Korat Thai Restaurant, Upminster – Booth Seating & Velvet Dining Chairs
Creating an Authentic Thai Dining Experience at Korat Thai, Upminster
Client: Korat Thai, Upminster, Essex
Sector: Hospitality – Restaurant
Services: Design, manufacture and installation of fluted back booth seating, velvet dining chairs and distressed oak tables
At HCF Contract Furniture we specialise in made-to-order restaurant furniture that does more than just fill a space – it shapes the entire guest experience. Our collaboration with Korat Thai, a popular Thai restaurant in the heart of Upminster, Essex, is a perfect example of how the right mix of booth seating, dining chairs and tables can bring a brand’s vision to life.
Korat Thai wanted a dining room that captured the warmth and character of Thailand, while still feeling refined and contemporary for a UK audience. The furniture needed to support that vision – combining rich textures, inviting colours and practical durability for a busy service environment.
Working closely with the owners, we supplied a tailored package of fluted back booth seating, HCF DQ1 velvet blue quilted chairs and distressed oak tables, creating a cohesive restaurant interior that feels both authentic and memorable.
Project Brief: A Warm, Characterful Thai Restaurant Interior
The design goals for Korat Thai were clear:
Reflect the ambience and hospitality of a traditional Thai restaurant
Use furniture that feels luxurious yet welcoming
Maximise seating capacity without making the space feel cramped
Ensure everything is durable and easy to maintain for daily restaurant use
By combining upholstered booths, statement dining chairs and characterful timber tables, we were able to help Korat Thai achieve a look that is distinctly theirs – rich in colour, texture and atmosphere.
Fluted Back Booth Seating: Comfort, Privacy & Style
The fluted back booth seating forms the backbone of the restaurant layout. Running along key walls and alcoves, these booths:
Create intimate, semi-private dining zones for couples and small groups
Add strong vertical lines through the fluted upholstery, giving the room height and rhythm
Provide a comfortable sit that encourages guests to linger and enjoy multiple courses
Help define the space, guiding circulation while maximising usable covers
Each booth is bespoke to Korat Thai, with dimensions, seat depth and back height tailored to the room. The fluted detail adds a refined, almost boutique feel, perfectly balancing the restaurant’s decorative lighting, artwork and Thai-inspired finishes.
The result is a series of cosy, elegant dining pockets that make the most of every corner of the restaurant.
HCF DQ1 Velvet Blue Quilted Chairs: Colour, Texture & Luxury
To complement the booth seating, we supplied our HCF DQ1 velvet blue quilted chairs as the main loose seating throughout the restaurant.
These chairs were chosen to:
Introduce a striking deep blue accent colour that stands out against the timber tones and wall finishes
Bring in a soft, tactile velvet texture for added comfort and visual richness
Offer a contemporary silhouette with quilted detailing that feels premium without being overly formal
The combination of the quilted backrest and velvet upholstery gives each chair a luxurious feel, while the robust contract-grade frame ensures they are built for the demands of everyday restaurant service.
Distressed Oak Tables: Rustic Character with Everyday Practicality
Completing the scheme are our distressed oak dining tables. In a Thai restaurant with strong colours and detailed finishes, the tables play a key role in grounding the design.
These tables provide:
Natural warmth and rustic charm, thanks to the distressed oak finish
A durable, hard-wearing surface suitable for busy food service
A subtle, lived-in character that feels relaxed rather than overly polished
The oak grain and distressed detailing tie in beautifully with the rest of the interior, reinforcing the sense of authenticity. At the same time, the tables are sized and spaced to ensure:
Comfortable plate and glassware layout
Clear walkways for staff and guests
Flexibility to reconfigure for larger groups or special occasions
A Cohesive Scheme that Supports the Korat Thai Brand
What makes this project successful is not just the individual pieces, but how well they work together as a whole:
The fluted back booth seating anchors the space and adds intimacy
The velvet blue quilted chairs introduce colour and softness
The distressed oak tables provide warmth and a rustic, authentic feel
Every element has been chosen to enhance the Korat Thai brand – from the way guests first see the interior through the window, to the comfort they feel once seated, through to the overall impression they’re left with after their meal.
Result: A Beautiful, Memorable Thai Dining Environment
The finished interior at Korat Thai delivers:
A beautifully balanced mix of comfort, colour and character
An atmosphere that captures the essence of Thai hospitality
Robust, contract-grade furniture that’s built to last
A layout that supports efficient service and a high-quality guest experience
It’s a space that encourages customers to relax, share food and return again and again – exactly what a successful independent restaurant needs.
Restaurant Furniture for Thai, Asian & Independent Restaurants
This project at Korat Thai is a strong example of how bespoke restaurant furniture can transform a dining room and reinforce a brand’s identity.
At HCF Contract Furniture we supply:
- Fluted back and quilted booth seating
- Velvet and fabric dining chairs in a wide choice of styles and colours
- Solid wood and distressed oak tables for restaurants, bars and cafés
Ready to Plan Your Restaurant Booth Seating?
Whether you’re opening a new concept or refurbishing an existing restaurant, we can design and manufacture a furniture package that fits your space, menu and identity.
- sales@hcfcontract.co.uk
- 01708 331757
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