Our Top Tips for Selecting Space-Saving Commercial Dining Tables & Chairs

October 10, 2024 • Fusion Living Limited

If you have a small dining setting, whether a cafe, restaurant or bistro, choosing the right furniture is crucial to help you maximise your space. You need furniture that offers ample space for guests but still allows you and your customers to move around freely and have an enjoyable dining experience. Finding the balance can be difficult, so we have put together our top tips for decorating small restaurants, cafes and bistros in a space-saving way that still feels authentic, stylish and unique to you.

How to maximise space in a restaurant

Small restaurant design ideas

How do you maximise space in a small cafe?

How to maximise space in a restaurant?

When furnishing a restaurant, it’s important to balance having plenty of seating to maximise your customer base without compromising their comfort and experience. Choosing the right furniture is important, but so is getting the right layout and intelligently using your space.

Smart seating arrangements

The way your tables and chairs are arranged is vital. A good arrangement will go unnoticed, but one misplaced table can spoil the flow of your space completely. Always have the flow of your restaurant in mind when placing your tables. Ensure all walkways are clear and that every table is well-distanced from the next so guests don’t feel claustrophobic or like they have no privacy.

Although it may be tempting to cram in as many tables and chairs as possible to increase capacity, your restaurant will soon put people off if they don’t feel comfortable. Prioritise a great layout and customer experience to keep people coming back.

Choosing tables

Choosing the right shape table is just as important as size. Our space-saving restaurant tables create a stylish look while ensuring guests are comfortable and have ample space to enjoy their dining experience.

Round tables are excellent for smaller spaces. They can seat more guests in a compact area without the extra bulk of corners.

Square tables are classic and versatile. They can be placed against walls and in corners, and you can push multiple of them together to accommodate larger parties if needed.

Rectangular tables are ideal for narrow or long dining spaces. They are perfect if your restaurant has a communal feel and seating large parties is a priority.

Fusion Living White Chelsea Medium Circular Table is available in different sizes and finishes.

The Fusion Living Gillmore Dining Table comes in various colours and finishes, including glass-top options with different bases to customise and complement your space.

Choose an extendable table like the Fusion Living Luxe Table to bring even more versatility to your restaurant.

Small restaurant design ideas

The right decor can go a long way to helping your small restaurant space thrive.

Keep it light

If the goal is to make your space more open, lighter shades are the best choice. Choose light colours for the walls and furnishings, like white tables and chairs or light wood, to make the space feel bigger. Dark colours don’t have to be off the table completely - darker accessories add dimension to your restaurant and give it a sophisticated edge.

Utilise wall space

Don’t forget your walls! Wall space is invaluable for small settings. It helps you add more decor and accessories to bring your restaurant to life without sacrificing precious floor space.

Mirrors are a great addition to small restaurants, helping to bounce light around the room and make it feel more spacious. Choose a style to complement your decor, or go with a classic design.

The mosaic design of the Fusion Living Large Flared Mirror adds plenty of visual interest.

You could also display local artwork or prints depicting the area to create a homely feel in your restaurant or go with more abstract art to get your guests pondering.

Bring the outside in

Plants are a foolproof way to make any space feel open, airy and inviting. By bringing in elements of the great outdoors, your dining area will feel fresh and spacious. Plants come in all shapes and sizes, so don’t worry if your floor space is full; try displaying some plants on shelves or even add a small vase of flowers to your tables. If you lack a green thumb, try fake plants for the same effect - we won’t tell!

How do you maximise space in a small cafe?

Cafes tend to be more casual settings, so you have more freedom when choosing your layout. Rather than having a fixed seating arrangement, you can experiment with different layouts to find out what works.

Stackable seating

One of our best cafe space-saving tips is to use stackable seating. Easy to store and move around when needed, stackable seating makes your cafe more flexible.

Easily put out more seating in busy periods, stack and store quickly at the end of the day and rely on sturdy construction to withstand frequent use.

The stackable Black Plastic Chairs from Fusion Living fit effortlessly into any cafe decor with plenty of colours to choose from.

Communal areas

With the relaxed vibe of a cafe, you could experiment with communal seating areas. Use long rectangular tables to provide a social, community feel that also caters for larger groups of guests. Combining this with more traditional seating will create a lively, inviting cafe setting that will surely attract more visitors.

Create a communal space with the Fusion Living Gillmore Black Glass and Metal Table, also available in different sizes to create a cohesive feel in your cafe.

Maximise your space with trade furniture at Fusion Living

Our extensive collection of trade furniture has everything you need to create a beautiful space. Whether you have a small restaurant or are looking for space-saving cafe tables for your cosy coffee shop, we have you covered.

Open a Fusion Living Trade Account today or Contact Us for more information.

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