Put simply, contract-grade furniture is furniture designed specifically for use in commercial spaces – like offices, schools, restaurants and airports – where the furniture will be used by large numbers of people for long periods every day.
Also known as commercial-grade furniture, contract furniture can include a wide range of indoor and outdoor furniture, from desk chairs to picnic tables, and is found in public sector or private commercial spaces and workplaces.
So what exactly does the term ‘contract-grade’ mean when applied to furniture?
It was once thought that one of the most noticeable differences between contract and residential-grade furniture was in design, with residential furniture being available in a wider choice of colours and designs and styles tending to be updated more frequently.
This is no longer the case. Commercial furniture designs now range from traditional classics to the most modern designer trends. Contract pieces are generally available in a much wider choice of colours and styles than domestic furnishings.
Contract ranges of furniture fabrics and finishes will also be designed to be harder-wearing and easier to clean than their domestic equivalents, enabling them to withstand heavier use and more frequent cleaning.
In addition, contract office furniture will usually be crafted from stronger materials than domestic furniture and include extra reinforcements in the design for added strength.
Contract furniture is only available from specialist commercial furniture suppliers. These suppliers may offer a full range of commercial furniture or specialise in a particular sector like educational, medical or office furniture.
Contract furniture suppliers will be able to easily facilitate larger wholesale orders as well as assisting with space planning. For example, fitting out a canteen with multiple sets of tables, benches and chairs or furnishing a cafe space with indoor and outdoor furniture.
Because it’s designed to be used by large numbers of people in busy commercial or public spaces, contract-grade furniture must adhere to higher standards than residential or domestic furniture. This means that it should meet government or industry standards and regulations. For example:
Quality contract furniture purchased from an experienced commercial supplier should have been rigorously tested to make sure that it’s not going to break easily or cause harm to anyone who uses it.
Commercial-grade furniture has many benefits:
As well as being made to higher safety standards and built with higher quality materials, commercial-grade or contract furniture is designed to keep looking good despite continuous heavy use in commercial or public spaces.
Contract furniture will also have been designed to be used in larger quantities than domestic. For example, commercial cafe furniture may be wheeled and foldable for storage or come with specially designed trollies for stacking and storing in quantity.
For more information on commercial-grade furniture, standards or space planning, ask our contract furniture experts on 020 8840 6298 or contact [email protected].
Yes we do. Contract furniture for outdoor use like cafe tables and chairs will likely be designed to stay outdoors for longer periods of time and include more durable fixings as well as being made from stronger, more weatherproof materials.
Our contract furniture is designed to be purchased in both large and small quantities and we work with specialist manufacturers who can accommodate bulk orders. There is also no minimum order. We can help with budgeting, design and space planning.
Commercially-focused design means design that is focused on needs of the commercial or public sector. For example, a contract reception sofa is likely to be designed with seat and back cushions that will keep their shape all day, as it wouldn’t be practical to have to plump up sagging sofa cushions at regular intervals.
The more durable your commercial furniture is, the better it is for the environment because there is no need to repurchase furniture as often as you would with less durable domestic products.
