Summer’s almost here and it’s time to spruce up that outdoor space to make the most of passing trade. It’s the time of year when everyone wants to be sitting outside soaking up the sunshine and relaxing with a long drink of something cool. With so many Melbourne cafe’s vying for attention it’s more important than ever to make your outdoor space more inviting and consider putting some summer specials on your menu too.

How to give your outdoor terrace a quick makeover

There’s no use investing in new cafe furniture or painting walls if you haven’t got a clean and tidy space to work with; So first things first, give your terrace a good sweep and, if necessary, use a power washer to clean up your tiles or paving slabs.

If you’ve got an enclosed area then a coat of fresh paint on the walls will work wonders. To soften some of the hard edges, why not put up some trellis and plant some colourful climbers to spread across your walls. Choose some scented varieties if you can to add to the ambience of summer. If you’re not green fingered then you could always attach some colourful wall plaques or pots o your walls instead.

With your terrace now looking fresh and clean, it’s time to think about upgrading your cafe furniture if it’s looking a little tired and jaded. Attractive cafe furniture is one sure-fire way of attracting passers-by, especially if it’s colourful.

Investing in outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture comes in a vast range of styles, materials, and colours but the most important thing is to ensure that you buy commercial grade furniture. Any other type of furniture simply isn’t designed for frequent daily use.

Another tip when deciding which type of furniture to buy is to choose something that complements your indoor cafe furniture. If you’ve got traditional furniture inside then keep it the same outdoors and naturally, if you have modern tastes, then carry this through so as not to confuse customers. If you’re choosing new cafe furniture throughout then it could be a good idea to choose furniture which is designed for indoor and outdoor use.

How to create flow from one area to another

One of the easiest ways to make your indoor and outdoor space flow is by using a colour which complements the furniture you have inside. For instance, if you have black cafe tables inside then use these outdoors too but consider using coloured chairs to create a more vibrant space that smacks of summer. Polypropylene chairs are a great choice in this respect because they come in a wide range of vibrant bold colours. Our Specta chairs are simplistic in style but boy do they pack a punch if you’re looking to inject colour! From purple to red and orange to yellow it’s easy to create a kaleidoscope of colour on your terrace. Other colourful options include our designer inspired Stephanie chairs which feature a pretty cutout backrest and our Belle chairs which come in a choice of styles too.

Another popular range of chairs for the summer is our Parisian chairs. Oozing with French charm they look delightful when paired with timber topped tables for more of a rustic look or with stainless steel tables for modernity. Add in some planters filled with foliage and colourful blooms, throw up some parasols for shade, and your terrace will soon be filled with happy smiling customers.

At Cafe Furniture Melbourne we’ve got a wide range of outdoor cafe furniture styles to choose from so why not take a look and get inspired?

With so much competition in the cafe industry, cafes are having to fight harder than ever to maintain or increase their share of customer spending. One way to do this is to make your cafe more attractive, more comfortable, and more efficient. This means taking a careful look at your design in general and in particular your furniture.

Pull up a seat

Let’s start with cafe furniture. A relatively easy way of giving your cafe a facelift is to invest in some new cafe chairs and tables. It’s surprising how much brighter and smarter an interior becomes with the addition of new furniture. Don’t forget, while it may seem tempting to go for cheaper furniture, only commercial grade furniture is designed to stand up to the rigours of a bustling environment.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that if your cafe is to survive you may need to think about broadening your customer base. Furniture can help by sending out the message that your cafe isn’t a boring old place stuck in a time warp but instead, a bright, welcoming, inclusive place. A large comfy sofa or some tub chairs and low tables can transform a corner or wall and turn it into a cosy retreat. Modern, tall stools can be placed up against a counter for solo customers. There’s no need to adhere to a single style either. Cross back metal Bentwood chairs in light timber could be matched with Isotop table tops in Alcantara black and our tall Tolix stools are available with a solid wood seat or an upholstered version for greater comfort.

Home comforts

Design trends come and go so it would cost you a packet to follow the changes from one year to the next. However, there are some long term trends which are worth considering. For many years a common trend has been for cafe interiors to become more homely with an emphasis on tradition and comfort. With this in mind, wooden furniture, tub chairs, and even some cushions could be the way to go.

You also want to think about disabled access. Is there enough space between your tables for a person in a wheelchair to be able to move freely? Bolt-down table bases are a good choice if you’re investing in new tables since their streamlined style gives more room for chairs to be pushed right in beneath the tables. Don’t forget also that wheelchair users are often accompanied by one or more friends or family members, so by catering to their needs, you’re also welcoming a larger group of customers. Everyone’s a winner!

Keep the noise down

Another consideration is noise. You might want to consider investing in some booth seating. Surprisingly these take up less space than a table and four chairs and customers enjoy the privacy and relative quietness that a booth gives.

Finally, one long term trend worth keeping in mind is mixing up colours, styles, and finishes to make your cafe stand out from others, injecting your personality into it.

At Cafe Furniture Melbourne we’ve got an extensive range of cafe furniture to choose from. What’s more we’re currently running a promotion on all table tops, so there’s never been a better time to upgrade your cafe furniture.

While you may think the success of a good cafe is down to the quality of coffee that it serves you’d be wrong in most cases. The key to running a successful cafe is to create the sort of ambience that tempts customers to stay for longer and indeed, to share their experience with their friends. Industrial design has seen a huge surge in popularity over recent years and has been a growing trend with cafes and bars.

What is industrial furniture?

The key strength of industrial furniture lies in its stripped back, raw, simplistic style. While styles can vary from simple minimalist to more complex aesthetics, the hallmark of industrial furniture relatively remains the same in that less is more.

Industrial furniture is largely recognised as having a distinctive mix of wood and metal. This has meant that many cafe owners have refurbished their venues to include an industrial décor in order to create an atmosphere and ambience which is loved by young professionals, in particular. The warmth of wood tones contrast with the coolness of metal to bring a relaxing and calm ambience to any space.

Why is industrial furniture so popular with commercial venues?

Industrial furniture uses robust materials which means that this quality furniture can last a lifetime, which in anyone’s books has to be a great return on investment. Another reason is that industrial furniture is incredibly simple, which in turn equate to less maintenance. Nuts, bolts, and rivets are typically left in full view and while this adds to its charm, it’s also a sign of a great build. In a venue such as a cafe where furniture is getting a lot of use, you just can’t go wrong with industrial furniture.

How to achieve an industrial style

Industrial style is all about making a feature of the rough side by getting rid of a tidy finish and replacing it with raw and less than perfect elements. Although you may not have the restored factory style complete with exposed brick work and pipes to help create the industrial feel, you can still achieve the look with industrial style furniture. Hardworking materials such as cement, wood and metal are essential to the look and can be easily paired with industrial style chairs, tables, and bar stools.

Although not typically industrial, try using key pieces of soft seating to complement the industrial look. Our tub chair upholstered in charcoal fabric is perfect for an industrial theme and adds those important elements of warmth and comfort.

While the Tolix brand springs to mind when putting together an industrial look there are plenty of other designs which can be used to good effect. Our Cargo stools stand out from the crowd with their timber seats and steel frame. Or for something totally different, why not consider our Drum stools which can be customised in the broad white bands to advertise your brand. The Detroit stool with its adjustable height is another stool that fits into an industrial theme really well. Don’t forget your tables either. You may not have raw concrete in evidence but how about incorporating our ‘cement’ Isotop table tops into your design. When paired with black metal bases, they really look the part. Finally, any industrial design needs a pendant light or two, as these are great for task lighting over your countertops.

If you fancy embracing the industrial style then we can help. At Cafe Furniture Melbourne we have a wide range of industrial style furniture so why not browse our online store or drop by our showroom to take a closer look for yourself?

Are you thinking of revamping your cafe’s interior in 2019? If transforming the interior of your cafe once you’ve seen the old year out and the new year in is likely to feature at the top of your New Year resolutions list, then we’ve put together some of the top interior design trends you might like to consider.

Earthy Tones

We challenge you to flick through a home décor magazine and not notice the prevalence of the earth tone colour palette. To be honest, it’s one of our favourites which works particularly well if you’re trying to create an ambience that feels warm and welcoming. Green is back (did it ever go away?) and this is reflected in interiors comprising green and earthy shades. As such grey and beige is back as are neutral shades contrasted with warmer colours such as deep rich blues, terracotta, and warm shades of green. To achieve this look for yourself why not create a statement wall by painting one of your walls a deep shade of terracotta and leaving the others a pale beige. Pale timber table tops surrounded by wood furniture such as our bentwood chairs or our ladder back chairs with caramel cushions would work really well to create warmth and depth.

Bold wallpaper

We’re suckers for bold wallpaper and if you’re looking to make a statement then papering just one wall of your cafe with a colourful print featuring birds, foliage, tropical flowers and the like, is an easy and inexpensive way to do so. Go on…. go mad!

Ice cream colours

Who doesn’t like ice cream? We certainly do! Pretty pastel shades like soft pink, vanilla, pale lemon, and chocolate can be mixed and matched to create a look that’s so yummy you could almost eat it. You can experiment with one of these tutti frutti colours on a single wall or several if you’re feeling especially brave. Alternatively try introducing one or more of these colours with accessories such as dining chairs, pendant lamps, or tableware.

Rugs on walls

Yes, we know that most people use rugs on their floor to create a feeling of warmth and cosiness but how about hanging a couple on your walls to create a textural piece of artwork? It’s not quite as crazy as it sounds.

Statement ceilings

Let’s face it, most of us are too preoccupied trying to decide on a colour for all 4 walls that by the time we get around to the ceiling it’s easier to reach for a pot of white paint. A statement ceiling can totally transform the look of your cafe and also makes a talking point. If your room is already decorated but you feel it lacks that certain something …… then try looking up!

At Cafe Furniture Melbourne, we don’t just offer design advice we also stock a wide range of cafe furniture in all sorts of designs, colours, materials, and sizes. Why not browse our online store for inspiration or take a visit to our showroom where you can see our products first hand. See you there!

Whether you run a cafe or coffee shop or are looking to open one you may be wondering what is the best way to approach its interior, décor, and furniture. We’ve put together a few tips to help you.

Know your customers

While this might seem an obvious point, it’s still worth ys pointing out that there’s very little point in opening a trendy industrial style cafe complete with Edison light bulbs and exposed brick walls if your potential clientele are seniors more interested in gingham table clothes, wood panelling, and pretty teapots on the table, and vice versa. Ultimately it’s a good idea to place yourself somewhere in the middle with a cozy comfortable look which will attract older clientele as well as younger, more trendy customers.

Mix and match coffee shop and bistro furniture

There is nothing that states that all your cafe furniture has to match. Instead, the great thing about independent cafes is that you don’t have to settle for the uniform look of the larger chains. Try mixing and matching your cafe chairs for a casual look or add some bar tables and high stools for elevation. You can give it your own stamp of personality with character in abundance to make it stand out from the crowd.

Up the wall

Whether your walls are painted, wallpapered, or exposed brick, they serve as a  canvas on which to showcase your cafe’s individuality. Customers like homemade and local touches so why not try to source vintage maps of your suburb and have them framed and mounted on the wall. Alternatively you might consider hanging artwork from local artists which is a great way to add colour and interest. Rotating your exhibitions is also likely to encourage customers to come back on a regular basis.

Light fantastic

Edison light bulbs are commonplace in industrial styled interiors so you might want to think outside of the box a little more. Lights inset into your walls can create a softer lighting and add a warm upward glow while pendant lights with wire shades add atmosphere.

Rather than rows of straight lighting suspended over your tables try varying the style and length of your lighting. LED lighting can be placed at floor level along the edge of a room or set above a table where your condiments, cutlery, and sauces are displayed. Also, remember that natural light is best so why not consider installing a skylight in the ceiling and keep windows as clutter free as possible.

Flowers on the tables

Flowers immediately brighten up a table but you don’t have to place them in traditional vases. Instead, why not consider old enamel or china teapots, decorative jam jars, large drinking glasses or even something more quirky like a branded food tin.

Finally, don’t forget that coffee is in itself an attractive commodity. You could store dark shiny coffee beans in pretty glass jars on a shelf around your cafe or behind your counter. Or why not use jars half filled with coffee beans as quirky candle holders?

Don’t worry too much about trends, instead remember if your cafe looks warm, friendly, and welcoming then you’ve got it right.

Whether you’re just starting out or remodelling your cafe, deciding which kinds of tables and chairs to fit out your venue can be quite a challenge. We’ve put together a short guide containing our recommendations for cafe seating.

Comfort is key

Cafes tend to have a high turnover of customers but their clientele varies from those visiting fast food restaurants. Typically customers that visit cafes are looking to enjoy a snack in a comfortable but casual setting. They’ll normally spend longer sitting and enjoying their food. As a result, it’s important that the seating you provide is comfortable. Cafe customers also looking for a venue with nice décor and a relaxing ambience, so stylish furniture is also a necessity.

Seating

Wood chairs and wood and metal chairs are a good choice for cafes. Wood has a warm natural look about it and is usually more comfortable than metal chairs. Some examples of comfortable wood chairs are our Ladderback chairs which come in a variety of colours and our Bentwood chairs which come in different designs. If you want the look of wood but the sturdiness of metal then our Bow chairs make a great choice. These have a metal frame finished to look like timber and a padded vinyl seat.

Wood and metal chairs are a good compromise for those wanting a robust metal frame and the attractive aesthetics of wood. One example of this type of seating is our Tolix chair which comes with a timber seat.

Many cafes have outdoor patios and pavement dining areas and for these situations we recommend chairs that can withstand the elements. Polypropylene chairs are a good choice because they’re light and easy to move around and can withstand sun and rain. They come in an exciting variety of styles and colours. Another option is our Parisian chairs which look great both outside and indoors. These chairs use nylon wicker to give the look of natural rattan but are more durable and weather resistant. They also have a lightweight aluminium frame which makes them easy to move from one place to another. Another benefit of these chairs is that they stack for convenient storage at the end of the day.

As we mentioned earlier quality is key so always buy chairs intended for commercial use and in particular look out for those that have passed AFRDI tests.

Booths

Booth seating is another great choice for cafes and is popular with customers because they offer a greater degree of privacy. Booth seating is generally more comfortable than cafe chairs because they’re upholstered with padded seats and backrests. They’re ideal for customers looking for a comfortable and quiet setting where they can unwind with a coffee or meal after a busy day at the office.

Tables

Solid wood tables are always a popular choice for cafes because they lend elegance and charm to the setting. As many cafes have wood floors, they fit in really well with the décor too and the tables can be stained for a perfect match. Another smart choice is laminated table tops. These are a less expensive option and take on the aesthetics of the material they’re replicating be it wood, marble, granite, and even cement. They’re more durable than wood tables and easier to wipe clean and maintain. We have a wide range of Isotop tabletops in all shapes and sizes.

Cafe Furniture Melbourne stocks a comprehensive range of cafe furniture to suit all tastes and budgets. Why not browse our online store or visit our showroom where you can see our products close up. Meanwhile, if you need any help in choosing your cafe furniture just give us a call and we’ll be pleased to help. Call today on (03) 9344 1623.

If you want to become a front-runner in the cafe industry it’s important to consider how to create a pleasant ambience in your cafe design. Good food, good layout, and the right furniture all contribute to standing your cafe out and making a wonderful experience which will see customers coming back for more.

From planning just the right seating layout of a cafe to creating a captivating interior, a lot of time and thought has usually gone into the planning of a successful cafe venture. This investment in your time is well worth it as modern-day diners go to cafes to spend quality time with families and friends and well as to savour delicious coffee and yummy snacks. Consider the following 3 tips to make your cafe the ‘go to cafe in town’.

1# Well planned convenient cafe seating area

Getting your layout right is crucial to the bottom line of your cafe business. The seating area defines both the comfort and privacy of your customers and that’s where the significance of good quality cafe tables and chairs comes in. A few of the ways customers perceive whether a layout is well designed are the size and style of your tables and chairs, how comfortable seating is over a longer period of time, how flexible the space is, and how attractive the dining area is overall. The style and material of your cafe furniture is one element which can make or break the ambience of your cafe. While there is a place for plastic chairs and tables, a customer entering a quality cafe would expect to find stylish tub chairs, booth seating, Bentwood or Tolix chairs, and perhaps the odd sofa or two thrown in.

2# Great looking outdoor spaces

Does your cafe have an outside area that is underused and underestimated? Why not consider optimising the potential of this area by sprucing it up with some fabulous furniture and a dazzling design? If there are a jumble of faded, patterned tables and chairs which don’t do justice to your outdoor dining space, then it’s time to get rid of them. Replace your furniture with some innovative designs in tables and chairs. There are lots of premium designs in polypropylene, rattan, and aluminium which are lightweight and designed specifically for an outdoor area. You’ll be surprised what you can create with laminate table tops designed to look like granite or real wood and paired with colourful replica designer chairs that are sure to turn heads. Throw in some parasols for shade and some green foliage, and customers will feel relaxed and stress-free.

3# Smarter ways to revamp problem areas

While cramming your dining space with as many tables and chairs as you can gives you the ability to cater for more covers, in reality, it often has quite the opposite effect. Have you ever been to a cafe where the tables are so close to each other that not only is it impossible to move freely between tables but you can hear every word of the conversation the people sitting there are having? If you crowd 4 people around a table intended for two or six people into a booth for 4, they’ll feel uncomfortable and even if you do serve the best coffee, they’re unlikely to come back. Instead consider what might be your problem areas such as tables too close to the toilets, a noisy kitchen, or an entrance way that’s too cold. Focus on placing the right size and style of furniture in the right size of space. For instance, a tiny recess with a small bistro table and 2 chairs plus a candle on the table can create a romantic space for couples looking for some privacy.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re running a tiny coffee shop or an upmarket restaurant, what matters most is giving your customers a positive experience which turns them into loyal customers who visit time and time again.

At Cafe Furniture Melbourne we stock a wide range of top quality cafe furniture in styles, sizes, shapes, materials and colours to create just the cafe ambience you’re after.