Wood or Metal Cafe Furniture – What Should I Choose?

Are you in the middle of planning for your new cafe? There are plenty of jobs to do from finding the right location, sourcing experienced staff, and fine-tuning your menu. However, one task that you need to give careful consideration to is your choice of cafe furniture. Typically wood or metal cafe furniture is the most popular, but what should you choose? We’ve put together a few tips to help you decide.

Go by the theme or type of café

With the popularity of social media, cafe owners nowadays need to create decors and interiors that are Instagram-worthy – that is if they want to get their name out there. When it comes to choosing between wood or metal furniture, it needs to fit in the theme or vibe that you’re trying to create. Wood is considered more stylish and/or traditional and is a good choice whether you’re planning a traditional cosy cafe or a more up-market venue. Metal furniture on the other hand is ideal for an industrial décor or for a minimalist theme.

If you’re also planning an outdoor seating area then, first of all, you need to ensure that the furniture you choose is suitable for outdoor use. Aluminium is a great choice of metal that can be used outdoors throughout the year whereas if you want wood, it’s best to choose a wood such as teak that has been treated for outdoor use.

Wood or metal cafe furniture – Maintenance

Another tip to bear in mind when choosing between wood or metal cafe furniture is how much maintenance it requires.

Wooden furniture will need regular checking to ensure that any nuts or bolts holding it all in place are tight or that the joints are sound. It’s relatively easy to keep clean simply by wiping it down with a duster to remove any debris or dust.

Metal furniture is usually low maintenance as often the joints are welded and there are no nuts and bolts to check. Again, it’s easy to clean with just a cloth.

What we will point out is that some people make the mistake of buying residential furniture which simply isn’t designed for frequent use throughout every day and will soon show signs of wear and tear. Instead, be sure to choose commercial grade furniture as this can withstand all the daily rigours of the busiest cafe.

Understand your customer’s need and expectations

It’s also important to choose your furniture based on your target market. For example, if you’re planning to attract young professionals on their way to work and in their lunch break, consider metal furniture that is sleek and contemporary. Whereas if it’s mainly families that will be using your cafe, then booth seating is probably something they would prefer for that bit of privacy that it affords.

You may also want to consider investing in a communal wooden table that perhaps freelancers could sit at during the day while providing alternative seating arrangements for your other customers.

Budget is key

Last of all, when choosing between wood and metal cafe furniture keep your budget in mind before rushing in. Your furniture is likely to take up a large section of your budget so be sure to get high-quality furniture from a trusted supplier that’s well-established in the industry.

Of course, if you can’t make up your mind between wood and metal cafe furniture, why not have both? Lots of furniture combines wood and metal which also helps to create different and interesting textures when you’re considering your décor.

At Café Furniture Melbourne we stock a wide range of quality wood and metal cafe furniture so why not browse our online store. We’re accepting orders online for delivery and can also provide contactless collection or delivery by appointment.