Restaurant Furniture Blog

The perennial argument between many restaurant owners is this: Which restaurant chairs design is best - wood, metal, plastic or combination? I have yet to read an argument that convinces me in favor of any one of those. Despite all the arguments, the reality is that all three have their benefits and their disadvantages.

Where I do sometimes question which is best, it is where one tries to copy one of the others. A good example is metal with a timber like stain, or timber that is painted to look like metal. If you want the timber look - use timber. If you want the metallic look then use metal. The plastics are somewhat of an exception. Plastics are often made with a timber-like stained finish. However, price is a major factor and for some chairs, being able to withstand weather is another.

You may argue that durability is also a major factor. Plastics outlast both metal and timber when used to make restaurant chairs. Apart from weathering, I don’t see any major difference between wood or metal. It should be remembered that we are discussing commercial quality furniture. Whether it is made from wood or metal doesn’t really have a bearing on durability. Treated properly, they will both survive for years. Treated incorrectly, and all three materials could fall apart tomorrow.

When it comes to a restaurant chairs design, the best material is one that fits in with your general decor. Unless you have specific needs beyond the norm, if timber is the finish you are looking for then select wooden chairs. If modern metal finishes are the finish you are looking for then go for metal chairs. Using one to pretend to be another just won’t cut it with your customers.