Several different styles exist for you to choose from when using cafeteria tables. Some businesses need to use tables to create a very informal and relaxed manner. Other companies use cafeteria tables very elegantly. The purpose of your café tables greatly affects how you use it.

Use your cafeteria tables for everyday informal eating such as in a lunchroom cafeteria. You also can use your tables for formal events such as weddings, banquets, and business dinners. Create a flexible workspace, using cafeteria tables as work tables for drawings, material cutting, and more. Before determining how best to use your cafeteria tables, consider the following:

1. Does the visual effect of your café tables matter?

2. How often will you use your cafeteria tables?

3. How important is convenience when using cafeteria tables?

Action Steps
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Consider accessories to store your portable cafeteria tables

Many companies only use their cafeteria tables during special luncheons and company functions. They store their tables and chairs until needed. For this use, most businesses purchase folding cafeteria tables. While these products use less space during storage, they also can be awkward to store. Because the cafe tables and chairs cannot stand alone when folded, they often slide and fall. However, if you use cafeteria tables that come with a rolling cart, you can store tables securely and easily roll them out as needed.

I recommend: Best Folding Tables and Chairs offers storage carts and tables. Competitive Edge Products has storage carts for round and square tables.

Set up cafeteria tables with flair and style

Just because you are using a folding cafeteria table does not mean that you must sacrifice style. Many caterers and sophisticated banquet halls use cafeteria tables for elegant meetings and gatherings. Use white top tables to add a nice visual effect to your cafeteria tables. In most cases, round cafeteria tables, square tables, or odd-shaped tables also look more appealing than the typical rectangular tables and create a better atmosphere for conversation. Add to the effect by draping a tablecloth over your tables.

I recommend: Joe Sports sells round folding cafeteria tables. CSN Office Furniture offers square cafeteria tables.

Use school cafeteria tables that make cleanup easier

After lunch period, cleaning the floor can be a big job. Sweeping and mopping in and around permanent cafeteria tables and stand-alone chairs is a time-consuming job. Choose convenience when buying cafeteria tables and lessen cleanup time for your janitorial staff. Purchase mobile cafeteria tables with stools attached. Fold these tables up and roll them around for easy cleaning, with no chairs to move.

I recommend: Global Industrial sells mobile cafeteria tables. Integrity Furniture offers mobile cafeteria tables with stools and benches.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most cafeteria tables are a standard height. However, if you use tables for small children, purchase shorter tables. When using your cafeteria tables for meetings or functions that families attend, consider using both adult size and child-size tables.

While the widest market for folding cafeteria tables is found in schools, cafeteria tables aren't just useful for school lunchrooms. You also can employ folding cafeteria tables in the break room or conference room, and you can even find convertible tables that switch from tables to benches.

For schools, cafeteria tables have broadened their appeal to include pre-school sized benches and many different shapes for classrooms as well as lunch rooms.

Before you buy a cafeteria table, consider the following decisions you'll need to make:

1. Decide if you want your tables to fold and roll away, and what type of seats you want them to have.
2. Determine if you want your cafeteria tables to be round or octagonal rather than rectangular.
3. Consider alternatives such as picnic style benches and booths.

Action Steps
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Consider the seating options with folding cafeteria tables

Folding cafeteria tables are the most common type of cafeteria table, and typically come with two large rectangular segments that fold up and roll to storage or out of the way.

I recommend: Most folding cafeteria tables come with attached seating, so you're getting cafeteria chairs and tables all in one. The type of seating on a folding cafeteria table often varies, however, so you can choose long benches, stools, or even swiveling stools with seat backs.

These aren't your parents' school cafeteria tables

Cafeteria tables, even folding tables, no longer just come in the typical long, rectangular shape. You can buy octagonal or round cafeteria tables with seating or without. Buying tables without seating is useful if you want to use the tables not just for the lunchroom, but also for arts and crafts or other activities that might require standing or moving around.

I recommend: Round cafeteria tables also come in several varieties. You can get them with seating attached, or without seating from Hertz Furniture. If you do choose a table without attached seating, shop for some stackable chairs to go with it.

Be open to creative alternatives for school lunchroom tables and chairs

School cafeteria tables don't have to be boring rows of rectangular tables or even round tables. Today, you can find alternatives such as restaurant-style booths to keep the lunchroom interesting and fun.

I recommend: Hertz Furniture offers booths with backed benches attached to use as a cafeteria table, or replace typical cafeteria tables with a child-sized picnic table with benches attached if you need an outdoor cafeteria table or just want to spice up your school cafeteria tables.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for multi-use cafeteria tables if you're short on space. If your lunchroom doubles as a conference room, look for tables and chairs that can serve multiple purposes, including tables that fold horizontally to serve as backs for bench seating.

A variety of businesses find themselves in need of checking the pricing and costs of cafeteria tables. Usually, when one thinks of cafeteria tables, one typically thinks of school lunchroom tables and chairs. However, many companies benefit from the purchase and use of cafe tables and chairs. Besides schools, lunchroom tables are in restaurants, hospitals, hotels, conference rooms, and break rooms.

Several different options are available when purchasing cafeteria tables; the tables vary in shape, size, material, and usage. Cafeteria table suppliers offer choices from round cafeteria tables to folding cafeteria tables. There are dining tables, meeting tables, and break room tables. The wide selection of cafeteria tables contributes to a wide price span. There are cafeteria tables to meet the budget of most any company. When considering your cafeteria table budget, think about the following:

1. What is the purpose of your cafeteria table?

2. Is your cafeteria table price or quality more important?

3. How many cafeteria tables will you need to purchase?

Action Steps
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Look for special offers with the pricing and cost of cafeteria tables

Many table suppliers will offer special discounts on large orders. Some will allow free shipping for order over a specific dollar amount. Café tables are large. Shipping could be costly. Also look for distributors that offer free chairs with the purchase of tables.

I recommend: Hertz Furniture offers special discounts, financing, and free shipping on certain orders. Free shipping applies to orders over $100 at Office 1000.

Compare price and quality on your cafeteria tables

While some tables are cheaper, they may lack quality. Tables used frequently or roughly, such as those used by children, should be of durable quality. The tables cost more, but last longer, with better cost benefits in the long run. Many suppliers offer heavy duty cafeteria tables for frequent use.

I recommend: Office World sells a variety of Iceberg Indestruc tables. These tables are durable and resist dents and scratches. Alfax offers a 15-year guarantee with its products.

Consider used cafeteria tables

Companies that go out of business may sell their café tables at a cheap rate. Schools that consolidate or purchase new equipment also often sell their cafeteria tables. Internet auctions also provide bargains on these items. Consider used tables to save money if you're on a tight budget or just beginning your business.

I recommend: Public Surplus often takes bids on used school cafeteria tables. Dove Bid also has auctions on used cafeteria tables.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When checking the pricing and costs of cafeteria tables, consider your space and table layout. Calculating the fewest number of tables needed for the most people seated may save you money. Also consider the sizes and shapes of tables that your space can accommodate. Draw a blueprint for optimum use of space before purchasing tables.

Cafeteria tables key terms provide a description for various types of cafeteria tables. While most people might think of bench seat tables, others have seen the variety available from vendors. While most vendors carry similar products, you may need to find a specialist if you need child-size cafeteria tables. This style typically has the table lower to the ground than the regular cafeteria styles. Other types of cafeteria tables include round, convertible and fliptop tables.

Action Steps
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Bench seat tables

Most school cafeterias use bench seat tables. These tables utilize four benches, two per side, as seating. Some manufacturers will sell this type of cafeteria table in child sizes.

I recommend: View examples of cafeteria bench seat tables at Integrity Furniture, which offers a variety of colors for its tables.

Cafeteria stool table

Cafeteria stool tables are similar to bench seat tables. The main difference is stool tables have individual round stools for seats in place of a bench. The stools can make it easier to get in and out of the seat.

I recommend: Hertz Furniture Systems provides a picture and specifications for a cafeteria stool table.

Convertible bench tables

Convertible bench tables double as a regular bench and as a cafeteria table. The back of the bench folds down to become the table top. This type of cafeteria table offers only one side of seats for the table, but it allows for wheelchair access on the other side.

I recommend: Palmer Hamilton offers pictures and specifications for convertible bench tables.

Round cafeteria tables

Round cafeteria tables have a round surface and come with a variety of seating options. Some styles require you to set up chairs, while others use bench-style seating.

I recommend: School Outfitters carries several styles of round cafeteria tables, including round bench cafeteria tables.

Fliptop cafeteria table

A fliptop cafeteria table allows you to flip the top into a vertical position, reducing the space needed for storage. The base of the plate connecting the table to the stand has a locking mechanism for safety.

I recommend: View pictures and review specifications for fliptop cafeteria tables at Global Equipment Company.

Locking casters

Most cafeteria tables offer some form of mobility, and the majority of styles utilizes locking casters to provide it.

I recommend: Visit Caster City to see examples of locking casters. The website offers up-close photos of a caster in a locked and unlocked position.