How many times have people called in to make reservations and requested a booth? As the lines between fine dining and lounging begin to blur, more and more restaurants decide to add banquette seating to their existing layout. Banquettes are a popular seating option for the reason that they offer guests more comfort while bringing them closer together with family and friends. So, if you haven’t already installed booths, here’s a quick guide on how to select the ones that suit your restaurant’s style and meet your guests need and arrange them in a way to make the most of your space.
Select the Perfect Design
Given the wide choice of banquette seating, you’re sure to find the perfect colour and style for your restaurant. In order to make a perfect choice, you need to consider the overall atmosphere in your restaurant. For instance, if your restaurant is designed in a vintage manner, you can choose banquettes with delicate wooden engraving. For a timeless look, you can consider fan back or channel back booths that are adorned with engravings and other finer details. On the other hand, if you’re running a modern restaurant with a colourful interior, a minimalist design in a funky colour may give off the playful vibe you’re looking for.
Consider Fabrics
When it comes to choosing fabrics for your booths, there are two factors to consider – ease of maintenance and the types of people most likely to visit your place. For instance, if you’re running a family-friendly restaurant or a fast- food joint, stain resistant materials such as leather and vinyl will be much easier to keep clean. On the other hand, if you’re responsible for a fine-dining establishment, upholstered or velvet booths can help you create a more luxurious atmosphere. The only downside to these materials is that they may need more frequent cleaning.
Creating the Ideal Layout
Space is always a premium in a restaurant venue. Unfortunately, banquettes are a type of fixed seating which doesn’t allow you the freedom to rearrange according to your needs. For that reason, it’s important to create the right layout of booths. If you want to fit as many people as you want in your booths, the best way to do so is to install them along the length of the walls. But if want your space to have a retro-diner feel, consider creating rows consisting of clusters of booths facing one another with a table in between. If two booths face each other, there should be at least 170cm clearance from one end to the other. And remember, the wider the table the more space between the booths is needed so that the quests can sit comfortably.
