Café Furniture
Café Furniture from Eclipse Furniture
Crafting the ultimate ambience for your café isn’t just about the interior décor. Café furniture is not only important for the comfort of your customers, the right choice of chairs and tables will really lift your brand, and the impression left on your guests.
A cosy coffee shop is very different to a vibrant city bistro though, so consider your business and let us help you choose the specialist furniture that’s right for you. Furniture with the perfect blend of functionality and style will make people linger a little longer and come back in the future.
Explore high quality café furniture for inside and outdoors. Discover commercial chairs, stools, and tables that combine form and function, or let us offer you recommendations on the perfect furniture for your venue.
What is Café Furniture?
Café furniture refers to the tables, chairs, stools, and sofas that are designed for use in cafés, coffee shops, and small eateries. It’s furniture that’s built to handle contract use and look good while doing it. But it’s about more than just durability and strength, the best pieces will elevate a space, offering comfort and charm in equal measure. Some of the most common café furniture includes:
• Chairs and stools • Coffee tables • Dining tables • Outdoor dining sets
What Defines Quality Commercial Café Furniture?
Quality commercial furniture is as important to a café as great coffee and tempting treats. Commercial café furniture, unlike that which is designed for domestic use, is carefully crafted to balance style with strength, durability, comfort, and ergonomics. At Eclipse, our café furniture is specially created to withstand a busy hospitality environment and is tested and certified for that use by an independent body. Aside from style, practicality is the most important factor when it comes to commercial café furniture. Chairs need to be lightweight yet sturdy and durable, made from hard-wearing materials with strong joints. Tables with low maintenance, stain and scratch-resistant surfaces will make life much easier. And outdoor café furniture needs to be weather-resistant, rust-proof and stackable. Happy comfortable customers = great reviews and higher revenue.
Café Chairs and Stools
Wooden dining chairs will help to create a warm, rustic feel, while café chairs with metal frames have an industrial, modern look. Consider upholstered armchairs and sofas for a relaxed vibe or contemporary bar stools are the perfect perch for someone wanting a quick bite to eat. A mixture of seating is always a good idea to give customers a greater choice of where to sit.
Café Tables
Your guests are sitting comfortably, so your tables need to be an attractive place to put their cappuccino and croissant. Durable, low maintenance coffee, dining, and bar-height tables are a must, but do you want classic wood, chic marble, or modern, stain-resistant laminate table tops? Also consider the table base and make sure it's both stable and easy for the customer to get in and out.
Café Fixed Seating
Fixed seating is a popular choice, particulary in smaller cafés, as it's a versatile option that maximises seating capacity and fits snuggly to the walls, using normally unused space in corners. Upholstered fixed seating in leather or hard-wearing fabric is comfortable and low-maintenance and is easy to repair which adds value and sustainable credentials through its longevity.
Outdoor Café Furniture
Add curb appeal and attract passersby to your café with stylish outdoor furniture. Outdoor chairs and tables should be made from weather, UV, and rust-resistant materials such as powder-coated metals, pressure-treated wood, or ultra-durable polyethylene. Stackable or foldable furniture will make it easier for you at the end of the day, and don't forget parasols to protect guests from the weather.
How do I Choose the Perfect Café Furniture?
Choose durable materials
Cafés are high-traffic environments, so durability is the key. Choose sturdy, hardwearing materials that are easy to maintain and keep clean. Look for:
• Durable Woods: Hardwoods such as Oak or Ash are popular choices for café furniture
• Laminate Table Tops: Laminate provides a protective layer to tables that’s easy to clean and resistant to stains
• Weatherproof Options: For outdoor dining furniture, choose rust-resistant metals, treated wood or highly durable polypropylene
Match style with substance
Current trends in café furniture lean towards earthy, botanically inspired themes with natural wood tones and accents of green, but there’s always room for individuality. You could consider bistro-style pieces which offer French flair with timeless appeal, while retro inspired furniture such as bentwood and wishbone chairs will add vintage appeal.
Make it personal
Why settle for standard when you can go bespoke? Customising your café furniture - from fabric choices to table sizes - ensures your space reflects your brand’s unique personality. At Eclipse, we make this process simple and seamless.
Why Eclipse Furniture?
Over four decades of experience - Since 1980, Eclipse Furniture has been designing and delivering high-quality contract furniture across the UK. We know the hospitality industry inside and out and we’re dedicated to helping our clients find the perfect pieces for their spaces.
A diverse range - From durable cast iron tables to Art Deco inspired chairs, we’ve got furniture for every setting. Need outdoor furniture? No problem. Want something bespoke? Consider it done.
Exceptional Service - Our customer success team is here for you. Whether you need advice on design or help completing your purchase, we make sure the process is as smooth as your morning latte.
Committed to sustainability - Our eco-conscious facility in Quedgeley, Gloucester, reflects our commitment to the planet. From energy-saving systems to waste reduction initiatives, we’re continually finding ways to minimise our environmental impact.
FAQs about Café Furniture
What materials are best for commercial café furniture?
Hardwood, metal and laminated furniture are popular because of their durability and easy maintenance. For outdoor spaces, opt for rust-resistant and waterproof materials like aluminium or polypropylene.
Can I customise my café furniture?
Absolutely. Eclipse Furniture specialises in offering bespoke options, allowing you to tailor your furniture to match your venues aesthetics and functional requirements.
How do I keep my furniture looking good?
Choose materials with protective finished and clean them regularly with appropriate products. Outdoor furniture benefits from covers or storage during harsh weather. Find out more on our Care & Maintenance page.
What is the best type of café furniture for outdoor use?
Always choose furniture that's been designed for outside - don't just use interior furniture and hope for the best! Commercial café outdoor furniture is often made of metal, wood, or plastic, is hard-wearing and designed to withstand what the British weather has to throw at it. Outdoor furniture can often attract more dirt, so choose low maintenance options and clean them regularly.
How do you choose café furniture for a small café?
Small can definitely be beautiful! You need to maximise your space without overcrowding it. Choose smaller tables that can be pushed together if required, and with minimal bases that mean chairs can fit snugly underneath. Fixed seating is a stylish, space-saving option for smaller cafés, as is using high tables and bar stools.
How much should I budget for café furniture?
When it comes to commercial café furniture, it's worth investing in chairs and tables that aren't going to need regular replacement. After all, your customers' comfort and safety are paramount. At Eclipse Furniture, we offer a wide range of great value furniture that has been tested for commercial use.
Glossary: • Bistro Table: A small dining table suitable for cafes and outdoor dining areas • Contract Furniture: Durable furniture designed for commercial environments
• Laminate Finish: A protective coating that provides a smooth, easy to clean surface • Bespoke Furniture: Custom-designed pieces tailored to a venue’s unique needs