As a business owner within the hospitality industry, you know that price is often the determining factor in whether to purchase an item for your eatery. And it is tempting to make price the sole determining factor. But, as one of Sydney’s premiere purveyors of hospitality furniture, we feel it our job to make the case for another factor that is just as (if not more) important…and that, friends, is quality. After all, you wouldn’t cut corners in the kitchen, forcing your chefs to work with poor quality, dull knives, and the same thinking should drive your furniture purchases.
That’s why we want to share 3 reasons why quality counts when choosing tables for your restaurant, bar, or pub.
1. Quality Furniture Reflects Well on Your Business
We’ve all had the experience of going into a restaurant and diner and sitting down at a fragile, wobbly table. You’re forced to either keep a foot pressed on one leg of the table to reduce jostling, or you find yourself rolling up napkins and trying to wedge them under the offending table legs for stabilisation. No matter how you resolve the issue, it undoubtedly left a bad taste in your mouth and likely made you think less of the business.
The truth is, every aspect of your eatery works together to create an experience for your guests—from the color scheme and décor to the cutlery, tables, and seating. And if one part is off it can reflect poorly on your business. Guests want to sit at a table that is well-crafted, substantial, and won’t jostle a drink or plate of food onto their laps.
2. Quality Furniture is Durable
We know how costly the hospitality business can be and owners are often looking to get the most bang for their financial buck. But we recommend using caution when shopping for tables to use on your dining floor.
A quick internet search will likely bring up both online and brick-and-mortar businesses selling furniture at incredibly low rates. The problem with such places is the furniture they sell is often made for residential use and not designed to stand up to the relentless wear-and-tear hospitality endures on a daily basis. Think about how many times a guest sits in and scoots a chair on your dining floor. It’s likely hundreds of times each day and thousands each week.
That is a lot of usage.
The same goes for your dining tables. They are going to be leaned on and exposed to piping hot dishes and hot or cold cups hundreds of times every day. And, like it or not, guests will not give your tables the same level of care they give their personal furniture. That’s why it is important to make sure the furniture you’re purchasing was designed specifically for use in the hospitality industry.
Will it cost a little more than what you’ll find on those bargain-basement sites? Possibly. Will it last longer? Absolutely. The money you’d save buying cheaper furniture will likely be used to purchase replacement tables within a year or two. Our best advice is this—create a budget so you know exactly how much you can spend on tables and chairs and then buy the highest quality furniture available within your budget.
3. Quality Furniture Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
We want to be clear—we are not suggesting you go to the first luxury store selling hospitality furniture, throw your cash on the table and cry,” Take my money!” Just because you’ve committed to buying well-made pieces doesn’t mean you are left without options.
There are plenty of resources for budget-conscious buyers who want to get the best quality furniture available within their budget, places like our very own Have a Seat Showroom. If you’ve never visited before, it’s safe to say you will be blown away by all that we have to offer. We pride ourselves on offering high-quality, stylish hospitality furniture at a great price.
And our table selection is second to none. Whether you are looking for petite café tables or substantial wooden pieces, we’ve got what you need. If you’re looking to replace table tops or bases only, we will be happy to help. If you have a unique design aesthetic and are looking for something that will blend seamlessly and last for years, you’re going to love what you see on the showroom floor.
And if you can’t make it to the store for an in-person visit, you can still take advantage of all Have a Seat has to offer by shopping at our online store.
You may end up paying a bit more for quality furniture but, at the end of the day, such expenses really are an investment in the health of your business…and one that is definitely worth making.