Restaurant Furniture Blog

A restaurant tables design has not changed a lot over time - at least, not from the top. Of course, the support that holds the table up has seen some significant changes. If we go back in time, a restaurant table was still a flat surface. However, the design was generally a long rectangle that sat on trestles - we still have them today and, of course, we call them trestle tables.

Early American history introduced round tables. These were often spare wagon wheels that sat on top of barrels with the center filled in and packed with clay. Left to dry, it formed a perfect table top. We are a little more sophisticated these days - at least I hope we are. Our restaurant furniture is at least made commercially to be used as furniture.

The early part of the 20th Century saw very ornate tables and chairs used in restaurant. But then, only the very well off dined in a restaurant. Eating places like hotels or inns, used either rustic round tables or a form of booth - the precursor to today’s booths. The tables used in restaurants were very well built - you can still find some in use today. They were also very heavy and hard to maneuver. As or storage, forget it - they took a lot of space.

Over time, these tables were replaced by lighter models, some with folding legs, others with metal legs. Today, the popular option is the two piece table where you buy a table top and base separately. The two are put together once they arrive at the restaurant. They are practical, look great and because they can be disassembled so easily, can be stored away whenever necessary.

Our restaurant tables design has come a long way since the early days. Sure, we still have the traditional flat top, but the size and shape have changed as has the raw materials. The next time you look at a restaurant table, think about what they looked like in the past. Thankfully, the world is full of designers who can come up with creative new ideas for our restaurant tables design.