Bistro Table Buying Guide

Bistro tables are more than just functional furniture–they bring elegance and character to any setting. Whether outfitting a bustling café, a cosy garden space, or a stylish dining area, choosing the right bistro table can enhance your space’s atmosphere and functionality. At BE Furniture Sales, we offer a wide range of bistro tables designed to meet the needs of restaurants, cafés, and homeowners alike, combining durability, style, and practicality.

Bistro Tables

Bistro furniture has been a popular choice for centuries, tracing its roots back to the vibrant streets of Paris. Its compact size and timeless design make bistro tables perfect for small spaces where intimacy and efficiency are key. Bistro tables are so appealing: they can easily transition indoors to outdoors, offering stylish seating solutions for dining and lounging areas.

At BE Furniture Sales, our bistro tables come in various materials and finishes, including polished aluminium, rattan, durawood, and polywood, ensuring something suits every taste and setting.

When selecting the best bistro table for your space, the material is a crucial factor to consider. Different materials offer distinct advantages, such as durability, ease of maintenance, or aesthetic appeal.

Aluminium:
Aluminium bistro tables are popular because they are lightweight and easy to move around. They are also highly resistant to rust and corrosion, making them an excellent choice for outdoor settings such as gardens, patios, or outdoor dining areas. With a sleek, modern appearance, aluminium tables offer a polished look that complements various décor styles.

Rattan:
Rattan is an excellent option if you’re looking for a more rustic or natural look. It blends effortlessly into garden settings and provides a relaxed, casual feel. While synthetic rattan is UV-resistant and designed to withstand outdoor conditions, it looks equally at home indoors, particularly in conservatories or casual dining spaces.

Polywood:
For those who prefer the warmth of wood, polywood finishes offer a durable and attractive option. These materials are known for their strength and longevity, perfect for high-traffic areas like cafés and restaurants. Plus, wood-finished tables bring a touch of sophistication to any space.

• Size and Shape

Size and shape are important considerations when selecting the right bistro table. The available space and your intended use will guide your decision.

Round Bistro Tables:
Round tables create a more intimate dining experience and work well in small spaces. A 600mm diameter round table, for example, is perfect for two diners, making it an excellent option for cafés or restaurants catering primarily to couples or small groups. 800mm or 1000mm diameter tables can comfortably seat three to four people in larger spaces.

Square and Rectangular Bistro Tables:
If you prefer a more traditional look, square and rectangular tables offer a versatile seating arrangement. A 600mm x 600mm square table provides ample space for two diners, while a 1200mm x 800mm rectangular table can accommodate up to four diners. These tables are perfect for creating a clean, organised layout in cafés or restaurants for efficiency.

Flexible Options for Different Settings:
If you run a café or restaurant with varying group sizes, it’s worth considering a mix of table shapes and sizes to offer flexibility. Larger rectangular tables can be arranged for bigger parties, while smaller round or square tables can cater to couples or solo diners. This variety ensures you can meet the diverse needs of your clientele without sacrificing style or functionality.

• Layout and Capacity

Before deciding on the individual details of your bistro table selection, planning your space’s overall layout and capacity is crucial. In many restaurants and cafés, capacity is directly tied to profitability. You want to fit enough tables to cover your costs while ensuring a comfortable dining experience for patrons and enough room for staff to move.

• How Many Covers

Diners require between one and two square metres of space, with a minimum table width of 580mm. This guideline can help you plan how many tables can comfortably fit into your dining area without cramming the space.

For example, if your space caters primarily to couples, positioning smaller 600mm round tables at 45º angles can help optimise the number of diners without sacrificing comfort. On the other hand, if you tend to host larger groups, a combination of larger square and rectangular tables may be more appropriate.

Understanding your typical clientele can help you select the right combination of table sizes. For instance, prioritising smaller tables can create a more intimate atmosphere if your restaurant caters more to couples. If you tend to attract larger parties, ensuring enough bigger tables or quickly movable tables can help accommodate group bookings.

Storing and Maintaining Your Bistro Tables

Storage and maintenance are factors to consider when buying bistro tables, primarily if they will be used in outdoor settings or areas with heavy foot traffic. One of the key benefits of our bistro tables at BE Furniture Sales is their easy-to-store design. Many of our models, particularly those made from lightweight aluminium, are foldable, making them simple to stack or store when not in use.

Additionally, all our bistro tables are designed to be low-maintenance. Aluminium and rattan tables can be wiped clean quickly, and wood-finish tables are treated to resist stains and wear, ensuring they maintain their appearance even with frequent use.

BE Furniture Sales

At BE Furniture Sales, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality bistro tables that combine style, durability, and affordability. With a wide range of materials and finishes, bulk-buy discounts available, and next-day delivery across the UK, we make it easy to find the perfect table for your space – whether you’re outfitting a single café or a nationwide chain of restaurants.

As a UK-based supplier, we understand the unique needs of British customers and offer a range of products tailored to the local market. From barrier posts and ropes to child high chairs and bar fronts, we stock diverse furniture and accessories to meet your business’s needs.

Explore our collection of aluminium bistro tables and chairs or cafe furniture and find the perfect addition to your space.

For more information on Bistro Table Buying Guide talk to BE Furniture Sales