Tea is a true British icon, whether it's a hot cuppa, a freshly brewed pot, or the full works of afternoon tea - so what do you need to know in order to equip your tea room with the correct choice of cafe furniture?
Well, although tea is one pastime that's unlikely to fall from favour in the UK anytime soon, there are trends within the market that might affect how you lay out your tea room furniture.
For instance, over the past five years, consumer analysts Mintel have recorded a 22% drop in volume sales of tea in the UK - which might sound alarming, but only relates to traditional black tea.
The classic cuppa is now just one part of a fully fledged range of beverages that are known as 'tea', including green tea, redbush, and even fruit 'teas' that contain no tea leaves at all.
When surveyed by Mintel, 43% of people said they believe herbal tea can affect your mood, and 44% of people who drink green tea said they do so for the positive impact it has on their health.
Even 'standard' black tea can have mood-enhancing effects, as 43% called it 'refreshing' and 42% called it 'comforting'.
So it seems that, although the tea market may be diversifying, people still look to the beverage for relaxation and a mood boost, rather than the caffeine-fuelled injection of energy associated with coffee.
It makes sense therefore to lay out tea room furniture in a way that meets this need for relaxation - while making best use of the space you have available.
That may mean keeping a limit on the amount of 'on the go' seating you offer, as tea-drinkers are probably less likely to want to 'slurp and run' while leaning on a counter or perching on a stool.
Cafe furniture typically maximises the use of space, and you might be surprised at how small of an alcove or other contained area can be transformed with a two-seater sofa, a well-placed armchair or even just a few leather cube stools to reduce your risk of running out of seating.