Best practices for maintaining your restaurant furniture

As the owner of a café, restaurant or bistro, a number of questions may arise concerning the maintenance of your restaurant furniture : how can you ensure its durability and visual appearance? How can you maintain a high level of hygiene for the safety of your customers? Find out how to keep your tables, chairs, benches, counters and other restaurant furniture looking their best. From damage prevention to hygiene and safety management, we'll provide you with essential tips for keeping your restaurant furniture in top condition.

Choosing the right furniture for your restaurant

When furnishing your restaurant, the choice of furniture is of paramount importance. Not only does it define the style of your establishment, it must also be functional, durable and comfortable for your customers.

Tables and chairs : recommended materials

Tables and chairs are the most important elements of your restaurant, exposing them to daily use and faster wear and tear. You can opt for sturdy materials such as solid wood or metal to ensure the durability of your furniture. Solid wood tables add a warm, authentic touch, while metal tables are more synonymous with modernity. Make sure that chairs are comfortable to ensure a pleasant experience for your customers during their meal.

Counters and bars: aesthetics and functionality

Counters and bars are key elements of your catering space, whether welcoming customers at the bar or serving food and drinks. Choose durable, easy-to-clean materials such as solid wood, stainless steel or laminate. Make sure the design of the counter or bar matches the style of your restaurant.

Outdoor furniture: weather and wear resistance

If your restaurant has an outdoor area, it's essential to choose furniture specially designed to withstand outdoor conditions. Polypropylene, treated solid wood or UV-resistant teak are all suitable materials for guaranteeing the durability of your outdoor furniture. The application of a specialized varnish every year is essential to keep wooden furniture in good condition.

Regular furniture maintenance for impeccable hygiene

Maintaining hygiene in your restaurant is essential to satisfying your customers, meeting current standards and ensuring the cleanliness of your restaurant furniture.

Whether your furniture is made of solid wood, metal or any other material, it's important to regularly clean surfaces that come into contact with customers. For wooden trays, use a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and light stains. For other materials, or if your wood is varnished, you can wash the surfaces with a little Marseille soap or black soap. Be sure to dry all surfaces after cleaning to avoid moisture build-up. Mild, non-corrosive cleaning products are increasingly available on the market to help protect the environment. Natural cleaners based on white vinegar or baking soda can be effective in removing even the most stubborn stains. Be careful, however, as these natural products can be aggressive on certain materials (solid wood, for example). If you have varnished wooden table tops or benches, be sure to apply a varnish regularly after light sanding to ensure the durability of its protection and the condition of the furniture.

It is advisable to draw up a maintenance schedule for each type of furniture, taking into account the level of use. High-traffic areas such as main tables, benches and counters require daily cleaning, while other areas such as shelves can be maintained on a weekly basis. By regularly cleaning your catering furniture, you prevent the build-up of dirt and germs, helping to maintain a clean and healthy environment. 

Preventing damage and repairing furniture

To avoid premature wear and tear on your restaurant furniture, a few simple tips can make all the difference and save you money. Inspect your tables and chairs regularly to identify any problems: scratches, stains, loose fastenings. This will enable you to intervene quickly and prevent the situation from deteriorating and you from having to call in a service provider for repairs, or even having to buy new furniture. Superficial stains on leather or fabric chairs can be managed with furniture touch-up pens.  Check that fasteners are in good condition to avoid accidents. Bolts and screws can sometimes loosen over time, so remember to reinstall them correctly at the first sign of instability.

For minor damage such as impacts or paint chips, touch-up products can be used to mask superficial imperfections and keep your furniture in good condition. However, for more extensive damage or structural repairs, it's best to call in the professionals. They can take care of restoring solid wood, repairing metal structures or even completely refurbishing certain furniture elements.

Managing customer hygiene and safety

The hygiene and safety of the furnishings in your bar or restaurant guarantee the well-being of your customers and contribute to your restaurant's reputation. It's important to comply with the health standards set by the relevant authorities, in particular the health inspection services of the Direction départementale de la protection des populations (DDPP). You'll need to be familiar with HACCP training : this method raises your awareness of food safety levels, covering such topics as protocols for each task, the equipment and products to be used, the role of staff, etc.  This will enable you to manage the risks associated with your activity, and put in place the necessary measures to remedy them. You can also call on external service providers for maintenance.

Remember to check your furniture regularly for any deterioration or damage, by carrying out visual checks and stability tests, and take immediate corrective action if necessary.

As you can see, maintaining your restaurant's furniture is important not only for its durability, but also for your customers' satisfaction. By choosing the right materials, and cleaning them regularly, you guarantee a pleasant experience for all.