During the lockdown, most of us looked forward to socialising with family and friends. Bars and restaurants have always been the preferred places for meeting, and although nothing will be exactly the same as before (at least for now), everyone needs to be pragmatic and adapt to these new circumstances.
New protocols are being implemented within the hospitality sector to guarantee food safety and generate client confidence; and the furniture industry and interior design community are a fundamental component of these new F&B business models.
Photo: Sancal
Venues are adapting and new layouts and fixtures must consider safety measures, e.g. increasing the distance between dining tables, using upholstered furniture (chairs, sofas, benches) that meet health criteria. All this must be done without losing the essence of design and aesthetics.
Moving forward, leaving our homes must be enjoyable rather than a necessity. In addition to being safe, these environments should also be welcoming, cosy and warm. Every detail of the dining experience from the menu and service to the ambiance, will be more appreciated by diners more than ever.
How will this be done?
Interior design and furniture must be adapted to conform with these new circumstances. The open dining room with tables placed next to each other is an image of the past. One obvious way is to increase the distance between tables, but this is not always feasible. This is where certain types of furniture come into play by giving a space the ability to change without resorting to construction.
Photo: Sancal
Private rooms
Sancal is a prestigious furniture brand from Spain known for its timeless, eclectic and contemporary designs. The brand has added a new sofa modulation called REW ROOM, which allows users to create small rooms within a space. These were initially conceived as informal meeting rooms for large offices and can be used to create private spaces with bars and cafes. There is also a bench option for use in restaurants. These models can be combined with other pieces from the extensive Sancal catalogue and matched with a wide array of fabrics and textures, which also provide for easy disinfection.
For more information on the Sancal range in Malaysia visit https://www.xtrafurniture.com/
