Materials Used for Making Furniture

The materials used for the construction of furniture affects the durability,
appearance, and cost of the finished article. These are
 Wood
 Iron and Steel
 Aluminium
 Plastic
Wood
Historically, the most common material for making furniture is wood, but other materials
such as metal and stone were also used. In many hotels, the most valuable pieces of furniture
are antiques, dating back 100-300 years or more. Wooden furniture that dates back to a
period before the year 1840 is considered an antique.
Types of wood that are used in furniture making are:-
 Solid Wood
 Plywood
 Veneers
 Wicker and cane

Iron and Steel

Iron and its alloy steel are now being increasingly used in hotel furniture.

Aluminium
The advantage of aluminium furniture is that it is low in cost, lightweight, and does not rust.
Aluminium is not used much in making furniture for hotels, however. Where used, it is often
coated with plastic.

Plastic
Plastic, like aluminium, is cheap and lightweight. It is a low-maintence material and is now
often used for outdoor furniture. These can easily be stacked and stored.

Common Furniture items in Guestrooms

The usual furniture in guestroom include beds, luggage racks, nightstands,
coffee tables, chairs, a writing table, a wardrobe, and (in some rooms) a
dresser/drawers.
Specifications for hotel furniture
Chairs, upholstered chairs and sofas
 Seats should be long and wide enough to be comfortable.
 The minimum width of an armchair should be 48cm
 The depth of the seat should be approx. double the height of the
armchair. For instance, 33-38cm high seats should have 60-70 cm
depth.
 The depth of the seat may be equivalent to the height of the upright
chair. For instance, 42-45 cm high seats may have a depth of 42-50
cm.
 The arms on chairs should not extend more than 25mm beyond the
front edge of the chair seat.
 Chairs meant for convention rooms and conferences must be easily
stackable.
 Upholstery material should be easily detachable for ease of
cleaning.
Tables
 Tables should be made to suit the primary use----working, dining,
or occasional.
 Table tops should have an easily maintained finish, preferable heat
and stain resistant.
 The height of the writing table from the chair seat should be at least
30 cm to allow for free knee movement. The total height of the
table may be approximately 76-84 cm.
 A coffee table should be 35-50 cm high.

Wardrobe
 These should be made in accordance with the type of guests and
their length of stay.
 If free standing, furniture glides must be fixed to the legs to protect
the carpet.
 In a single wardrobe, the minimum width of the hanging space for
clothes should be 60 cm; in a double wardrobe, it should be 90 cm.
 The depth may be 56-60 cm.
 The height to accommodate full-length dresses should be 175cm.
The full height of the wardrobe should not exceed 200cm, else its
top will be difficult to reach.
 The hanging rail should not be too close to the top and should be
firmly fixed.
Luggage Rack
 The ideal ones are those made of solid wood.
 The dimensions should be about 120 cm in width and 53 cm in depth for
a 46 cm high rack.
 Nightstand (bed side table)
 These should ideally have a drawer that is 10cm in height.
 The dimensions of a nightstand should be about 56cm in width, 46cm in
depth, and 60cm in height.

FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT
 The foremost rule in furniture arrangement is that the furniture
should be bought keeping in mind the size and shape of the
guestroom in which it will be used.

It is highly recommended that the housekeeper gets a floor plan of the rooms and
plots them on a graph according to a suitable scale. The floor plan should also indicate
where doors and windows are let into the walls. Then scaled cut-outs (using the same
scale as the floor plan), called templates, of the furniture owned by the hotel (or being
considered for purchase) should be made. These should then be arranged on the floor
plan according to the requirements of the living space.

 The next step is to create a centre of interest around which to group

the furniture.

Some guestrooms have a natural focal point, such as a fireplace or a window with a
picturesque view. In guestrooms that do not have such architectural features, a focal
point of interest can be created and the furniture grouped around it. One of the most
practical solutions is to create a picture wall, where pictures or paintings can be hung
in a symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangement. Another way is to hang a single
striking painting or a decorative mirror on the wall.

 Consider convenience as well as aesthetics in furniture arrangement.

For instance, furniture meant for social spaces should be arranged in conversational
groupings so that people can talk comfortably without having to shout to be heard.

 Making allowances for traffic patterns is also crucial to furniture

arrangement.
This can be easily achieved by studying the floor plan. Determine the traffic paths that cross
it, that is, the ways in which people are apt to enter and leave the room. These paths should
not cross any conversational grouping or any area set aside for undisturbed activities or
relaxation.
 While placing furniture, arrange the larger pieces first and then
distribute the smaller ones in stages.
 Do not place any piece of furniture in such a way as to touch the wall,
else it may leave lines of dirt or stains on the wall.