Achieve your design and customer experience goals with upholstered hospitality furniture

 

Covered or padded with a soft material, upholstered furniture has become an interior design staple with its timeless comfort and aesthetics. Beyond residential settings, you'll often find upholstered chairs, lounges, and ottomans across hospitality and commercial spaces like restaurants, hotels, and offices, where customer comfort is a priority.

 

In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of upholstered hospitality furniture and key consideration factors when choosing between the available options.

 

Understand the pros & cons of investing in upholstered furniture for your hospitality business

 

As with any business investment, it's important to gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of selecting upholstered furniture over other popular hospitality furniture options such as timber, metal, or plastic furniture. 

 

 

Here are the main pros and cons to consider. 

 

Pros of upholstered hospitality furniture:

 

• Increased Comfort: The padding provides extra cushioning and ergonomic support, which can enhance your customer experience.
• Design Versatility: Available in various materials, colours, and patterns to seamlessly complement your space's theme.
• Durability: Hospitality-grade upholstered furniture is designed to withstand regular use within high-traffic settings.

 

Cons of upholstered hospitality furniture:

 

• Regular Maintenance: Susceptible to stains and damage over time, upholstered furniture can require more cleaning and upkeep than other materials.
• Specialised Cleaning: Compared to quick wipe down, professional cleaning and specialised upholstery products are often required.
• Upfront Cost: High-quality upholstered furniture can be more expensive than other alternatives due to the extra materials and craftsmanship required.

 

Aside from the above, another thing to consider is inevitable trend updates over the years. Whether your business needs a modern brand refresh or it's time to assess your old upholstered furniture, you can decide between reupholstering your existing furniture or replacing it altogether. Depending on your budget and perspective, this may also be a pro or a con.

 

What material should you choose for your upholstered furniture?

 

When purchasing upholstered chairs and furniture for your hospitality business, investing in high-quality, commercial-grade designs is crucial. Commercial and hospitality-grade furniture has been specifically designed for high-traffic settings, ensuring long-term durability and extra resistance to regular wear and tear. 

 

 

The double rub count is often used to test the tensile strength of a fabric and determine its durability, becoming a deciding factor. Each back-and-forth motion counts as a 'double rub' and the test aims to replicate the typical friction when customers sit and stand. 

 

The higher the double rub count, the heavier the wearing of the upholstery material. You'll generally want to look for a minimum 30,000 double rub rating for a hospitality or commercial setting. A 30,000 minimum double rub count ensures heavy-duty performance, suitable for busy spaces like hotel rooms and dining areas. 

 

Regarding upholstery materials, look for stain-resistant, easy-care commercial fabrics with high rub counts to stand the test of time.

 

Durable upholstery materials for restaurants, bars, and hotels

 

Here are some of the most popular, durable commercial upholstery materials.

 

Synthetic upholstery fabrics

 

• Vinyl: A low-maintenance synthetic material that is highly resistant to stains, liquids and abrasions and is easy to clean.
• Faux Leather: A generally thinner synthetic leather material but can be softer, more flexible and aesthetic than PVC vinyl.
• Microfibre: Mimics the plush look and feel of suede but is stain-resistant, durable and much easier to clean and maintain.
• Polyester Blends: Usually combined with cotton or wool to create a high-performing fabric that cleans easily and is resistant to fading.
• Rayon: Mimics the appearance and feel of linen, cotton and silk, with good durability.

 

Natural upholstery fabrics

 

• Full-Grain Leather: The strongest and most durable leather, which ages beautifully over time but tends to be the most expensive.¬†
• Cotton: Typically blended with other fabrics, cotton is a soft and breathable yet strong choice.
• Linen: Linen is another soft yet strong option, often manufactured as a linen-cotton blend for commercial settings.

 

What colours and patterns should you choose for your upholstered furniture?

 

Choosing upholstery colours

 

Your upholstery colours should complement your space's overall colour palette and theme to create the perfect ambience.

 

 

Neutral tones like beige and grey present a timeless and versatile option. They also give you more design flexibility if you plan to update your venue's overall aesthetic over time. 

 

On the other hand, you can choose bright, vibrant upholstery colours to make a statement or reflect your business's personality. Warm tones like reds and oranges evoke energy to create lively restaurant settings. Similarly, cooler colours like blues and greens can help to create a soothing, calming atmosphere, ideal for hotel lobbies and corporate offices. 

 

Also, if cleaning and maintenance is an important factor for you, note that any spills or stains may show up more on lighter hues, while darker colours can be more forgiving. 

 

When choosing colours for your upholstered furniture, consider your brand colours, colour psychology, and desired ambience.

 

Plain, patterned or personalised

 

Like neutral colours, plain upholstery can seamlessly complement and blend into your space, allowing other furnishing and decor choices to shine. 

 

However, incorporating simple or bold patterns can turn your upholstered furniture into focal points to reflect your restaurant's theme. Aside from creating a memorable visual experience. Patterned upholstery can also help to minimise the appearance of inevitable stains and spills.

 

 

You can also further personalise upholstered furniture with branded patterns, logos or unique designs to help your business stand out.

 

Cleaning and maintaining your upholstered furniture

 

As discussed above, spills and stains are unavoidable in busy hospitality and commercial spaces. 

 

To minimise cleaning time and maintenance costs, prioritise upholstered furniture made with commercial-grade fabrics that are easy to clean. While most modern upholstery fabrics have stain-resistant technologies, some fabrics may be harder to clean and maintain than others. 

 

Here are some quick tips to keep your upholstered furniture looking as good as new:

 

• Spot clean any spills ASAP - Using a mild detergent or specialised upholstery cleaner and a damp cloth, clean up any spills as soon as possible, preventing it from further absorption and staining.
• Vacuum regularly - Using a clean hand vacuum or upholstery brush attachment, vacuum all upholstered surfaces regularly to remove any dust, dirt, hair or crumbs, paying attention to the crevices.
• Periodic steam cleaning - Steam cleaning helps lift stains while loosening any dirt and grime accumulated on upholstered surfaces over time. Be sure to test an inconspicuous area beforehand.

 

When in doubt, consult the furniture manufacturer for specific cleaning recommendations and hire a professional cleaner.

 

 

 

 

Whether it's upholstered chairs for your cafe, resort, or any other hospitality furniture, we're always here to help! Get in touch for a quick quote or complimentary consultation today.