New Folding Cafeteria Tables Provide Multifunctional Uses for Today’s School Needs

School cafeterias are no longer used just for meal service. Today’s educational facilities are repurposing their cafeteria space to accommodate a multitude of activities – all in an effort to encourage social interaction, creativity and informal study.

For many institutions, expanding space is not a viable option; instead, they are redesigning their existing cafeterias into multi-use spaces to host study centers, after-school club meetings, group sessions and other collaborative activities outside of meal times. 

This latest “smart space” cafeteria trend incorporates a modern design and layout that includes:   

• Flexible seating arrangements with movable tables and chairs that can accommodate a range of group sizes and activities. Instead of a “once-size-must-fit-all” space, modular seating creates a more comfortable and positive environment for each type of activity.
• Café-style tables, which allow for more intimate conversations and reduce chaotic noise levels that lunchtime usually produces. Less noise means less stress and a more enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
• Collaborative spaces that feature chalkboards, game tables and other interactive activities that encourage creativity and engagement among students, but also support group work and tutoring.  

Together, a variety of types of seating, mobile tables and chairs, and adjustable furniture pieces enable schools and institutions to better serve students, teachers and the community.

AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO CREATE A VERSATILE SPACE

Picnic Furniture is excited to offer a new line of commercial folding cafeteria tables that enables schools and universities to get the most out of their existing space. Manufactured in the USA by Palmer Hamilton, the industry leader in education furniture, these cafeteria tables offer the best construction and features available commercially:

WHY WE LOVE THESE CAFETERIA TABLES

Palmer Hamilton folding cafeteria tables are clear winners in our book – from their durability to their nesting design – which is why we’re proud to add them to our Picnic Furniture catalog. While their advantages are many, here are four key reasons we think these tables are the best for school cafeterias:

1. Mobility, mobility, mobility 

Multifunctional-use spaces require quick change-ups of seating designs. With Palmer Hamilton’s swivel caster wheels, staff can move and rearrange tables smoothly and efficiently, keeping activities on schedule. These non-marking wheels also include a locking mechanism to keep them securely in place. 

2. The ultimate space-saver

When you’re tight on space, it’s important to have modular furniture that’s easy to store. These folding cafeteria tables fit the bill! Their foldable tabletops and thoughtful nesting design take up minimal space. Even the 12′ Rectangular Folding Lunch Table requires less than a 5′ x 8′ footprint for storage. 

3. All-in-one tables with seating

For even easier maneuverability, Palmer Hamilton offers folding tables with attached stools or benches. The evenly spaced, built-in seating means no more stray chairs cluttering up your space. Another great all-in-one option is their cluster table that features built-in swivel seats students will love.

4. Safe and easy to use

All of Palmer Hamilton’s folding tables come with their Lift Assist System, a folding assistance mechanism with torsion bars and compression springs that provide smooth, controlled opening and closing of the table. Considered some of the easiest lifting cafeteria tables on the market, their folding tables greatly reduce any physical strain on your staff and ensure safe set-up and breakdown.

USE FOLDING CAFETERIA TABLES TO ADD FLEXIBILITY TO YOUR SPACE

Now is the time to integrate folding cafeteria tables into your lunch room so you can make better use of the space you have and create opportunities to host additional student and faculty activities. 

We invite you to browse our new commercial folding cafeteria tables and chat with one of our Picnic Furniture associates to configure a new, on-trend table and seating design that suits your indoor space.