Furniture Trends 2018

If you are planning on revamping your bar or restaurant and need some interior decor or furniture advice then here is our quick look at the furniture trends tipped to be big for 2018!

We’ve seen the revival of retro style furniture in bars and the emergence of metallics combined with minimalist designs and natural materials but what is next in terms of bar furniture trends?

STYLE

As expected, the Vintage and Retro style of furniture is continuing to rise in popularity and it seems it’s here to stay in 2018. Think rustic wooden table tops with metal bases and seating in a vintage leather effect finish.  Mix and match different styles of chairs for a really eclectic look and feel that is totally unique. A combination of traditional wooden chairs with contemporary metal chairs is guaranteed to create a space full of character.

FINISHES

Next year we are set to see much warmer wood colours throughout commercial interiors and popularity is rising for rich dark oak furniture and more natural wood tones to sit side by side with trendy Scandinavian style that features plenty of white and grey painted finishes.  Expect to see a lot more of natural wood tones creating a stripped back style that compliments the elegance and character of vintage designs.  Combining different shades of wood is an easy way to add depth and character to any space and make your bar stand out from the crowd.

FABRICS

Although neutral tones like whites and greys will also still feature in fabrics for 2018, much bolder use of colour on furniture are set to be popular. Stay on trend with vibrant jewel tones like ruby red and emerald green in luxurious velvet and chenille materials. Feeling really bold? Opt for bright tropical fuscia pink or striking turquoise for an instant style injection on wooden framed furniture. Not for you? Go for more modest colours and choose a statement pattern such as monochrome dogtooth or tartan for an easy way to completely reinvent an otherwise ordinary style of chair or bench seating.

SHAPES

Furniture shapes are going to change this year with us seeing much more rounded and softer edges. Curved lines on sofas or turned legs on wooden chairs and stools adding interest to furniture and contrasting perfectly with edgier geometric accessories like industrial lighting and vintage décor that are set to continue dominating the interior design scene in 2018.

QUALITY

When buying furniture for your bar it’s important to get the aesthetics and styling right but what is equally as important is buying furniture that has been designed specifically for contract use. Your furniture should be an investment and domestic furniture just won’t cut it in a busy commercial environment.  Trent Furniture offers a huge range of furniture that is certified suitable for contract use with specific ranges designed specifically for bars and restaurants.

If this was a case of choosing between Manhattan and Chesterfield, for most, the choice would be relatively simple. Manhattan would nine times out of ten come out on top. That’s nothing against Chesterfield, it’s just that the draw of the Manhattan lights can be hard to resist for the majority. 

However, what’s slightly harder to decide on for café, pub and restaurant owners is the choice of sofa: a Manhattan sofa or Chesterfield sofa? 

Where do the names come from?

You’d think that if anyone would know then it would be Trent Furniture, but we don’t. In fact, no one does; not for sure, anyway. The research that we have done shows that there are plenty of possible scenarios for the naming of the Chesterfield sofa but our favourite explanation is to do with the 4th Earl of Chesterfield.  

Unfortunately, the same can be said for the Manhattan sofa. No one is actually quite sure where the name originates from. 

Chesterfield sofa

If you are looking to create a classy, stylish interior, adding a few Chesterfield sofas will work wonders. The Chesterfield-style sofa is an iconic piece of furniture and its classic design is a popular choice for bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels.

The luxurious appearance is created by the upholstered arms, thick foam, brown faux leather and buttonhole pattern. The detailing on the back and arms create a truly traditional feel and look which is unique to the Chesterfield.

Manhattan sofa

The Manhattan sofa range has increased in popularity over recent years. As such, it is now available in black and brown leather to match with your décor.  

Comfort is paramount for Manhattan sofas. The comfortable padded cushions and thick upholstery make the sofas the perfect addition to any casual dining and drinking area as customers can relax comfortably whilst enjoying a drink or a bite to eat with a low table such as the Rectangular Shaker coffee table. 

Which should you buy?

Both sofas offer ample seating for customers to relax in and are the perfect option for casual seating in a restaurant, waiting areas or hotels as well as being a great option for bars and pubs. Which you choose ultimately depends on the goal of your interior design. 

If you are looking to create an upmarket, classier interior, we would advise you side with the Chesterfield sofa. But if you are striving for a casual bar or restaurant, the comfort that the Manhattan sofa brings means that it’s hard to go against. 

Buying sofas

Both the Manhattan and Chesterfield sofas are available at Trent Furniture as an armchair, two-seater or three-seater sofa. Whichever sofa you chose, adding sofas helps to make customers feel at home and more likely to while the hours away in your café, bar or restaurant

Dry January is a month-long health kick that sees individuals stop drinking alcohol for 31 days. It’s estimated that over five million people in the UK take part in Dry January every year. That’s a significant amount of people for pubs and bars to contend with loosing for a month. 

January is already notorious for being a difficult month for pubs and bars. People are still feeling the pinch from Christmas and plenty have New Year’s resolutions to save money or to lead a healthier lifestyle. 
With plenty of customers taking up dry January, too, how can pubs and bars appeal through January?

Support the campaign

One of the worst things that pubs and bars can do is to completely disregard the Dry January campaign. Show your support for the campaign by maybe collecting money for the charities that the cause supports. Whilst other pubs nearby you might not change anything, you can differentiate yourself by embracing the event and helping those who are taking part to achieve their goal.

Give them a reason to visit

It’s true that most associate a Dry January with a month that is dull and will mostly involve them sitting at home. Socialising in Britain often involves a pint or glass of wine in hand, but why not change that stigma?

By hosting events, you can coax the non-drinkers out of their home and bring some cheer to their quiet month. Quiz nights, games nights and entertainment are all ways of bringing a crowd in.  

Embrace their needs

Now, it’s likely that you’ll already have soft drinks on offer, but what sets you from the other cafes and bars that have exactly the same soft drinks? To maintain custom with those who are ceasing their alcohol intake, create alcohol-free cocktails, alternative soft drinks, artisan coffees and speciality teas. 

The best thing that you can do is to ask those who are taking part in Dry January what drinks they’d like you to serve. Be sure to promote your plans, too. There’s no use in investing in new stock if nobody knows it’s there. 

Improve your interior

To attract customers and keep them in your bar or pub for as long as possible, you need to have an appealing, cosy interior. With bad weather outside, throws, cushions, warm lighting will make people feel right at home. Browse our collection of bar furniture. 

Michelin’s annual Pub of the Year for 2018 has been announced and it has been awarded to The Pointer, an 18th century pub in Brill, a village in Buckinghamshire. 

The charming pub beat of competition from 469 other venues across the UK to be bestowed with the accolade of Pub of the Year by Michelin's new Eating Out in Pubs guide 2018. 

The traditional red-brick inn sits in a picturesque English village. There is plenty of history behind the pub’s walls and legend has it that the Great Train Robbery was planned there. It was also where the stolen money was divided up, too.

Why did The Pointer win?

So, what was it that differentiated The Pointer from all of the other potential victors? The editor of the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs guide, Rebecca Burr, said: “Not only is it a delightful place, but it is exceedingly well run by a young, personable team. They really pay attention to detail and nothing is ever too much trouble for them.

“The frequently changing à la carte menu offers a good range of modern dishes. Presentation is first rate, refinement and precision are there in equal measure, and much use is made of organic ingredients from their farm.”

Food is very important in winning the Michelin award. Although paramount, the assessors look at much more than just the food. The award incorporates everything including food quality, atmosphere, drink offerings, service and interior décor. 

We can’t help you with all of these areas, but we can certainly help to improve your pub’s interior décor with our range of furniture. 

The Pointer’s interior

You can get a taste of The Pointer’s interior by looking at their Instagram page. In a nutshell, the interior décor is modern and unfussy. Although erring on the side of minimal, the pub has plenty of character, with several lounge areas warmed by open fires and an outside terrace and garden for sunnier days.

Buying pub furniture

At Trent Furniture, we have been working with pubs for many years. We know what lasts well and in what circumstances, as well as what fits best with a pub’s interior and existing atmosphere. 

For advice about which pub furniture would work best for your pub, give us a call on 0116 2986 866 or email us at sales@pubfurnitureuk.co.uk.

Christmas Opening Times at Trent Furniture

Well it has reached that festive time of year again and all of us at Trent Furniture will soon be taking a Christmas break. We will be closed from 5.00pm on Wednesday 20th December 2017 until 9.00am Tuesday 2nd January 2018.

You will still be able to place orders via the website and deliveries will be scheduled for week commencing 8th January. When we return on the 2nd we will be contacting all customers who have placed an order online to advise of a delivery date. If you have any questions or queries please e-mail us at sales@pubfurnitureuk.co.uk or use the contact form in the ‘Contact Us’ section of the website. All e-mail and enquires will be responded to when we re-open on the 2nd January.

Thank you to all of our customers for your custom this year, we hope to work with you again in the future and would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2018!