Hospitality Furniture Trends in 2022

What Is Hospitality Furniture?

Hospitality furniture, also known as commercial furniture, forms the backbone of hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, etc. Unlike residential furniture, furniture for commercial use is resilient and designed for several years of continuous use. In short, hospitality furniture has to be stable, durable, and easy to maintain. A commercial furniture manufacturer ensures top-notch quality, performance, and service by following strict standards and compliances.

Furniture Trends Dominating Hospitality

As the Covid-19 situation improves and vaccination gains momentum across the US, restaurant and pub owners are heaving a new ray of hope and a sigh of relief. However, a post-Covid-19 era will witness a significant shift in the preferences of restaurant customers. Read on to understand the hospitality furniture trends of 2022 as the restaurant business gets back to normal:

1. Whimsical Wood

The old-world charm and organic look of wood continue to be a favorite for restaurants and bars. While traditional wooden furniture used to be polished, ornamental, and bulky, most modern hospitality furniture use highlights simple wood furniture options for a rustic appearance and minimalistic look. The organic, evergreen design of wood furniture instills freshness and makes dining spaces look airy and spacious. Whether you go for calming hues or vibrant colors, industrial or natural look, you have countless design options with wood furniture.

2. Mixed Materials

Although creating stunning contrast by mixing materials and colors has been used for several years, technological advancements have revolutionized this trend to a whole new level. After all, now you have a plethora of finishes, patterns, and material options to experiment with. For example, you can mix stones like marble or granite with metal accents for a sophisticated interior. However, if you prefer an organic theme or material, you can consider a blend of wood furniture.

3. Furniture Material Standards

As attention shifts to minimizing carbon emissions, manufacturers have to adopt new techniques and material standards while producing hospitality furniture. For example, the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) came up with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 2019 to lay down formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products. According to this act, all hospitality furniture manufacturers must label their finished composite wood products like particleboard, medium-density fiberboard, and hardwood plywood as TSCA Title VI compliant from March 2019 onwards. Similarly, every region or country has its own set of rules to which restaurant owners must comply.

4. More Vibrant Colors

With Gen-Z and millennials making up a large portion of hospitality customers in restaurants and pubs, furniture designers have become experimental and bold. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to come across adventurous styles and vibrant colors for a trendy, unique appearance in modern hospitality furniture. Overuse of primary hues with contrasting tones lends a power-packed ambiance to a dining room or bar. From the waiting area in your lobby to the upscale bar, from the dramatic dining hall to the reception, bright themes create an uplifting environment everywhere. Apart from the obvious aesthetic improvement, vibrant colors can guide your weary guests to locate the main areas of your restaurant.

5. A Touch of Drama

Another way to pique the interest of your guests is by adding some drama to your restaurant’s or pub’s interior design. An intimate lounge with dark tones and bright light can jazz up any ambiance. The retro look with intriguing colors of vermillion reds, fluorescent green, neon, varnished browns, etc., is making a comeback in hospitality furniture design. Also, you can experiment with lighting, curtains, or shadows in your bar or booths for a relaxed yet tempting experience.

6. Eco-Friendly Designs

As our youth get more environmentally responsible, eco-friendly designs are gaining momentum in modern hospitality furniture. By adopting safer, eco-friendly, and greener alternatives, you not only save energy costs in the long run but also attract a passionate, socially aware customer base. Apart from the obvious solar panels, here are some other ways to go green in your restaurant:

Adopting LED lights
Using recyclable furniture materials like wood, rattan, butcher block, etc.
Recycling fabrics, linens, etc.

7. More Personalized Designs & Experiences

Gone are the days when restaurant furniture was regarded only as a means to support primitive service needs of sitting or eating. Nowadays, hospitality furniture has become a driving force for customer experience and satisfaction. After all, since the younger generation forms a considerable customer base, it pays to offer personalized experiences, menu, or beverage options. Rather than opulence or luxury, most millennials are focusing on experiences now. The recent success of Airbnb highlights how crucial personal designs or touches can be over time. A restaurant willing to go the extra mile in pleasing its customers will definitely march ahead of its competitors.

8. Sustainability

In addition to adopting eco-friendly practices, restaurants should invest in sustainable furniture as well. As climate activism gains traction, going for sustainable hospitality furniture is a move in the right direction.

While timber is the most sustainable material you can find, metals like steel and aluminum are recyclable. Similarly, when it comes to upholstery material, you can opt for biodegradable materials like wool, leather, jute, etc.

9. Outdoor Seating

Outdoor seating is a win-win situation for restaurant owners as well as restaurant-goers. In the post-Covid-19 era, most customers will prefer to dine out in well-ventilated spaces amidst nature. Outdoor seating offers a perfect getaway to spend quality time with family, friends, or workmates for the social, emotional, or mental well-being of your customers. You can implement outdoor seating in your restaurant in areas like backyards, sidewalks, rooftops, porches, etc. Here are a few additions to consider that will take your outdoor seating to a whole new level:

Installing bicycle racks
Organizing live music
Making your outdoor area pet-friendly
Providing outdoor kitchen and bar

10. Bar Seating

Whether hosting office parties or friends’ get-togethers, the bar can be a lucrative addition to your restaurant. With more young customers preferring to sit in the bar rather than at regular tables, investing in decorating bar seating pays off quickly. Bar seating is an affordable seating that gives your restaurant an edge over your competitors. Apart from helping you gain extra bucks, bar seating also makes for a flexible seating option to host different events. With compact bar seating furniture, you can get a higher seating capacity amidst a cozy ambiance to target young customers, especially solo diners.

SUMMING IT UP:

Although hospitality furniture designs have continued to evolve in the past, the past couple of years has forced a remarkable change in the way restaurants operate. As you might have guessed by now, restaurant furniture in the future will be swanky yet comfortable, eco-friendly yet hi-tech, and dramatic yet sustainable.

This article foresees different aspects of hospitality furniture as we step into 2022. Hopefully, by taking cues from these design tips, you will be able to stand out from your competitors in creating a healthy, comfy, happy, safe, and all-around dining experience for your guests.