A Complete Guide to Contract Grade Furniture: Insights from 20+ Years in the Industry
- Media ASKT
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
As a furniture manufacturer with more than two decades of experience in the European market, I’ve seen one question come up over and over again from professional buyers:
What exactly is contract grade furniture—and why does it matter?
If you're managing sourcing for hotels, restaurants, or large-scale retail projects, understanding this category is crucial. In this guide, I’ll explain what contract furniture is, why it's different from residential furniture, what standards you should look for, and how ASKT delivers durable, certified, and customizable solutions specifically for the contract market.
What Is Contract Grade Furniture?
In simple terms, contract grade furniture refers to products manufactured for commercial and high-traffic use—offices, restaurants, hotels, airports, shopping malls, and more. Unlike home furniture, contract-grade items must meet specific technical standards in terms of:
Durability
Safety compliance
Material quality
Ergonomic comfort
These pieces are built to withstand daily, continuous use by hundreds of people, not just occasional home use. At ASKT, we design our dining chairs and tables specifically for such environments.
Why Contract Furniture Matters for Business Buyers
If you're a sourcing manager or furniture product lead in Europe, buying furniture that isn’t tested or certified for contract use can lead to customer complaints, legal risks, and financial losses.
Contract furniture ensures:
Compliance with EU fire safety laws
Long-term cost savings from lower replacement rates
A consistent, professional brand image
Higher guest and employee satisfaction
Key Benefits of Contract Furniture
Benefit | Explanation |
Durability | Withstands 10+ years of high-frequency use in commercial settings |
Safety Compliance | Meets EN and BS standards such as EN12520, BS7176, and Crib 5 fire-retardancy |
Ergonomics | Designed for optimal comfort and posture over long seating periods |
Material Quality | Uses high-density foam, durable fabrics, and stable metal/wood construction |
Customization | Allows branding and layout flexibility, including custom fabrics, frames, and finishes |
Sustainability | Often incorporates eco-conscious materials and plastic-free packaging |
How ASKT Stands Out in the Contract Furniture Market
I founded ASKT with one goal in mind: create world-class dining furniture that meets European commercial standards at a competitive cost. Here’s what sets us apart:
1. Built for Commercial Use
Every ASKT chair undergoes 12 physical durability tests—from backrest impact to seat front-end static load. These tests meet or exceed EN12520 standards. Our internal QC team of 11 professionals records every inspection by video to ensure transparency.
2. Certified & Audited
We hold ISO9001 certification, and our factories have passed BSCI human rights audits, ensuring ethical working conditions. We also offer materials certified under OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, assuring safe fabrics even for children.
3. Sustainable Packaging
In response to rising plastic taxes in the EU, we implemented a zero-plastic packaging strategy, replacing bubble wrap with honeycomb paper and switching to paper-based tape. This helps our clients cut packaging-related costs by 15% annually, while also improving customs clearance.
4. Speed & Flexibility
With 4 R&D centers and a 1,200 m² testing lab + showroom, ASKT can develop custom samples in as little as 10 days. Whether you need Crib 5-compliant fabric or compact frames for tight dining layouts, we can adapt fast.
Applications: Where Contract Furniture Excels
1. Hotels
Guests expect comfort, durability, and clean aesthetics. Our chairs are designed for high turnover and meet Crib 5 fire-safety ratings to ensure your compliance with hospitality regulations in the UK and EU.
2. Restaurants & Cafes
ASKT’s swivel base chairs are perfect for restaurant layouts. They reduce floor wear and allow patrons to turn without scraping the legs—reducing maintenance costs.
3. Shopping Centers
Public rest zones in malls need robust seating. Our chairs pass seat impact and armrest durability tests to meet BS EN15372 requirements for high-traffic public seating.
Industry Standards: What Buyers Must Know
Contract furniture must comply with:
BS 7176 (Upholstery fire safety)
BS EN 12520 (Chairs for non-domestic use)
BS EN 15372 (Tables for contract use)
ISO 9001 (Factory management)
EN 1021-1/2 (Cigarette and match ignition resistance)
All ASKT products meet or exceed these standards. We can also provide test certificates and assist in customs environmental inspections.
What to Consider When Buying Contract Furniture
1. Compliance Requirements
Ask for EN and Crib 5 test reports upfront. If your supplier can’t deliver them, walk away.
2. Fabric Performance
We test for abrasion resistance, stain protection, breathability, and scratch resistance (for pets). Many of our fabrics use recycled PET bottles, aligning with EU green policy.
3. Customization Capability
From armrest height to frame finish and logo embroidery, customization matters in commercial venues.
4. Lead Time & Logistics
We know speed matters. ASKT can ship samples within 7 days and full container orders in 30-35 days, thanks to automated equipment and a well-trained production team.
Choosing the Right Contract Furniture Manufacturer
When choosing a manufacturer, ask:
Are they ISO-certified?
Do they have in-house testing and video-recorded QC?
Have they passed factory audits (e.g., BSCI)?
Do they use recyclable packaging?
Can they support fast sampling and custom development?
If the answer to any of these is “no,” your supply chain may be at risk.
Final Thoughts: Why I Believe ASKT Is Your Best Choice
Over the years, I’ve worked with buyers from Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and beyond. I understand how critical it is to deliver certified, consistent, and customizable contract furniture—on time and on budget.
We don’t just sell chairs—we build confidence in your sourcing strategy.
Want to see the difference for yourself? Contact me for a quote, video samples, or factory walkthrough.
Together, let’s create dining spaces that your clients will love.
Sunbin Qi
CEO, ASKT
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