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In this hotel furniture guide, we provide useful tips and advice for finding the most comfortable and luxurious furniture for your hotel lobby.

These days, the hotel lobby is far more than just a functional waiting space for people to use as they check in and out or wait for a taxi. As the first thing your guests see when they walk through your doors, it’s important that your hotel lobby sets the scene as a welcoming and comfortable hub where guests and visitors will actively want to spend time relaxing, working or socialising.

The best chairs for your hotel lobby

Whether it’s a weary traveller looking for a comfortable place to sit down after a long flight or a job candidate meeting a potential employer for a coffee, your lobby furniture will be used for a variety of purposes and as far as budgets and space allow, it’s important to reflect that.

The good news is that mixing different styles of chairs works well aesthetically as well as practically, as long as the pieces you choose reflect your hotel’s overall interior theme. For example, a cosy and traditional British hotel lobby can make great use of classic furniture in warm hues such as the faux leather Manhattan Sofa (shown above) and Manhattan Armchair paired with the stylish and comfortable Portobello Tub Chair. As well as being an attractive option, available in chic Autumn or Cappuccino check fabrics, the Portobello Chair is a versatile choice as it can be paired with a low coffee table for guests to enjoy a drink, or with a dining-height table, when they need to get on with some work on their laptop.

Choosing tables for your lobby

As with chairs, a range of tables is ideal for your hotel lobby to accommodate different uses and different sizes of groups in comfort. The classic and functional style of Trent Furniture’s Shaker Table, which is available in a variety of finishes, sizes and rectangular, round and square shapes, is a perfect choice for creating a seamless theme in your lobby using a variety of different types and sizes of table.

Creating a space that works

No matter what design theme you go for, it’s important to remember that your lobby is a busy space that needs to cater for a constant stream of guests coming and going, many of whom will have luggage with them. With that in mind, while it’s important to provide ample seating, it’s also crucial not to overfill the room and to pay particular attention to leaving space free for people to move around in heavy footfall areas such as near the door or at reception.

Of course, constant use also means wear and tear so it’s important to choose hard-wearing contract grade furniture such as Trent Furniture’s durable and stylish range of hotel furniture which is built to last and keep your hotel lobby looking fresh and smart for years to come.

Finishing flourishes

As the centrepiece of your hotel, the furniture you choose for your lobby is key. Once it’s in place, it’s time to think about other useful touches such as complimentary water for guests to help themselves to, magazines and newspapers and of course good Wi-Fi and plenty of charging points so they can relax and enjoy the comfortable space you have created.

For more information on Trent Furniture’s fantastic range of durable, comfortable and chic hotel furniture, please click below to get in touch and find out more.

If you run a business in the hospitality industry, then you’re likely to have heard the terms "contract furniture" and "commercial furniture". In this blog we will look at why opting for contract furniture could be the best choice for your venue.

What is contract furniture?

Contract furniture can be defined as furniture intended for commercial use. It is designed and manufactured with durability and commercial safety standards in mind. This makes it perfect for use in settings like restaurants, cafes, bars and similar venues.

Why choose contract furniture?

To go into more detail on why it’s a smart move to opt for commercial quality furniture, it’s necessary to explore the top reasons for doing so.

Durability

Domestic furniture tends to see less use than pieces in a commercial setting. Just think about how many times a chair is sat on, cleaned, and moved in a pub vs your kitchen at home, for this reason, contract furniture tends to be built in a more robust way, with strengthened elements and hardwearing finishes and upholstery. This often includes:

• Weatherproof coatings
• Scratch resistant tops
• High density foam
• Hardwood frames
• UV resistance
• Lacquer coating

A great example of durable commercial furniture is our popular Washington Side Chair which is made from hardwearing beechwood and coated with a hardwearing lacquer. Tables with cast iron feet are also a top pick as they are incredibly sturdy and durable – the Olympic Pedestal Table is a great option. Finally, when it comes to outdoor pieces, opting for furniture like the Plaza Armchair is a good move since it is both UV and water-resistant so can stand up to the elements.

Value

Commercial furniture may seem like an investment at first, but the cost of replacing lower quality pieces over time soon adds up. When buying contract quality, you are investing in furniture that is designed to last and stand up to heavy use. Plus, you can often find savings when buying furniture packages or scooping up sales and offer prices when they come along.

Contract furniture standards and regulations

Furniture used in a commercial setting must meet certain legal standards and requirements. In the UK this is covered by regulations like British Standard BS 7176 and CRIB5 testing.

It’s important to ensure furniture purchased for commercial settings is compliant with these regulations. This is not only for the safety of customers and staff, but also from a business perspective. If your establishment is found to be using furniture that doesn’t adhere to these regulations, penalties could be enforced.

When purchasing commercial chairs from Trent Furniture you can be confident that they meet UK requirements. All of our products are made using fire retardant high-density foam and our upholstery fabrics are all CRIB5.

How to choose contract furniture for your venue

When it comes to choosing furniture for your venue you will want to opt for pieces that are fit for purpose but also look great. At Trent Furniture, many of our commercial furniture pieces can be customised with different finishes, so you can find something to fit perfectly with your existing decor.

You can contact the Trent Furniture team here and they will be happy to help with any queries you have, or begin browsing our contract furniture offers online now.

From the gilded thrones of pharaohs in ancient Egypt to the invention of the wheeled office chair many of us sit on today, chairs have seen many changes over the years. We’ve put together a short overview of some of the key points during the history of the chair.

Who Invented the Chair?

The invention of the chair cannot be attributed to a single individual, as chairs have evolved over thousands of years. The earliest chairs date back to ancient Egypt, around 2680 BCE, where they were used as symbols of status and authority by pharaohs and the elite. These early chairs were often made of wood and adorned with carvings, ivory, or gold. Over time, chairs became more functional and widespread, with variations appearing in ancient Greece, Rome, and China. While no single person invented the chair, its development reflects humanity's ingenuity in creating comfortable and practical seating solutions.

Chairs through Ancient History

Egypt

In ancient Egypt chairs were used by people of great importance such as pharaohs or priests who used raised thrones to place themselves above those they ruled over.

These thrones would likely have been crafted out of materials like ivory or carved and gilded wood and metal. If covered, they would have used luxurious and costly materials.

Rome

In ancient Rome we see a couple of new seating styles appear:

• Roman daybeds – also known as divans, these long bed style seats were perfect for lounging and could be found in the homes of wealthy Romans.
• Curule chair – often made of or veneered in ivory, this foldable, x-shaped chair was a symbol of political or military power.
• Bench seating – found in the Colosseum, bench seating was the perfect way to cater for the masses piling into amphitheatres for entertainment.

Greece

In ancient Greece bench style seating for the masses was also a popular choice in amphitheatres.

We also see the introduction of the Klismos chair - a sleek looking piece of furniture thanks to its sabre-like legs and curved back and sides. Whilst not as exclusive as its Roman counterpart the Curule, it was still likely to have been used more by high status people like philosophers and scholars rather than the masses.

Chairs in the 17th and 18th Century

Jumping forward to more modern times, we start to see the development of chairs as we know them today. Whilst basic timber chairs became a popular choice, a few events led to the creation of some of the most popular chair styles we see today:

Charles Darwin and the Office Chair

Did you know that one of the earliest innovators of the office chair was Charles Darwin? The renowned scientist put wheels on the chair in his study so he could get to his specimens more quickly and from this the wheeled office chair was created!

The Industrial Revolution

When it comes to the production of chairs for the masses, the industrial revolution sped things up dramatically. Occurring between 1760 and 1840, the industrial revolution allowed more chairs to be produced quickly and for a lower cost, making them more widely available to those outside of the upper classes.

20th Century and Modern Chairs

The 20th century has seen the technology used in chair design come on in leaps and bounds. We begin to see more materials being used, such as metals and plastics.

Many of the designs from this period have led to the products we see used in homes and commercial settings today. Some of the standout styles include metal folding chairs, metal-legged chairs like our Oxford Steel Stacking Chair, moulded plastic chairs, recliner chairs, egg chairs and many more!

Want to learn more about the history of chairs? Check out our articles on the history of the Tolix chair, Bentwood chair and Windsor chair.

Chairs for your venue

Alternatively, if you’re looking for new seating for your venue, Trent Furniture has a wide variety of styles – from traditional wooden dining chairs to modern metal stools. Click now to view all chairs.

As people continue to become more conscious of the life-cycle of products, from fashion to furniture, the trend towards reclaimed and vintage pieces doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Whether your establishment has a classic vintage feel or is more contemporary and industrial, you can find (or even make!) some incredible repurposed furniture pieces to suit any style, that will really help set you apart from the competition.

Design to a theme

Having a consistent theme across your interior design and marketing assets will always help to make your business more memorable and enticing, especially in the current age of influencers and Instagram.

If your restaurant has a 1960s theme for example, a vintage car bonnet could be upcycled into the perfect eye-catching bar. Or, for a nautical theme, some old oars and reclaimed wood can be made into tables that are sure to get people talking. Alternatively, making use of pipes, metal and exposed brick is a tried and tested way of achieving an industrial look.

No matter the theme you choose, you’ll be able to find great pieces at affordable prices that you can turn into something truly incredible.

Combining old and new

Upcycling can be time consuming, especially for larger items of furniture and it can be hard to find multiple items that could work together once reclaimed. Unless you’re going for a ‘shabby chic’ or mismatched theme, the best approach when it comes to upcycling is to create one or two statement pieces, and combine these old items with newer items of furniture.

Our Chesterfield Three-Seater Sofa is the perfect item for casual dining or waiting areas, combining comfort with classic style. The brown faux leather offers a stylish finish that is understated enough to make your upcycled pieces the star of the show. Similarly, our Rectangular Gothic Table would work perfectly alongside vintage pieces from the early 20th century thanks to its striking case iron legs.

The benefits of upcycling furniture

Upcycling as an interior design trend arguably started due to the unique aesthetic it allows you to create, thanks to most items of furniture being bespoke just for your premises. But this is not the only benefit that your business can make the most of.

The purpose of upcycling is ultimately to give a new lease of life to old furniture and décor that may have seen better days. By finding furniture or unused materials at car boot sales and scrap yards you can get them for a fraction of the price of brand-new items, offering the perfect solution for a smaller budget. And, not only will you be saving money, but you’ll be helping to save the environment too by recycling products that otherwise would have been destined for landfill.

What’s more, upcycling can help set you apart from the rest thanks to the one-of-a-kind pieces you can create. This is especially great for chain restaurants, allowing you to establish a unique identity that is specific to your location.

Using upcycled furniture safely

When you buy new furniture for your business, it will have been designed specifically to meet a number of regulations for contract use, such as fire safety. When upcycling your own furniture, you must therefore make sure that it meets all the necessary guidelines in order to keep your customers safe, by ensuring it is finished to a high standard, can be easily cleaned and doesn’t use any highly flammable materials.

You will also want to make sure that it can withstand a high level of constant use, so you can get the most value from your money and it will last for years to come.

No matter the reason behind the choice to use reclaimed furniture in your pub, restaurant or café, there are many different ways for you to achieve your desired style. Whether you’re simply reclaiming old materials or completely repurposing objects, a few simple changes can make a big impact.

At Trent Furniture, we offer a wide range of furniture for pubs, restaurants and cafes to compliment any theme, including retro and classic styles that would work perfectly alongside a statement upcycled piece. Browse our range of contract furniture to discover the possibilities, or get in touch today to discuss your requirements.

Whether you’ve noticed rattan furniture as you scroll through your Instagram feed or in your neighbour’s back garden, there’s no mistaking this style of furniture is having a moment in 2021. However, rattan has a long history of popularity all over the world as a material for creating both indoor and outdoor furniture.

Where does rattan come from?

Rattan is a vinelike palm which grows in forests. There are roughly 600 species of it in existence. It wraps around different plants and trees and grows up them to get as much sunlight as possible. Rattan typically comes from tropical areas of Africa, Australia, and Asia. Because it grows so fast, it’s a reliable source of income for local communities.

Harvesting rattan

Rattan is harvested by farmers all year round. It’s an almost indestructible substance which can’t be split or broken, so it’s cut into large strips and collected for processing before selling. If the strips are thin enough, they can be left in the sun and smoked, otherwise they can be boiled in oil to ensure they are fully dried. When cut into small strips, rattan can be woven to make furniture and baskets. Some species of rattan can also be used as dyes or eaten, although we wouldn’t recommend chewing on your new chairs!

Using rattan to make furniture

Rattan furniture was introduced to Europe at the beginning of the 19th century and has remained popular ever since.  A previous notable spike in the popularity of rattan furniture came in the 1930s and 1940s when it was in fashion for a wide range of furniture including tables, chairs, beds and desks. 2021 has once again seen an increase in popularity of natural materials for furniture and rattan fits perfectly into this trend. Nowadays, it’s used largely for garden, summerhouse and conservatory furniture.

Can rattan withstand the British weather?

Although natural rattan is not weatherproof, a lot of synthetic rattan furniture is. The quality of the materials, the frame and the weave will be a huge factor in whether your furniture can cope with the unpredictable UK weather. Trent Furniture’s range of synthetic rattan furniture is both UV and water resistant, so you can use it both indoors and out. However, there are a few things you can do to make sure your new tables and chairs stay in perfect condition:

• Clean with warm water and a splash of washing up liquid every few weeks and dry with a cloth.
• Cover your furniture or stow away in winter or other harsh conditions.
• Let it breathe - when the sun is out, remove your covers to prevent mould from building up.

Pictured: our water-resistant black rattan chair

Why we love rattan

Rattan furniture is lightweight, affordable and stylish. It can be treated with many stains and paints, meaning it’s available in all sorts of colours so you can easily find something to suit your needs, whether you are looking to furnish your conservatory or your garden. With our range of synthetic rattan and wicker furniture, we’re certain you’ll be thrilled with your purchase.

If you any questions about our rattan furniture just click below to contact us or call 0116 2989 335 and our team will be happy to help.