What is commercial furniture?

When it comes to buying furniture for your business, you will be met with two options: commercial furniture or domestic furniture. While all furniture may seem alike and appropriate for use in any setting, there are some key differences that can help you make the right choice for your business.

Whether you need it for an office environment, restaurant, coffee shop or anywhere else, once you know a little bit more about commercial furniture you can make the most of your budget. Here we go into more detail about commercial furniture to explain what it is and what to look out for when you are shopping around.

What is commercial furniture?

Commercial furniture is a type of furniture designed and manufactured solely for use in commercial environments. The key difference between commercial and household furniture is that the materials used will be exposed to a greater number of people and face ongoing use, so it needs to be able to withstand high traffic and the inevitable wear and tear that comes with it.

What should you consider when buying commercial furniture?

You should never make rush decisions about the commercial furniture you intend to use in your business. It’s a long-term investment that will set the tone for staff and customers, so before making a final decision you should consider the following first:

Quality and durability

Because commercial furniture will experience a lot of heavy use, it pays to invest in good quality pieces that can stand the test of time. Whether commercial cafe chairs are used frequently by customers in a restaurant or by employees in an office space, there’s always a good chance it won’t be treated in the same way as you would like it to be.

Commercial furniture with a warranty is a must for this reason. Ask the manufacturer about maintenance requirements for the furniture, as you won’t want to spend too much time and money on the upkeep of commercial chairs, dining chairs and other types of new furniture. Ideally it should be hard wearing, have stain resistant materials and be hassle free for staff to keep in good condition.

Budget

Finances will always play a big role in the commercial furniture you buy, especially if you are just starting out. If you can afford to, paying for high quality pieces will nearly always pay off, as there will be less need for replacements, and maintenance requirements are also usually lower. However, not every business can afford to spend big on their office furniture, so it’s about striking the right balance to ensure your spending is cost-effective.

Different industries will have their own unique requirements, so this also should be factored into your budget. For example, if you run a restaurant you need to get the right size (usually between 18” and 20” wide), while also being durable, comfortable, and easy to clean. Office chairs need to provide good back support for people who are seated for hours at a time, while also taking into consideration how the chair fits in with the design of the desk.

Space and quantity

A big part of sourcing the right furniture for your business is ensuring it is a suitable fit. Commercial spaces should be well planned to optimise the room you have available, making it easier to accommodate the right amount of furniture. Measure the room size and available floor space, considering walkthrough areas and any additional equipment or features that are in the room, which will make it easier to identify the right type of commercial furniture to buy. Once you have the dimensions of the interior space, it should be far less difficult to narrow down your options to find the appropriate tables, chairs and other pieces.

Look and feel

The aesthetics of commercial furniture and how much comfort it offers is another major factor to consider. When it comes to the design it needs to complement the space and create the right atmosphere for the people that will populate it. This doesn’t have to be a complicated process, as a simple furniture selection usually works well.

If you are looking for a higher spec setup, you should take the texture, fabrics and finishes of every piece into consideration to ensure they complement each other. For businesses that are more focused on luxurious commercial furniture, it often makes sense to include an interior designer in the process, as they can create a more customisable setting to enhance the overall customer experience.

Delivery times

For businesses investing in high quality furniture, you will need to factor in the delivery times. Off-the-shelf commercial furniture can be in place within your business immediately, but high-quality pieces are made to order and can take several weeks to arrive. Factor this in before you place an order or look at alternatives if you urgently need to get operations up and running. Planning well in advance can help you to avoid any unnecessary delays, so always have a clear idea of when the furniture will be delivered so you can get your dates in order.

Health and Safety

Health and safety measures are high for commercial furniture, due to the constant interaction it has with members of the public. Domestic upholstery and fabrics need to adhere to BS EN 597-1: 2015 and BS EN 597-2: 2015, which ensures there is strong enough resistance to a smouldering cigarette and burning matches.

CRIB5 (also known as Ignition Source 5) is the standard for commercial furniture, as it ensures it meets UK fire regulations. This offers more reassurance for businesses, especially the likes of cafés and restaurants where naked flames are in use every day.

Commercial furniture can also be tested by SATRA technology, who are an independent research and testing organisation, as well as FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) schemes.

What is the best material for commercial furniture?

There is no single answer to this question, as it depends on the type of business you run and how people will interact with the furniture. For example, some restaurants provide outdoor eating spaces, which places different demands onto the fabrics and materials compared to furniture used indoors. Some of the most common materials used for commercial furniture includes:

• Wooden commercial furniture
  The popularity of wood is never likely to wane, as it is a material that has been used for centuries due to its versatility. Wood is typically best used indoors as it can require a fair amount of upkeep if constantly exposed to testing weather conditions. However, it is a durable, aesthetically pleasing material with price points ranging from entry level to premium, depending on the type of wooden furniture you buy.
• Metal commercial furniture
  Aluminium or stainless steel commercial furniture offers flexibility for use both indoors and outdoors. Aluminium is lightweight and easy to maintain and generally performs well when dealing with rain, ice and UV rays. It can be easily matched with different themes, which helps if you refurbish or redecorate in the future. Aluminium usually offers a contemporary or minimalist style, but more classic designs are also available.
• Polypropylene or fibreglass commercial furniture
  Plastic-based commercial cafe chairs are usually the most economical option, while still offering good value for money. You’ll often find a good range of colour options and a variety of shapes and sizes, due to the materials’ moldability. One issue with polypropylene is how it can discolour over time when exposed to UV rays, so use indoors is maybe best. Fibreglass commercial furniture is relatively new and is ideal for indoor and outdoor settings. Like plastic, it is waterproof and durable and works well if there are high volumes of customers using the furniture.
• Wicker commercial furniture
  Wicker is a more environmentally friendly option, as it can be sourced from renewable materials such as rattan, cane or bamboo. Synthetic rattan is also a good choice that offers more longevity than the real thing while maintaining a similar look and feel. Wicker furniture is more suited to relaxed, information environments, especially those with lots of flowers, plants and greenery involved. Wicker is tough and easy to maintain and can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings.