Designing Comfortable and Durable Upholstered Goods: Tips for the Hospitality Industry
Whether in a boutique country retreat or a city-center luxury highrise hotel, hospitality
furnishings have to strike a balance between comfort and durability, style and resilience.
You want to create an appealing space that welcomes visitors yet continues to look
fantastic year after year with routine upkeep.
Comfort never goes out of style, but sagging or worn-down furnishings fail to create the
atmosphere that generates five-star reviews. That's why there is more to manufacturing
hospitality furniture than is required for lower-traffic environments. Hospitality-grade
furniture needs to be durable, long-lasting, and pest-free.
Here are the elements that go into comfortable and durable upholstered goods
The Frame
Hospitality-grade furniture is designed to meet the demands of public use. It needs a
sturdy, rigid, and hearty frame to accomplish this.
Our engineers look at mechanics, processes, and materials while your project is still in
the design phase, considering beauty, function, durability, availability, and cost.
Frequently, for dining chairs, we will suggest adding stretchers to provide added strength
Padding: Balancing of Comfort and Durability
The springs and foam padding contribute to the piece's aesthetic while providing comfort
and durability. At Mittman, we use commercial-grade, high-resiliency foam padding to
endure guests of all sizes and shapes while looking and feeling good for years to come.
The firmness of the foam in both the seat and back impacts overall comfort in any seating.
Providing durable stability that envelops the guest's body requires engineering experience
and craftsmanship.
In seating, true comfort is achieved through high-quality padding, depth, and pitch. The
relationship between seat height and depth impacts whether an average guest is
supported and can sit back in the seat. The angle of the back pitch is often the most
critical factor in comfort because it will either provide support, allowing the guest to relax
into the seat, or it will create some awkward and distracting pressure or gap, making it
impossible to enjoy the experience.
As a hospitality furniture manufacturer, we know the best hotel seating is beautiful, durable,
and so naturally comfortable that the guests can enjoy it without distraction or adjustment.
Fabric
Choosing your materials wisely makes it easier to maintain your hospitality-grade furniture in pristine condition. Fortunately, many upholstery materials are durable and attractive
Natural Fibers
Cotton is durable, breathable, soft, and easily dyed. It resists pilling and abrasion.
Linen is smooth, soft, and comfortable. Often mixed with synthetic fibers, linen can be one of the strongest
fabrics that is also eco-friendly.
Silk is more expensive but long-lasting, luxurious, and available in many colors and pattern options.
Wool is also more costly but is warm, highly durable, and soft.
Leather naturally resists water and some chemicals. It is durable, comfortable, and has a pleasant natural smell
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers can look very natural. They may be blended with natural fibers to improve durability and reduce cost.
Polyester is a durable, soft microfiber. Woven densely, it can imitate natural fibers such as suede.
Nylon is most commonly woven with natural fibers to reduce fading and piling.
Acrylic is soft and fade-resistant, even in direct sun. It can imitate wool.
Olefin is a synthetic fiber made from melted plastic, making it remarkably durable. The color is added to the
melted plastic rather than the fabric, making it color resistant.
Vinyl can be made to imitate leather, both in look and durability, at a lower cost.
Velvet can be made from natural or synthetic fibers but is more often woven from synthetic material. Velvet is elegant,
luxurious, unusually soft, and available in rich colors. However, it is difficult to maintain, and shows wear, so it is rarely
suitable for hospitality-grade furniture
Fire Resistance
With the right fuel, even a small fire can cause enormous damage, threatening the safety of guests and employees. Flame-retardant fabrics will melt rather than burn in areas where a fire might be more likely.
Stain Resistance
Stain-resistant fabrics are resistant to dirt and easier to clean. Their smoothness and weave allow the cleaning staff to remove stains quickly.
Waterproof Upholstery Fabrics
A hydrophobic coating resists spilled water, juice, wine, or coffee. Waterproof fabric tends to be long-lasting and resistant to abrasion.
The Right Look and Feel for Your Upholstered Goods
As a furniture manufacturer with over 80 years of experience, we understand the requirements of hospitality casegoods and seating. Connect with us to discuss the upholstery options that will provide long-lasting beauty and comfort for your next project.