You can’t use just any furniture for your café. Because the ambiance of your business contributes much to its potential for success, you need to make sure that everything, even your chairs, and tables, matches a carefully planned theme and atmosphere. In deciding how to go about furnishing your café, one of the first things that you need to consider is which material to use for your furniture.

Your choice should depend not just on what look you’re trying to achieve but also on how you plan to use your furniture in the future. Here are some of the most common materials used for chairs and tables and why you might want to consider them for your café:

Wood

Wooden tables and chairs tend to stay serviceable for years, especially with proper care. This sturdiness, as well as their versatility, make wooden furniture a popular choice in many cafes. It’s possible to find wooden chairs and tables designed for any look that you desire, whether it’s classic, rustic, simple, or modern.

Although wooden furniture is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, keep in mind that constant exposure to the elements can alter the shape, color, and even the integrity of the wood. Wood is also vulnerable to stains, and contact with sharp objects can cause scratches that are hard to remove.

Metal

Metal café tables and chairs are perfect if you want a classy, sleek, or modern look for your café. Aluminum is one of the most common materials used for furniture because it is relatively inexpensive, light but sturdy, and is easy to pair with different materials and colors.

Wrought iron is another popular choice and is especially excellent for outdoor use. This is because furniture made from this material tends to be heavy and will stay in place even during windy days. However, wrought iron might be too heavy for use indoors. Being very hard, this material can also scratch your floor.

Wicker

If you’re going for a natural or cozy look, you can go for wicker furniture. It looks great when paired with cushions, although you can always be more creative. These pieces are made from bamboo and rattan (plants that are easily renewable), making them environmentally friendly. Wicker furniture might not look like it, but it is highly sturdy and is compatible with both outdoor and indoor use.

Because they are made by hand, wicker chairs and tables tend to be more expensive than their wooden or plastic counterparts. Over time, their fibers might also loosen and poke anyone who uses them.

Plastic

Chairs and tables made from plastic are inexpensive, lightweight, and come in a wide variety of designs and colors. They also easy to clean and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

The biggest problem with plastic chairs is in how they are seen. They are versatile enough to match any look you want, but they are often seen as a cheap alternative to more expensive but better-favored wood or metal. Plastic furniture can also be hard to repair.

The furniture in your café will affect how your customers perceive your business, so taking the best material for your tables and chairs into account is essential. Keep in mind that although some options are more expensive than others, their potential contribution to your brand’s success makes them worthy investments.