwich’ of layers is then fused together under heat and pressure (more than 1,000 PSI). Heat transforms the resin into plastic which results in the paper sheets being converted into one rigid laminated sheet. The overlay turns into a durable, transparent finish through which the colour or decorative layer is seen.

After this, the HPL is glued to a composite panel, usually particleboard or medium density fibreboard (MDF). The final product is incredibly hard wearing. In particular, HPL has a high resistance to chemicals, abrasion, moisture and fire. This makes HPL the perfect choice for use in commercial venues as table and counter tops.

The Warner Range of Laminate Table Tops

Apart from being incredibly hard-wearing, attractive and easy to keep clean, laminate table tops come in a vast array of colours and finishes. Which is great as you have such a variety to choose from and table tops can definitely contribute to your overall interior design.

However, too much choice can be off-putting. This is where Warner Contract Furniture comes in. Whether you’re about to open a new cafe, restaurant or bistro, or planning to  refurbish an existing venue, we can help you navigate your way through our huge range of contract quality table tops.

Warner has a good range of readily-available laminate table tops in stock in standard  colours and sizes. Any of these can be used together with our range of table bases. More detailed information on our range can be found in our previous blog post Commercial Table Tops Explained.

We are are happy to combine our knowledge of our stock with our understanding of what commercial venues need. So we can produce bespoke sizes and finishes when required.

For instance, the industry standard thickness for a laminate top is 25mm or 1 inch. But we can manufacture bespoke orders with 40mm and 50mm thicknesses.

Getting the Warner’s Edge

The core of a laminate table top is a layer of MDF which has a decorative laminate bonded on its upper surface. To ensure the top stays flat, a balancing laminate in white, grey or black is typically bonded to the underside. The MDF core is then essentially cut to size and then edged using a process called edgebanding to produce a durable and decorative finish.

Some manufacturers self-edge their table tops, using the same material for the top and sides. However, this is not an ideal option as self-edges can peel and chip quite easily.

At Warner Contract Furniture, we edge our laminate table tops differently, using only matching ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) edges, even beneath metal finishes. This is an incredibly tough, shock-absorbing plastic material. Importantly, it withstands the knocks and bumps of a busy commercial eatery without chipping and peeling.

Choice of Edging Materials

Different commercial venues require different table top edging materials and we aim to accommodate these variations. Our specialist edgings include:

Metal – We offer a range of different metal-effect edgings for table tops including gold, copper, silver and rose gold. A hotel in Ireland recently asked for 26 bespoke laminate table tops with a Calacatta marble decorative finish. We then organised for the table tops to receive gold effect edging.

Rubber – Rubber table top edging is popular in student accommodation as well as restaurants which use table cloths. For instance, We have supplied rubber-edged table tops to the London department store Harvey Nichols for use in their restaurants.

Ply – Our ply edging is actually made from hard-wearing ABS.

So, we hope this blog has given you a deeper appreciation of laminate table tops. We think they are the unsung heroes of the contract furniture world. They’re hard working, easy to clean and, despite their good looks, are extremely tough. Which makes them the first choice for a busy commercial venue.

How We Can Help

Our sales team has the know-how to help you find the best contract furnishing solution for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel or activity centre.

We are continually adding new products to our range but if you can’t find what you’re looking for let us know. Our commercial furniture contacts and in-house team relish a challenge and we are happy to provide bespoke solutions.

Standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we source the majority of our stock within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours.

Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.

View our bespoke laminate finish options.

Photo credit: blog.press.princeton.edu

Here at Warner Contract Furniture we pride ourselves on providing great products and great service to the hospitality trade. We love to bring new ideas and innovations to our customers’ attention – and so we thought we’d share this with you.

Wobbly tables. No matter how flat you think your floor is they can still surprise you. And they can be a real pain for customers as well as for the managers of commercial eateries.

Anyone managing a cafe, restaurant, bistro, bar, canteen or food court will experience this problem at some point. And most will try to wedge a wobbly table leg with a folded-up beer mat, newspaper, or bits of cardboard. You can even buy little plastic wedges for a more sightly solution.

Keep turning the tables …

But apparently there is an elegant mathematical solution to this age-old problem. It has the rather grand name of the Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT). Sounds complicated but it’s actually quite simple.

The theorem suggests that all you need to do is to keep turning the table. There will always be a point where all four legs are on the floor.

Of course, it might be a quick and simple solution to wobbly table legs but it may not be totally practical. You may end up with a sloping table top, and plates and glasses might just slide off.

Also – most tables are rectangular and if you tried moving all these to find the ‘sweet’ point you may well end up with tables all over the place.

Don’t believe it works? Then watch the clip below to see for yourselves …

 Let us know how you get on!

 How we can help

Our sales team have the know-how to help you find the best contract furnishing solution for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel or activity centre.

We are continually adding new products to our range but if you can’t find what you’re looking for let us know. Our commercial furniture contacts and in-house team relish a  challenge.

Standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we stock the majority of our range within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours.

Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.