Budget-Friendly School Dining Solutions: Getting the Most Out of Your Investment

Sep 5, 2024 • 4 minutes

school kids cleaning up after their lunch

Upgrading your school’s dining hall does not have to break the bank. In fact, simply replacing your old furniture can instantly give it a fresh look, and it is more affordable than you might think.

At Westcountry Group, we are experts in providing high-quality, cost-effective educational furniture. Our Versa range of mobile folding tables offers flexible, budget-friendly solutions that maximise value without compromising on quality.

Let’s explore how you can make smart investments in your dining spaces that deliver long-term savings and benefits for your school.

Important Factors to Consider Before Buying

When choosing new dining furniture for your school, it is important to consider a few factors to ensure you make the right choice for your students and space. Keeping these in mind will help you create a functional, comfortable dining area while getting the most value for your investment:

Age Range: Make sure the furniture is appropriately sized for your students by choosing a provider that offers tables and benches in different heights to accommodate various age groups – this ensures comfort and practicality for all students.
Capacity: Consider how many students will need seating at once. Picking furniture that accommodates everyone comfortably is key for a smooth mealtime without overcrowding or long waiting times.
Space and Layout: Think about the overall layout of your dining hall, including entrances, exits and the traffic flow during busy times like lunch. The furniture you choose should allow for easy movement in these areas.
Storage Needs: Will the furniture remain in place throughout the day, or does it need to be stored between uses? For multipurpose spaces, foldable or stackable furniture is ideal, allowing for quick storage while keeping the space flexible for other activities.

How to Make Cost-Effective School Dining Investments

Invest in Durable and Flexible Furniture

During lunchtime, your school’s dining area sees a lot of action. With large numbers of students passing through in a short time, it is essential to have sturdy, long-lasting furniture that can withstand regular cleaning, stacking, moving and more. If your space also doubles as a multi-use area for assemblies or PE lessons, flexibility is equally important.

At Westcountry Group, we use only the highest quality materials in the construction of our dining furniture. The Wall Pocket, in particular, offers both strength and adaptability in one smart investment. Its foldable tables and benches can be neatly stored on or inside the wall, freeing up valuable space and extending the life of your furniture by keeping it protected when not in use.
Choose Customisable Options for Long-Term Value

Your school’s dining area plays a key role in shaping the student experience, and a design that reflects your school’s identity can have a lasting impact. Opting for customisable furniture is a cost-effective way to add a unique touch to your space and encourage a sense of pride and belonging. All of our furniture, including the foldable Benchmark table, is fully customisable to suit your school’s aesthetic. With over 160 colour options and the ability to add your school logo or student artwork, you can refresh and personalise your space without the need for extensive renovations.
Opt for Multipurpose Furniture to Save Space and Money

In schools with limited space and tight budgets, multipurpose furniture can help you maximise your resources by allowing the same pieces to serve multiple roles throughout the day. Once lunch is over, Westcountry Group’s Hallmark tables—available in various shapes and with integrated stools—are perfect for small group sessions and school events. Similarly, ConverTables are designed to transform seamlessly between dining tables, study spaces and even auditorium seating.
Maximise Long-Term Savings with A Maintenance Plan

Regular maintenance is key to extending the lifespan of your school’s dining furniture, ensuring it stays in top condition for years to come. Having a maintenance plan in place helps prevent unexpected repair costs, making it a cost-effective way to protect your furniture.

With Westcountry Group’s Versa range, you can benefit from a free lifetime warranty when you agree to a service and maintenance contract at the time of purchase. This covers routine checks and repairs, ensuring your furniture stays safe, functional and cost-efficient over time.

Transform Your School’s Dining Space with Westcountry Group

At Westcountry Group, we pride ourselves on helping schools create dining spaces that are both functional and inspiring. Whether you would like to upgrade your current dining furniture or are looking for something new, we have delivered a number of multipurpose and dining hall projects that meet the needs of education environments. Here is what our customers had to say about our work.