When customers walk into a restaurant, one of the first things they notice is the upholstery, which can make a critical first impression.
Keep reading to learn more about why every restaurant needs good restaurant upholstery. However, before we start, let’s look at a quick definition.
What is restaurant upholstery?
Restaurant upholstery is exactly what it sounds like: It’s upholstery made for restaurants. What makes it unique is its combination of durability and comfort. The fabric must be able to withstand spills, stains, frequent cleaning, and constant friction from customers sliding in and out. At the same time, it must be comfortable for guests.
These somewhat paradoxical needs make restaurant upholstery quite unique and demanding, which is why it requires a skilled craftsperson to replace. He or she must have the requisite skill to strip away old materials, repair internal components, and apply new commercial-grade fabric.
Regarding restaurant fabric, the most durable types are rated for around 50,000 double rubs. Moreover, this fabric typically combines woven or coated materials that are water-resistant, stain-repellent, and fire-retardant. Common choices include heavy-duty vinyl and specialized industrial fabrics.
Let’s get back to why every restaurant needs good restaurant upholstery.
1. Custom restaurant upholstery makes a good first impression
Never underestimate the power of custom restaurant upholstery, which, while it comes in many styles, always serves the same core purpose of enhancing a restaurant’s look and feel.
Think of it this way: You likely wouldn’t want to walk into a shabby-looking diner with torn fabric and stains on the seats. If you had to choose between that and a restaurant with plush, perfectly tailored upholstery, you’d probably pick the latter.
Practically every restaurant owner wants to make a good impression. However, you might not have decided on how to proceed. Fortunately, the use cases for restaurant upholstery are broad.
There is so much you can do to express your restaurant’s brand, whether it’s installing comfortable booths that encourage your diners to linger over their meal or colorful banquettes that add some flair to your interior.
2. Restaurant upholstery helps define the space in a restaurant
The right choice of upholstery not only improves your restaurant’s look and feel but also helps define different zones within the space. For example, you could use high-backed leather booths for a private reservation area, while the rest of your restaurant could use tables and chairs.
With a bit of professional assistance, it’s very possible to maintain a coherent look and feel while defining sections with different colors, materials, and more.
Additionally, custom restaurant upholstery helps direct traffic flow. It’s a lot easier to remember what zone you are in if each zone is distinct.
3. Custom restaurant upholstery makes the seating more comfortable
Now, you’ve probably been to a restaurant where the seating was really uncomfortable, and it may have had nothing to do with the furniture design. It may have been the material itself.
Perhaps it was too stiff, or it smelled bad, or it was sagging and offered lousy support. These are common problems with restaurant upholstery that is too old.
The good news is custom upholstery can solve the problem. A professional upholsterer will strip your restaurant’s furniture down to the frames, replace the padding and support materials, and cover them with high-quality commercial-grade fabric. This, in most cases, solves the issues mentioned above.
4. Custom restaurant upholstery minimizes wear and tear
Durability is essential for high-traffic restaurants, so unless your restaurant is one of those super high-end establishments that only serves five hundred people a year (and charges a fortune for it), you probably want to avoid things like silk and velvet.
Commercial-grade upholstery offers more longevity compared to standard options and ideally saves you money in the long run.
As mentioned above, restaurants use fabrics rated for 50,000 double rubs. Compare this to residential furniture that typically only requires 12,000 to 20,000 double rubs for regular household use.
5. Custom upholstery expresses your brand
In addition to everything else mentioned on this list, custom upholstery expresses and represents your brand. This is one of the biggest ways it enhances your restaurant, be it a casual diner or a high-end luxury affair.
For example, a casual seafood restaurant might incorporate deep blues and textured fabrics that evoke an ocean theme, while an upscale steakhouse might choose rich, burgundy leather to complement its masculine luxe aesthetic.
Your upholsterer will work with you to find the absolute best fabrics for your needs.
The best fabrics for custom restaurant upholstery
The best fabrics to use depend on your restaurant. Let’s look at three examples.
One: High-traffic restaurants. In this case, you’ll want durable performance fabrics with stain-resistant finishes; vinyl and treated microfiber are especially popular. These materials can withstand constant use while maintaining their appearance, and they’re particularly well-suited for casual dining establishments.
Two: Upscale restaurants. For these, commercial-grade leather and treated velvet are often used. These materials help create that special luxury look and feel.
Three is any restaurant that wants a middle-ground approach. For this, cotton-based fabrics offer a viable solution, but they do have some problems of their own.
Ideally, in most cases, your restaurant’s fabric should be stain-resistant, water-resistant, and fire-retardant, but again, you might want a different type of fabric to support a specific use. We can help you find the right fabric.
Get restaurant upholstery with Redesign Upholstery
If you’re considering updating your restaurant’s upholstery, Redesign Upholstery offers tailored solutions to meet your needs. Contact us today to explore how our custom upholstery can improve your space and provide lasting value for your business.
Benefits of custom restaurant upholstery include:
- Complete control over the design elements to match your brand identity
- Optimizing your space with custom seating
- Extending furniture life through quality materials and craftsmanship
- Saving on replacement costs over the long run
- Better defining the different areas within your restaurant
- Ability to adapt to changing design trends with multiple fabric options
- Sustainable solution that reduces waste
