Fitting out a bar can be an expensive business - but it's not impossible to get great furniture at low prices, and the fact that you're buying relatively large quantities can work in your favour.
Here are 10 ways to furnish your bar on the cheap, without leaving your customers feeling short-changed.
1. Buy in bulk
The most obvious solution has to be to buy in bulk - for example, our furniture packages provide a sensible number of matching chairs and tables at a discount of as much as 10-15% or more on the normal price.
2. Buy sets
This follows on from buying in bulk, but even if you are ordering items of bar furniture individually, buying matching sets of stools, chairs and sofas can create a look that is more than the sum of its parts.
3. Statement pieces
On the other hand, if space and budget are at a premium, buy just a few versatile statement items of furniture, such as economical stools that can be moved around easily to reconfigure the space.
4. Durability
It's not just about how your bar furniture looks, so remember to take durability into account - the longer your furniture stays in good condition, the less you will spend on replacements and repairs.
5. Style and substance
You can get great furniture at low prices from trade suppliers, so don't assume you can't afford luxuries like leather - you might be surprised how far your budget will stretch.
6. Variety
To furnish your bar on the cheap while still satisfying your customers, think about creating separate areas - a soft lounge area, a formal dining space, taller tables and stools near the bar itself, and so on.
7. The great outdoors
Outdoor furniture often carries fewer expectations - people want comfort and functionality, but they don't expect plush upholstery or fine fabrics, making it an economical addition to your seating selection.
8. Contemporary classics
Modern design is about minimalism and practicality, and that's good news for prices - sleek seats cast from a single polypropylene moulding can cost less, yet offer so much more in terms of looks and usability.
9. Finishing touches
Trade suppliers may let you choose from several different wood, metal or fabric finishes, so you can still stamp your identity even on low-cost bar furniture.
10. Seating siblings
It's not just about saving money - it's also about getting the best for your budget. When you buy seating from the same 'family' of furniture, you know chairs and sofas will match, and you can get a table at a comfortable height too, maximising the usability of your bar furniture.