Seating looks like the simple part of a café fit-out. It isn't. Get it wrong and you lose covers, comfort and repeat visits — quietly, every day. Here are five mistakes we see most often.
1. Chairs packed too tight
It looks full, but it feels cramped — and cramped kills repeat visits. Plan roughly 60–70 cm between chairs. Comfort is what brings people back.
2. Only one type of seat
A single seating style loses two audiences at once: solo laptop workers and larger groups. Mix solo perches, two-tops, a communal table and a lounge corner.
3. Ignoring footfall flow
A clogged path from door to counter to seating means fewer covers per hour. Design one clear route through the space and protect it — flow is revenue.
4. Choosing pretty over durable
Beautiful seating that needs re-upholstering in six months isn't a "look," it's lost profit. Spec commercial-grade upholstery and finishes from day one.
5. No photo-worthy corner
In 2026, an un-Instagrammable café is an invisible one. Build one signature, well-lit "hero" spot people actually want to photograph — it's free marketing.
The takeaway
Great seating is designed around covers-per-hour and brand recall, not just looks. If you're planning a café, restaurant or QSR, let's get the layout right the first time.