Given the countless benefits that booths can offer to the aspiring restaurateur, it makes sense that you would want to invest in them in the near future. Space maximization, increased privacy for customers and a much more convenient work environment for your servers are just some of the advantages of opting for booths. However, you still need to make a lot of decisions whilst getting your hands on them, and some of them are going to much more challenging to figure out than others.
Exploring design options is a great place to start, but sooner or later you will have to make an even more consequential decision. Basically, at some point it will become rather essential for you to decide what materials you want your restaurant booths to be made out of. There are quite a few options in that regard, so you are definitely spoiled for choice. An overabundance of choices can often lead to decision fatigue though, which is why we are going to outline your options so that you can make a more educated decision based on all of the facts!
Firstly, we are going to be discussing laminate booths. They are a tad old school, but there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of nostalgia. In fact, laminate booths can enhance the addictive quality of your restaurant’s ambiance. Customers might not even realize what exactly is drawing them to your eatery time and time again, but it wouldn’t matter since you are the one that stands to profit from their repeat business at the end of the day!
Laminate booths aren’t just nostalgic either. They can also be quite modern if you choose the right look. A pebbled or textured exterior is very chic nowadays, so you can improve your restaurant’s appeal to the upper crust by buying a few of them and laying them out appropriately. This just goes to show how versatile laminate booths can be from a stylistic standpoint, but that is just the tip of the iceberg as far as their advantages are concerned.
Another benefit that bears mention is that they are quite easy to clean. The glossy surface is naturally resistant to stains, so you won’t have to worry about accidental spills nearly as much as you otherwise would have. What’s more if you opt for a textured exterior, this can further obscure any stains that do end up sticking around.
If you want something that is just as easy to clean but has a different look and feel to it, there is a different type booth that might be right up your alley. We are talking about booths that are made of wood. While wooden booths are a lot more porous than laminate ones, which obviously means that they may be somewhat more prone to staining, they are still surprisingly easy to maintain
You will need to be somewhat more careful with wooden booths, though. Spills will need to be cleaned up right away, and you can’t use too much water otherwise the wood might absorb it and start to bulge. However, you can easily avoid this disadvantage by buying laminated wood booths.
This will give you the best of both worlds, since wood has a unique aesthetic that is absolutely perfect for cafes, casual sit down eateries as well as any other type of restaurant that does not want to appear overly ostentatious. With laminated wood, you can obtain this type of aesthetic whilst also being able to clean it without any degree of excessive difficulty.
Now, some restaurant owners might have different priorities, and neither wood nor laminate booths would satisfy those separate requirements. If you’re looking for a booth that can provide the absolute pinnacle of comfort, there really is only one option that fits the bill.
We’re talking about fabric booths, of course. That’s not to say that wood or laminate booths are uncomfortable to sit on. Far from it, they can provide an adequate level of comfort for even the most discerning and hard to please customers that will walk in through your doors.
But the thing is, fabric booths can take comfort to a whole other level. They just have the softest exterior of all available materials. That makes them ideal for restaurants that serve customers who like to stick around for a while. Fabric booths are especially well suited to bars, since they usually have customers who will spend several hours in their establishment at a time.
Now, we’ve talked about the materials that can serve as the foundation for your booths, but what about the cushioning? Foam cushions are the global standard, but you still need to think about the material that will cover the plush underlay.
You should also consider whether you want spring foam or regular foam. Spring foam has much more lumbar support, but regular foam tends to be the cheaper option and it is a decently comfortable choice as well if you are strapped for cash.
Latex tends to be a popular covering choice. It’s relatively easy to clean, and it’s also quite durable which makes it suitable for eateries that often have families coming in with their rowdy children in tow. Latex is also quite similar to faux leather, although the latter tends to have a more sophisticated vibe than the former.
Another great covering material for your foam, whether you go for spring foam or regular foam, is vinyl. We strongly believe that it is perfect for restaurants that are just starting their experiments with booths, since vinyl is long lasting without being overly pricey. It’s usually ideal for newbie restaurateurs who are still trying their level best to find their footing.