Picking fabric for your venue’s seating feels like a big decision because it is. Your choice affects how the place looks, how long everything lasts, and what you spend on upkeep. Commercial venues need fabrics that cop daily punishment and still look good. Here’s what matters when choosing fabrics for banquette seating in restaurants and bars.
Not every fabric handles the beating that hospitality venues dish out. When you’re choosing fabrics for banquette seating, check the rub count first. This number shows how well the material stands up to constant friction.
Commercial-grade stuff starts at 30,000 double rubs minimum. Busy bars need fabrics rated for 50,000 rubs or more. These numbers come from real testing that copies years of customer use.
Leather holds up brilliantly and gets better with age in commercial spots. Good leather develops character instead of looking ratty. It wipes clean fast too, which helps when spills happen all night.
Spills are constant in restaurants and bars. Your fabric pick directly changes your cleaning bills and how soon you’ll need new upholstery. Here’s what handles different situations:
Special treatments: Coatings like Crypton push liquids away and stop stains from setting. They give you time to clean before damage happens.
Vinyl and faux leather: These wipe down with a damp cloth. They’re perfect for fast-paced venues where quick cleanup matters.
Treated natural materials: Some cotton and linen blends now have stain protection built in. They look softer while still handling accidents okay.
Plain untreated fabrics might look flash in the showroom. They’ll cost you more through constant cleaning and early replacement though.
Your fabric sets the mood for your whole venue. Darker shades hide stains and wear marks better than light ones. Patterns disguise small marks that show up clearly on solid colours.
Think about these practical bits:
Trendy colours look great now but date your place quickly. Classic neutrals with texture usually last longer style-wise.
How your seating feels matters just as much as looks. Smooth tight weaves clean easier but feel less cushy. Looser weaves feel softer but trap dirt and wear faster.
Temperature matters too when picking fabrics. Leather and vinyl feel cold in winter and sticky in summer. Breathable fabrics keep people comfortable all year.
Brisbane Upholstery has spent over 40 years helping venue owners pick the right fabrics and leather for their spaces. We work with commercial-grade materials daily and know what actually holds up.
Our team walks you through samples while keeping your budget and style in mind. We’ve seen what works in Brisbane’s hospitality scene.
Need help choosing fabrics for banquette seating? Contact us for advice or request a quote on your commercial upholstery project.
