A guide to contract bedroom furniture
If you're not sure what we mean by contract furniture then don't worry, you're not alone. However, understanding the difference between contract and domestic furniture is essential for making sure you fit out your commercial business, whether that's a hotel or guest house, with beds, chairs and tables that meet the relevant industry standards.
So, what is contract furniture?
Put simply, contract furniture is any furniture that is intended for commercial use. Manufactured with added strengthening properties for public-facing environments such as guest houses, hotels, restaurants and bars, it is usually subject to more stringent industry certification and testing.
The benefits of contract bedroom furniture
Cost savings
Generally, contract furniture is much more cost-effective for businesses in the long run. Made using stronger materials, this type of furniture has a much better lifespan than beds and chairs created for domestic use, so you won’t need to purchase new pieces every few months after lots of wear and tear.
Reputation
For a hotel or similar commercial enterprise, broken or worn furniture not only impacts your budget, but it can affect your reputation as well. Guests who find furniture uncomfortable or uninviting are more likely to leave a poor review, which could have a knock-on effect on your future bookings. What’s more, damaged furniture leaves a bedroom or seating area out of action until it’s fixed or replaced, costing you time as well as money.
Understanding the regulations
As mentioned above, contract furniture has to meet certain quality requirements and standards, including the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. There are three main British Standards that apply to hospitality furniture, which are:
• BS 7177 – Bed bases and divans
• BS 7176 – Upholstered furniture for the non-domestic market
• BS 5867 – Curtains, window blinds and drapes
BS 7176, in particular, ensures upholstered furniture has a reasonable level of fire retardancy. All fabrics must undergo testing as specified by BS EN 1021- 2, which takes the form of ignition from different sources. The eight sources, which include a smouldering cigarette and a match, represent the environments the fabric may encounter.
Once test source 5 is passed (smouldering and flaming), the fabric has achieved a fire retardancy of Crib 5, which is the industry standard for hospitality environments.
Purchase quality contract furniture today
If you're looking for contract bedroom furniture for your hotel or guest house, you've come to the right place. At Reinforced Beds, we stock a wide range of chairs, tables, desks, beds and more which meet the industry standards outlined above.