How to Choose Cafe Chairs: A Commercial Buyer’s Guide

Choosing chairs for a cafe or restaurant is a practical decision as much as an aesthetic one. This guide covers the key factors commercial buyers need to consider before placing an order.

Start with Your Floor Plan

Before choosing a style or material, work out how many seats your floor plan can support. Allow 0.9 to 1.1 m² of floor space per seat, accounting for the table footprint, chair depth when pulled out and walkway clearance. In a 60 m² dining room, this typically supports between 40 and 55 seats.

The number of seats you need determines your budget per chair. If you are furnishing 50 seats with a total seating budget of $5,000, that is $100 per chair — which rules out high-end upholstered dining chairs but leaves a strong selection of commercial options available.

Choose the Right Chair Type for Your Venue

Different chair styles suit different venue types. The main categories to consider:

Bentwood chairs are a strong all-rounder: lightweight, stackable, durable and available in multiple finishes. They work in casual cafes, bistros and mid-range restaurants across timber, stained and painted finishes.

Tub chairs offer more comfort for longer dine-in visits. Their enclosed back and seat design suits restaurants and club dining rooms where guests spend extended time at the table.

Parisian chairs are ideal for venues with a European or French-inspired aesthetic. The open metalwork frame and compact footprint work well in smaller cafes and courtyard settings.

Plastic chairs are practical for high-turnover cafes and outdoor-adjacent areas. Modern commercial-grade plastic chairs are stackable, UV-resistant and available in a wide range of colours.

Match Materials to Your Environment

Indoor venues can use most chair materials — timber, metal, upholstered frames or plastic. For semi-outdoor, covered alfresco or areas exposed to humidity, avoid untreated timber. Powder-coated steel, aluminium and resin chairs handle moisture and temperature variation better than solid timber.

If your venue runs air conditioning for extended periods, check that the upholstery does not crack under repeated temperature changes. Vinyl holds up better than fabric in cold, climate-controlled environments.

Prioritise Commercial Certification Over Price

The most important specification for cafe and restaurant chairs is commercial weight rating and structural certification. Look for chairs that carry a weight rating of 120 kg or above and are tested to Australian commercial-use standards or the equivalent European EN 16139 specification for non-domestic seating.

Avoid chairs marked only for domestic use. They are not built for the daily loading cycles of a commercial venue and will fail faster — leading to replacement costs and potential liability issues.

Think About Stackability and Maintenance

In a cafe or restaurant, chairs are moved, stacked, cleaned and restacked every day. Chairs that do not stack require more storage space and take longer to handle during setup and closing. Most bentwood chairs, metal frame chairs and plastic chairs stack. Fully upholstered dining chairs typically do not. If you have limited storage space, confirm stackability before ordering.

For maintenance, consider how the seat surface handles daily cleaning. Vinyl and lacquered timber surfaces wipe down in seconds. Fabric upholstery requires more care and will need to be replaced more frequently in a food-service environment.

Order a Sample Before Buying in Volume

Before committing to a full order, request a sample or visit the showroom. Colours and finishes look different on screen than in person, and seat comfort is difficult to assess from a product image. Check the finish quality on the sample: look for even lacquer coverage, secure joint connections and consistent seat pad attachment. These details indicate quality control across the production run.

Where to Buy Cafe Chairs in Australia

The Cafe Furniture Company supplies commercial chairs to cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs across Australia from a large in-stock range. The showroom is located at Unit 17, 31 Maddox Street, Alexandria NSW. Contact the sales team to discuss your venue requirements, volume pricing and delivery timeframes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of chair is best for a cafe?

Bentwood chairs and metal frame chairs are the most practical choices for most cafe settings. Both are lightweight, stackable and durable under commercial use. Bentwood chairs suit a warmer, more traditional aesthetic. Metal frame chairs work in industrial and contemporary settings. The right choice depends on your venue’s look, average seating duration and budget per chair.

How much should I spend on cafe chairs?

Commercial cafe chairs range from around $60 to $300 per chair, depending on material, brand and specification. For a standard casual cafe, budget $80 to $150 per chair for quality commercial-grade seating. Higher-end restaurants and bars typically spend $150 to $300 for chairs with upholstery or premium finishes.

How many chairs does a cafe need?

Allow 0.9 to 1.1 m² of floor space per seat, including table footprint and walkway clearance. A 60 m² dining room typically supports 40 to 55 seats. Order 5 to 10 per cent additional chairs as spares to account for damage or wear over time.

Are metal or timber chairs better for a cafe?

Both are suitable for commercial use. Timber chairs — particularly bentwood — are warmer in appearance and well-suited to traditional or contemporary cafe aesthetics. Metal chairs are generally more resistant to moisture and suit industrial or contemporary designs. The better choice depends on your venue’s aesthetic and the environment in which the chairs will be used.

How do I maintain cafe chairs in a commercial setting?

Wipe surfaces daily with a clean, lightly damp cloth. For lacquered timber, avoid harsh chemicals. For powder-coated metal frames, inspect annually for chips and touch up any damaged areas to prevent rust. For upholstered seats, spot-clean with a mild upholstery cleaner and replace seat pads when the fabric shows significant wear.

Can I mix chair styles in a cafe?

Yes. Mixing chair styles is a common design approach. A practical method is to use one chair style for the main dining floor and a contrasting style at window seats, benches or bar counters. Mixed styles work best when the chairs share a colour family or material — for example, natural timber bentwood chairs alongside matching timber bar stools.

What is the difference between commercial chairs and domestic chairs?

Commercial chairs are built to withstand daily loading cycles over years of continuous use. They carry higher weight ratings, are tested to commercial standards and are made from materials that resist the wear specific to food service — repeated handling, spills, cleaning products and constant movement. Domestic chairs are not designed for this level of daily use and will wear significantly faster in a commercial venue.

Where can I buy commercial cafe chairs in Australia?

The Cafe Furniture Company stocks a large range of commercial chairs in stock and ready for delivery Australia-wide. The showroom is at Unit 17, 31 Maddox Street, Alexandria NSW. Browse the full cafe chairs range or contact the sales team for volume pricing and delivery quotes.

Ready to Choose the Right Chairs for Your Venue?

The Cafe Furniture Company supplies commercial chairs to venues across Australia with a large in-stock range and experienced sales support. Visit the showroom or browse the full range of commercial chairs online.