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The placement of furniture has always been a key concern in pubs and restaurants as owners strive to create the perfect balance of using the available space to maximise covers while creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for customers. Now that the hospitality industry is facing the new challenge of creating Covid-secure environments, it’s more important than ever to give careful consideration to the placement of furniture in your bar or restaurant.

The good news is there are plenty of ways to strike the right balance of style and practicality for your hospitality setting. Here’s how…

Planning is everything

If you are starting from scratch, you can plan the perfect room to your exact requirements using online software like Room Sketcher. However, if you don’t have the luxury of a clean slate you can still make the most of your space by moving furniture around and adding pieces as requirements change. Again, online tools will give you an idea what your furniture will look like without you having to physically move it around. This kind of software will also help you make smart choices when buying new armchairs, sofas, tables and other furniture.

First impressions count

When a customer walks into your pub or restaurant, they need to feel relaxed and welcome. Functional furniture like wooden bar stools and chairs will always be necessary in pubs, but it’s always a great idea to add a cosy feel to areas such as your entrance with softer furnishings like sofas and comfy armchairs. Trent’s Portobello Cappuccino Tub Chair, with its luxury feel and stylish checked pattern in neutral tones to match any décor scheme, is an attractive and cost effective way to create a convivial atmosphere to entice customers into your space.

A matter of proportion

Most pubs and bars will have different types of furniture for different parts of the space. For example, high bar stools at the bar, poseur tables with high stools near walls, armchairs at the fireside and low stools and tables in nooks and crannies. However, mixing furniture proportions only works in clearly defined zones; it’s important for furniture in the same area to be of a similar height and width to create a comfortable space for socialising.

For example, if you are making a focal point of two sofas facing each other across a low table, it’s vital to make sure they are a similar height and width. Trent’s stylish and functional brown leather Manhattan Sofa, pictured below, is a great choice for comfort, durability and versatility in any bar, pub or hotel lobby.

A moveable feast

Now more than ever, pubs and restaurants need to be able to reconfigure their layouts to balance their own needs with government regulations. Due to this, relatively lightweight, stackable club furniture is an excellent choice for your restaurant or bar.  Trent has a huge range of this kind of stylish, versatile furniture that ensures a change of layout is never a chore. 

Functional furniture

It’s a fact of life that constant use by lots of people means that pub and bar furniture will always be prone to wear and tear. That’s why when considering what looks good and where, it’s crucial to keep quality and durability in mind. All Trent’s contract grade furniture is designed to last the distance, providing great quality as well as timeless style as you adapt it to your changing requirements over the years.

Quality furniture for the hospitality trade

Whether you’re designing a pub or restaurant from scratch or updating your current space, you will find the furniture you are looking for at Trent Furniture. To find out more, please call us on 0116 4736 841 or fill in our contact form.
 

As every bar manager knows, there is no more versatile and hardworking piece of furniture than the bar stool. However, just as it’s important to put careful thought into choosing bulkier items such as tables, there are a few points to consider when choosing the perfect bar stool for your pub or bar.

How tall should your bar stools be?

The height of your bar stools will always depend on the height of your bar. There is no point in putting tall stools next to a low bar or shorter stools where people will feel like they are sitting  too low. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to have a stool that is around 30cm shorter than the bar. Bar stools such as the Monza Bar Stool below are a perfect choice for the standard bar height of around 107 cm.

Break away from the bar

Of course, bar stools should not just be confined to the bar area. Small bar stools are the perfect partner for small tables in otherwise awkward to fill spaces. Also, tall bar stools such as Trent’s stylish Tall Napoli Black Frame Stool pictured below work perfectly with poseur tables to create a cool contemporary look and provide a comfortable space to eat and drink. Tall bar stools are also a great option for venues who regularly screen sports as they provide a great choice of vantage points for customers to watch the big match.

Are backless bar stools best?

It depends on what you are using them for. There is no doubt that backless bar stools tend to be more cost-effective and take up less space. However, they are less comfortable than a stool with a back to lean on, so customers may be less likely to settle down for the evening on a backless stool.

A good compromise is to mix the two up by opting for backless bar stools at the bar or along bar-style seating areas at the edges of the room where space can be tight. You can then choose a more comfortable backed style with or without arms to complement poseur tables where guests are more likely to choose to socialise for a whole evening.

A question of space

As well as thinking about the height of your bar stools, it’s also important to consider how they will fit into your space, particularly in the current era of social distancing. Bar stools should always fit neatly under the bar or table they are paired with to ensure a streamlined look and easy hoovering. When choosing stools with backs and/or arms, make sure that they do not protrude too far into space where people need to walk or create a crowded feel along the bar or round the table. People often like to move bar stools too, so it’s important not to choose anything too heavy and cumbersome.

Covid restrictions aside, you should allow for between 66cm – 77cm between the centre of one bar stool and the centre of another to make sure the space doesn’t look cluttered and customers have plenty of elbow room.

Style and comfort

Trent Furniture supplies a large range of bar stools ranging from traditional wooden bar stools for pubs to contemporary chrome styles for modern bars. Add extra comfort and style with leather and fabric upholstery options to create an inviting atmosphere and blend in with your décor scheme. Upholstered bar stools are a great option for areas you would like to encourage guests to linger in, rather than just stop off for a quick drink.

Find the perfect bar stools for your bar

Most of Trent Furniture’s bar stools have matching small stools, tables and chairs in our bar furniture range, meaning you can create the perfect pulled-together theme for your space. To find out more, please call us on 0116 2984 862 or fill in our contact form.

If you have been recently thinking about how to redecorate your static caravan, you aren't alone. One silver lining resulting from the coronavirus pandemic is the resurgence of the Great British caravan holiday this summer. Whether you already own a static caravan or are thinking of investing in one after a caravan-based staycation this year, there is plenty you can do to create a modern, relaxed and comfortable environment, perfect for getting away from it all.

Soft furnishings for your static caravan

Most caravans have a fixed seating area around the edges of the living space for one very good reason; it’s the best way to make the most of the available space. As anyone who has ever stayed in a caravan or sat on a well-made upholstered buttoned bench like Trent Furniture’s Berwick Buttoned Back Bench, knows, lack of space is no barrier to comfort and style.

The soft seating area is the main style statement you will make in your caravan and the first thing you will see when you walk in, so make sure it’s the focal point of your chosen colour palette. This is also where you will relax on chillier evenings and where members of your family are likely to put their bags down when they enter, so choose a practical colour in a hard-wearing fabric. Navys, greens and greys fit the bill on both the fashion and durability fronts and you can soften the look with patterns or lighter colours in your cushions, curtains and other soft furnishings.

Eat, drink and be merry

When the sun is shining, you will be outside making the most of it with early morning coffees and evening BBQs with family and friends. However, the unpredictable nature of the British weather means it’s important to create a functional indoor eating space that doesn’t feel like second best when the weather refuses to play ball.

Small upholstered stools complement your inbuilt dining seating and not only are they comfortable, they can be stored under the table when not in use. Or why not let your kitchen worktop double up as a place to enjoy a drink with a taller bar chair?

Make the space work for you

The beauty of redecorating a static caravan is that you can design the space for your own requirements. For example, if you hate cooking and never use the oven when you’re away, you can redesign with a hob and a microwave to suit your needs. However, no matter what your tastes, adequate storage, a decent shower and a comfortable bed are all key components in creating your very own home away from home to relax in. And don’t forget to have fun with your decor; after all, your static caravan is your happy place!

Buy quality furniture for a range of settings

To find out more about Trent Furniture’s extensive range of contract grade furniture including stools, chairs and tables, please call 0116 2984 862 or fill in our contact form.

Applying for street furnishing grants following Coronavirus

A number of local councils are setting up grant schemes as part of city wide recovery plans following the covid-19 outbreak so its worth being in the know and checking if your local council has business support funding available and whether you are eligible!

The schemes allow for independent restaurants and cafes to apply for grants to help with purchasing appropriate outdoor furniture and other outdoor goods to support their business to operate safely within the government guidelines.

How Do I apply?

Contact your local council to find out if they are offering grants or running schemes to support local business, if they are then you can usually submit an application online for funding. Most will require a copy of the quote for the items you would like to purchase and a copy of the plan with your proposed layout for outside seating. We can provide a formal quote by email so contact us for a same day quote with detailed pricing for you to submit with your application. All of our quotes are valid for 30 days so you have plenty of time to secure your funding before finalising the order.

Many schemes won’t have a specific deadline for applications but will continue to accept applications until all funds are allocated so its worth acting quickly to secure funds if you are eligible!

How do I know if I am eligible?

Again, this will be a case of contacting your local authority. Grants are generally for independent businesses and there will be certain criteria you will need to meet. You should be able to find this information online or by contacting the council.

Most grants are for businesses that provide table service food and either already have a street license or have applied for a temporary one under new government guidance. Applying for a street café or pavement licence can usually processed online. More information can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pavement-licences-draft-guidance/draft-guidance-pavement-licences-outdoor-seating-proposal

What can the grants be spent on?

This will ultimately depend on your local council and you would need to contact your local council or visit their websites for details but most grants are for the purchase of physical goods so this could include furniture such as tables and chairs, social distancing barriers, heaters or other items that enable you to comply with local policies relating to street café trading or pathway licensing.

Any furniture you purchase should be suitable for outdoor use so make sure you are buying from a reputable company and preferably one that specialises in furniture for contract and commercial use. Its important to choose tables and chairs that are of a high quality and that are complimentary to the surrounding area. At Trent Furniture we stock a wide range of outdoor furniture and chairs such as our Monaco Chairs which come in a choice of colours and finishes so that you can select a look that fits in well with your local area.

What happens if I am successful in obtaining a grant?

Once the grant has been approved and you have an agreement in place you will be able to purchase the goods so you would just need to contact the supplier of your selected quote and request to go ahead with the order. As our quotes are valid for 30 days, it gives you plenty of time to get everything in place before finalising the order. Once the goods have been purchased and delivered you will be able to set them up in the agreed outdoor space or street side area in line with the local licensing requirements. Again, these requirements will be specific to your local government.

You will usually need to provide proof of payment via bank statement and relevant receipts or invoices to submit your claim and the local authority to release payment. 

If you need a quote for outdoor furniture then please do get in contact with us at Trent Furniture. We are based in Leicester and offer fast nationwide delivery. We stock a wide range of outdoor chairs and tables that are weather resistant, stackable and easy to store! We may be able to offer discount on bulk orders and to help businesses to operate safely under the new guidelines so please do not hesitate to get in contact with us on 0116 286 4911.

You can view our full range of outdoor furniture online here

Links to local schemes

Leicester - https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus/coronavirus-business-support-grant-funding/street-cafe-furnishings-grant/ 

Swansea - https://www.swansea.gov.uk/outdooradaptationgrant

Pembrokeshire - https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/business-advice-and-support/cafe-culture-grant

Liverpool - https://liverpool.gov.uk/withoutwallsfund

The term pallet furniture is used to describe the upcycle of wooden pallets, the flat structures used for transporting, lifting and storing heavy goods, into both indoor and outdoor furniture.

The historic origins of pallets

In medieval times, a pallet was a makeshift bed made of a piece of cloth stretched over some straw or hay and mainly used by servants who were required to sleep at the foot of their masters’ beds. As living standards have evolved, pallets became best known as the familiar stackable wooden platform for holding goods.

Imaginative upcycling of pallets for furniture

Most pallets are resused until the time comes for them to go to landfill or be burned for fuel. However, there is an increasing trend towards prolonging the life of this relatively inexpensive yet sturdy material by upcycling pallets in good condition to make furniture. Not only is this an eco-friendly and innovative DIY trend, it ticks the style box too with the resulting furniture’s modern, industrial vibe.

Pallet furniture as individual as you are

You can use reclaimed pallet wood to create a real style statement in your home. The material can be used to create anything from a stunning centrepiece coffee table or kitchen table to quirky extras like coat hooks, cupboard units and shelves. Let the natural beauty of the wood take centre stage or add your own style stamp by painting or staining the wood to create a truly unique piece of furniture for your home.

Create bespoke garden furniture using pallets

Hardwearing and functional pallet furniture really comes into its own when it comes to creating a modern, versatile outside space. As well as being used for chairs, tables and sofas, pallets can be repurposed to create outdoor planters, bar areas and BBQ storage units. Removable padding and cushions can be used to inject a dash of colour and to add an element of softness and comfort to the clean, modern lines of your outdoor pallet furniture.

Making pallet furniture - the perfect DIY project

A quick internet search provides plenty of guidance and inspiration for people who want to have a go at making their own pallet furniture. However, if DIY is not your thing, you can still achieve this cool modern look by buying pallet furniture from a vast array of artisan manufacturers.  

Pallet furniture for bars and pubs

Due to the pandemic, the hospitality industry is seeing an unprecedented shift in pubs updating and expanding their outdoor seating areas in order to be able to increase the number of customers they can welcome in a safe and socially distanced way.

Whether it’s a few planters or a statement table, the pared back style of outdoor pallet furniture goes well with many styles of outdoor furniture including Trent’s stackable Monaco wood effect chair and Capra table, which is available in a square or round table top for added versatility.

Further reading on pallet furniture

For more information about the pros and cons of pallet furniture, check out our guide comparing pallet and rattan furniture.

Quality furniture for the hospitality industry

Trent Furniture provide a fantastic and competitively priced range of furniture for the interiors and exteriors of pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and more. Whether you are looking for traditional or modern styles, we have the perfect solution. To find out more, please call us on 0116 2988 583 or fill in our contact form.