How to Select the Perfect Table Tops and Table Bases for Style and Durability

Table tops and table bases are no less than deciding on a menu and or getting the new Wüsthof.

Table bases and table tops keep the whole plan of running a restaurant, engaging customers, and serving great meals stable, literally. Tables are crucial whether you are a high-end restaurant, a cozy bistro, or a fast-food diner on the roadside!

Tables are made up of two elements. Table tops which we see all the time on the Instagram feed, then there is the real action, the table base.

This is an ode to the old friend who gave us stability when we needed it the most.

Factors Deciding the Selection of Table Tops

Here are some of the factors that you need to look at before you decide on a table top.

Material ǀ The Life and Soul of Table Tops

For us, the material is most important of all when you select a table top. You may pick the trendiest, most amazing, and most beautiful-looking tabletop, but what about the beauty that’s skin deep?

Yes, exactly, the façade is important, but cleaning and maintaining it day after day takes a toll on management.

“Tardiness often robs us of opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.” 

• Niccolo Machia Velli  

You don’t want to make a rushed decision and get the tabletop with the most beautiful wood carving until you have heard us out.

Metal or Aluminum Table Top

Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, low-maintenance, and industrial designs, we love aluminum and metal for all the ease it brings and reduces the work.

They are perfect for very busy restaurants and diners. They are ideally the preferred choice for an outdoor seating area. They do not require a coat of polish every two months like wood requires. Wipe it with a clean and damp cloth, and you are good to go.

After a year or so, take some paint baskets, give it a new coat, and you are good to go for another year, and year after, and more…  

Wood, Resin, Or Stone Effect

No, we would never recommend teak wood table base or resin tables unless that is important for the theme of the restaurant. However, at Vogue Decor, we do one better. We have table tops with an HPL laminated finish that mimic the look and style of stones.

Why do you replace something as grand as stone, you may ask?

Well, you want something that is easy to move, clean, and maintain. Stones are not the friendliest kind (pun intended). A table top that looks like a stone or granite but is easy to maintain is our winner.

Important Side Note

Why do we emphasize the maintenance of table tops so much?

As an expert in the field, and after working with eateries and restaurants in Montreal, Canada, we have cracked the code for perfect table tops.

For a restaurant, a table top which is easy to clean between service hours is gold. Every day, servers come in and lay the piping hot food dishes on table tops. Scratches, heat, stains, and regular occurrences for the tabletop.

A perfect table top is unsusceptible to these routine nuances. Explore the massive catalog of Vogue Decor and choose a tabletop that is most practical, aesthetically 100%, and durable for a restaurant.

Factors Deciding the Selection of Table Bases

Here are some of the factors that you need to look at before you decide on a table base.

Material Wins or Stability?

These are the two cornerstones of what make or break the dining experience. The stability of the table is no joke!

Can you imagine pasta or drinks spilling on your patrons?

Exactly. It’s a very high-stake situation, and we are here for you to make the best decision.

Cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminum are great in terms of durability. Aluminum may not be as sturdy as the other two, but then, these are perfect for outdoor seating arrangements.

Also, restaurants in Montreal, Canada, have some cold months where outdoor seatings are closed and tables are moved aside.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.” 

• Anne Bradstreet 

In that case, aluminum is your best bet to move, store away, and take out after a few months, and use them like they were never gone.

Wood is also a choice of table base, but it requires a lot of commitment and dedication. Those who dare and have the courage to maintain them because of the restaurant theme and design aesthetics only dare to have wooden table bases.

Style of Table Bases and How it Impacts

There are different table bases, and each one serves a different purpose.

Firstly, we will discuss the pedestal base. You may have seen them a lot, and rightly so. These complement the round and square tables that serve two to three people. They work well and balance the weight of small tables.

Then comes the trestle base. They are perfect for rectangular tables and offer more legroom, which was missing in the pedestal base.

Last, we have the X-shaped base, which, like the pedestal base, we see a lot. They balance small tables well; hence, we keep seeing them in all cafes, coffee shops, patisseries, and bistros.

Let’s Bring 2 Together: Choosing the Perfect Table Base for Table Top    

This is another science to understand. With some magic of math, physics, and logic, we are almost there. If that’s not your cup of tea, leave the work to experts and trust the process.     

• Step 1: How you perceive all the elements will look as per design and theme – only you know better. Helping the experts who will be part of the process to help you decide the right table base and table top understanding would be an added advantage. Only then can you pick the right design. For instance, a clean and minimalistic look of aluminum or metal paired with similar materials for the table base makes your space look less crowded. On the other hand, for a rustic and regal look, pick the wooden table tops with trestle table bases to balance the weight for stability.
• Step 2: Think about your space and how you will use it between busy and idle hours. Patrons love a space that gives the comfortable feel of space. Easy-to-move restaurant tables work ideally if you are experiencing low-traffic hours.
• Step 3: The weight of the tabletop should be balanced with the table base. For instance, if you are using a wood-carved teak table base or a granite stone table base, it is recommended to use a sturdy table base like cast iron or stainless steel.
• Step 4: Perfect harmony of design, color, and materials make your space look put together and balanced.   

Final Words

Not everyone likes the balance of color and materials. Some restaurant owners, like interior designers at Vogue Decor, love to experiment.  

Mix and match of color and material give the table a unique characteristic. If unsure, explore the catalog of Vogue Decor and experiment with how your space will look with new designs and ideas.