What Is Contract Furniture? - LACOUR INC.

Have you ever come across the term “contract furniture” and wondered what that exactly means? If you are unfamiliar with it, you are absolutely not alone as this term is used in multiple ways in the industry and it is also often misperceived by the people interpreting it. The point is, contract furniture has often been shrouded in confusion.

But What Exactly Is Contract Furniture And Where It Is Used?

In its simplest terms, it is the type of furniture that is used for commercial purposes. First and foremost, it is designed and manufactured from durable materials to withstand the heavy use associated with a contract or commercial setting. It is often used in areas such as hotels, educational institutions, restaurants, hospitals, airports, and of course our favorite, the office.

What Makes Contract Furniture Unique?

Well, it’s engineering including advantages such as strength, durability, stability and weight-bearing qualities, set it apart from furniture for residential use or other similar settings; contract furniture is engineered to meet industry standards as it undergoes stringent testing and certification processes, which gives confidence in the product purchase.

Contract furniture is usually sold by a dealer or manufacturer who understands the diverse range of business needs and expectations. When it comes to furnishing the entire contract setting, businesses should consider making an agreement with a company that can supply all the needs for the office.

Common Misconceptions About Contract Furniture

It is a common fallacy that the term Contract Furniture means you are leasing or renting the products, rather than purchasing them outright. Although this is a possible financing model in some cases, that is an incorrect definition for the term outlined.

Benefits of Contract Furniture?

• It serves for a longer period of time, which means you don’t have to buy new furniture every few years
• It can accommodate people of all weights and sizes, without showing drastic signs of wear and tear
• It allows for higher frequency of use and although will eventually need replacement, lasts much longer than average furniture

What Does Contract Grade Furniture Mean?

Contract grade furniture, also called commercial grade furniture, refers to furniture that is used for commercial purposes. Examples include restaurants, hotels, airports, and even hospitals, and the type of furniture can range from sofas and chairs to beds and bar stools. Contract grade furniture is designed and manufactured by companies that specialize in these types of products, and can’t just be picked up at standard local furniture stores.

Contract grade furniture is built to go the extra mile. It can hold up for everyday personal use or busy commercial usage for a crowd. The sturdy construction is designed to last for years ahead with strong performance. This furniture can roll with the punches and come out looking fabulous. Proof that strong is beautiful.

Commercial vs. Residential Furniture

Contract grade furniture often looks pretty similar to furniture that you buy for a home. It’s stylish, made with quality materials, and optimized for comfort and use. It does differ in a few key areas though.

The first difference between contract grade and residential furniture is in the compliance requirements that it must adhere to. All furniture suppliers must adhere to strict regulatory guidelines that ensure their products are safe for consumer use. However, these guidelines differ a bit for commercial grade furniture. For example, the Crib 5 regulation, which dictates that any piece of furniture used in a school, office, or restaurant must adhere to a certain range of fire safety regulations, including fire resistant upholstery.

Another major difference between commercial and restaurant furniture is that commercial furniture is designed with heavy use in mind. A chair that is going to be sat on once a day at the dinner table has different design qualifications than a chair that is going to be sat on dozens of times throughout the day by different patrons in a busy restaurant. To meet these demands, contract grade furniture is built with increased durability so it can withstand regular and frequent usage.

Why Restaurants Need Contract Grade Furniture

Looking at the differences between commercial and residential furniture makes it clear why restaurant grade furniture is so important for dining establishments. Restaurants are inherently traffic-heavy businesses, and the furniture within it must be able to hold up to the wide variety of patrons that will be using it. Equally important is that the regulatory guidelines around contract grade furniture apply directly to restaurants, and non-commercial furniture would not satisfy these requirements. With our restaurant furniture, we make sure that restaurants can find the right furniture for their needs, from table tops and bases to chairs and benches.

If you’re looking for a den or living room sofa that is durable and decorative, look for a sofa that has wooden legs and a steel frame. These come in vibrant colors that span the color wheel, so you have lots of options. There are also retro rounded sectional sofas that provide lots of seating all in one place. Friends can chill out in total comfort. Hang some abstract wall art over the sofa or sectional. This creates a very hospitable seating area for long conversations with friends. Artwork adds some pizzazz to the room whether it’s a contemporary painting, rustic canvas print or authentic real life portrait.

Side tables fit well beside a chair or sofa. Metallic and marble side tables are stunning and sturdy. They are convenient for resting a cup of coffee or a magazine. A metallic banded vase or a couple of funky Scandinavian vases would be super accessories on these side tables. Place dried corkscrew willow or lavender in the vases to add height. Dried arrangements last forever and are no maintenance. If you prefer, put fresh flowers in the vases with water and replace as needed.

The brass and concrete console is so retro and ideal for narrow hallways or tucked behind a sofa. Use a console to display framed photographs or artwork. Group the frames together with similar colors like all silver, all black or all brass. Mix and match for a more eclectic look. Vary the sizes for depth and interest. You can even frame leaves, shells or other pieces of nature for a splash of Mother Earth.