How to Refurbish Your Cafe on a Budget

A refurbishment can make all the difference to your cafe and doesn’t have to cost a fortune. After all, the saying goes that to make money you have to invest money, and those that do are the cafes that generally become successful and stand the test of time. But what if you don’t have a lot of cash to spare, how can you refurbish your cafe on a budget?

After several years of helping cafes and bars complete their refurbishments, we’ve put together some tips to help you get the most from your budget.

Refurbish your cafe on a budget – Top Tips

Comfortable seating

Whatever the size of your establishment, comfortable seating is key to creating a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. Budget chairs don’t have to be the most expensive, so we’ve listed a few examples for you to consider.

Make the most of your outside space

Turning any unused space into a dining area will help you accommodate more customers and increase revenue. A small grassy area or courtyard can be developed at low cost with a few colourful tables and chairs. We have several ranges that can be used for indoor and outdoor use.

Refurbish cafe on a budget – Work with what you have

Cafe furniture can be customised to suit any existing décor that cannot be changed cheaply. If you don’t need to replace everything, look to complement what you do have with new furniture that complements it. Cushions can be cheaply recovered to give a fresh new look.

Style over substance

While you may have some amazing style design ideas to revamp your cafe, be careful not to get so carried away that you forget about what you need to be profitable. Maximising your floor space in order to accommodate more customers and creating sufficient space for waiting staff to operate efficiently, is key to the success of your refurbishment

Replace stained or dirty furniture

Research has shown that if the tables and chairs are dirty or stained when they first visit a cafe, customers are unlike to return again. While they may not actually be dirty perception is everything. The first task should always be to look at cleaning any stained furniture and if it can’t be done, then replace it. Laminate tabletops are a great choice since they are resistant to stains and scratches and easy to keep clean.

Kerb appeal

Inviting entrances always draw people through your doors so it pays to invest a good part of your budget to this area. Clean windows, stylish outdoor furniture, bright signage, attractive menu boards and accessories such as hanging baskets and tubs of plants always attract customers.

Refurbish your cafe on a budget –  Commercial-grade furniture

No matter how small your budget never be tempted to buy cheap furniture that is not intended for commercial use. This will only end up costing you more in the long run.

At Cafe Chairs Melbourne we stock a wide range of cafe furniture to suit all budgets, so why not browse our online store or visit our Brisbane showroom to check out our furniture up-close.