The choice to open a bistro restaurant is becoming increasingly popular, as their quaint feel and cosy atmosphere draws in more and more customers. However, the very things that make them so special (namely the smaller size) is the very thing that can cause difficulties when it comes to picking your dining furniture. Furniture for a bistro restaurant needs to imbue the space with an open, yet cosy feel; it must give the room light and space, whilst giving plenty of room around it for manoeuvrability. As a bistro restaurant is so notoriously difficult to furnish, Warner Contract Furniture have put together a little buyer’s guide for furniture for your bistro.
Colours
Due to the small nature of a bistro, the colours you use for your furniture should capitalise on creating a cosy feel whilst also brightening the space. Seem impossible? The trick is to forge a balance. Choose dark wood tables, but light and bright chairs. Or, choose dark, cozy chairs such as our Ella Bentwood Dining Chair, but compliment with colourful accessories and table cloths. Too much dark colouring will make your dining furniture seem sombre, but if you go too bright you’ll run the risk of your restaurant feeling more like a cheap café.
Size
As a standard rule, the furniture for a restaurant should allow each diner 600mm of space in width and then give at least that same width again between each person seated. The benefit of a bistro restaurant is that a more intimate ambience is expected, so you’ll be forgiven for seating your guests a little closer to each other.
Space
What you should not skimp on in terms of size is the space between the tables. By squeezing your tables too close together, you’ll be changing the atmosphere from ‘intimate’ to ‘cramped’, and your servers won’t thank you either! Follow the rule that you should allow a space of at least 700-800mm around your table and chairs – this includes between walls too, not just other dining tables.
If you’re soon to open your very own bistro but are struggling to find the balance between practicality and ambience, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Warner Contract Furniture on 0161 408 2390. We have years of experience in both supplying and advising on dining furniture and will help to ensure that the furniture for your bistro restaurant helps it to be a success.