Choosing The Best Indoor & Outdoor Restaurant Tables

When it comes to choosing the best indoor or outdoor restaurant tables, you want to make sure you marry style with practicality. 

In this blog, we’ll explore how you can choose the best tables for your restaurant or dining space and ensure the perfect aesthetic alongside optimal functionality.

How many tables should you purchase for your restaurant? 

There’s nothing worse than visiting a restaurant to find that it feels cramped and overcrowded. Too many tables and you run the risk of losing the privacy and intimacy many look for when dining out. Too few tables and your restaurant can feel sparse and customers feel exposed. 

When it comes to choosing your tables, the size and shape are going to be your number one priority. Consider the ‘flow’ of your space. Where do customers come in? Where do your staff need to get to while serving? You want to make sure that it’s easy for your staff to move to and from the kitchen safely and with ease. You’ll also want to ensure customers can reach facilities like toilets without disturbing other diners.  

You’ll want to consider business revenue and how many customers you want and can accommodate at any one time. If you have a lower price point, you may aim for a higher number of tables compared to a restaurant with a higher price point. 

It can help to map out your table placement with tape to test out the layout of your restaurant, before committing to a table order. This will help you determine which areas can accommodate 2 or 4+ seater tables, and which shapes might suit your space best. 

How to choose the best designs and materials for your restaurant tables

You’ll most likely have an aesthetic you want to create in your restaurant. Creating mood boards can help with choosing the designs of your restaurant tables and communicate your design needs to your restaurant table suppliers more easily. 

When it comes to materials, think carefully about the daily wear your tables will undergo. Think about whether they will need to be especially heat resistant or if you want to ensure maximum scratch resistance. 

If you want to be able to easily manoeuvre tables around to suit smaller or larger parties, you’ll want to choose tables that are either lightweight or easily movable. 

If you’re looking to also furnish your outdoor restaurant space, then you’ll want to ensure that your table bases are sturdy and can withstand all weather conditions. Flip-top tables – like our Avon Flip Top Table Base – are also great for outdoors as they can be easily stored and put out depending on the ever-changing UK weather. 

If you want to be able to use tables both indoors and outdoors, make sure you’re choosing products that are weatherproof. If you’re purchasing table bases and table tops separately, then make sure to take a look at our outdoor table tops and outdoor table bases. That way, you can ensure that your restaurant tables can be moved indoors or outdoors depending on your needs. 

Where do you buy restaurant tables and how much should you budget for them? 

All restaurant tables should be purchased from a reputable commercial furniture supplier. There are a lot of regulations around commercial furniture that will need to be adhered to and standard furniture will not be suitable for commercial use. 

Buying from a restaurant furniture supplier ensures you’re ticking all the boxes in terms of regulation requirements and health and safety policies. 

When it comes to budgeting for your new restaurant tables, keep in mind the following points: 

• Explore bulk buying offers and discounts, buying in bulk can often help keep costs lower than buying tables in small batches.
  
• Think about how much maintenance will be needed. If you only have a small budget for ongoing maintenance costs, make sure to choose restaurant tables made from hard-wearing materials such as Topalit Laminate, powder-coated steel, or brushed stainless steel.
  
• Explore the average pricing for products that fit your aesthetic. Highly stylised or popular finishes may be slightly more expensive due to their popularity or the craftsmanship needed to create them. Decide how much you’re willing to spend in order to get the design you want most.  
  
• Do you want natural or synthetic materials? Natural materials will usually be slightly more costly than synthetic or man-made materials. Decide early on if you need natural materials or if you’re just looking for a natural ‘look’, is there a more affordable alternative? For example, we stock many laminate table tops that offer the realistic appearance of natural materials such as wood, concrete or marble, but without the hefty price tag.

How to care for and maintain your tables

Keeping your restaurant tables clean and well-maintained is not just important for the overall look of your restaurant, but also for hygiene and the safety of your patrons. 

Choosing a non-porous material for your table tops and bases will be the easiest way to ensure maximum cleanliness in your restaurant. For example, our stunning Azure Porcelain table tops offer maximum style and are extremely hygienic.

If you have your heart set on natural wooden table tops, make sure to avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the wood. Instead, opt for a warm, damp and slightly soapy cloth. Applying regular wood conditioners can also help to keep your tables in good condition and look to do a deep clean 1-2 times a year using wood cleaning products. 

Purchasing restaurant tables with Warner Contract Furniture 

It is recommended that restaurant owners replace their restaurant tables and chairs every 5 to 10 years, depending on the level of use. 

The busier your business, the more frequently you may have to replace your furniture. Keep your eyes peeled for visible signs of damage such as cracks, chips or other broken parts. Wobbly and unstable tables should also be replaced for health and safety reasons, ensuring your customers are kept safe. 

If you’re looking to replace your restaurant tables or chairs, or if you’re opening a new business and are looking for the perfect furniture, why not get in touch? 

All of our products come with a 12-month warranty and with fast delivery, bespoke customisation options and a dedicated sales team, we’re ready and waiting to help you find your perfect restaurant furniture.

Fill in the form below with your requirements and one of our sales team will be in touch shortly.