Industry resources & standards

Design & furnishing bodies

• Commercial Interiors UK (formerly the BCFA)The UK trade association for the commercial interiors sector — contract furniture, fabric and lighting suppliers. Its member directory is a useful first filter when choosing suppliers.
• RIBA — Royal Institute of British ArchitectsProfessional body for architects; use Find an Architect for hospitality specialists.
• Society of Light and Lighting (CIBSE)Publishes the SLL Code for Lighting and Lighting Guide 18 for licensed premises.
• FIRA — Furniture Industry Research AssociationTesting and technical guidance on furniture standards.

Accessibility & building regulations

• Approved Document M — access to and use of buildingsStatutory guidance for England, including lowered counters, route widths and turning spaces.
• BS 8300-2:2018 — accessible and inclusive built environmentCode of practice with detailed counter, table and knee-clearance dimensions.

Furniture safety standards

• BS 7176 — fire performance of upholstered furniture for non-domestic use (SATRA explainer)Hotels fall in the medium-hazard category, which includes the Crib 5 ignition test.
• BS EN 16139 — strength, durability and safety of non-domestic seating (FIRA summary)The structural test standard for contract chairs and stools; a new edition was published in 2025.
• BS EN 16139 on the BSI shopBuy the current edition.

Contract fabrics and leathers

• BS 7176 — resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture (BSI)The hazard categories; hotels are medium hazard (Crib 5).
• Forest Contract — fabrics and finishesThe contract ranges Forest Contract upholster in, and their note on Crib 5 treatment lead times.
• BS EN ISO 12947-2 — Martindale abrasion (BSI)The abrasion test behind rub counts.
• Bespoke upholstery to domestic or contract specificationUK makers such as The English Sofa Company, The Chesterfield Company and The English Bed Company offer both domestic and commercial-grade fabrics and leathers by bespoke specification — useful for one-off pieces outside a contract catalogue.

Lighting

• SLL Lighting Guide 18: Lighting for licensed premisesBars, pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and hotels — mood lighting and statutory escape lighting.
• SLL Code for Lighting 2022The general UK lighting design reference.
• BS 5266-1:2025 — emergency lighting code of practiceEscape-route lux levels, durations and testing for licensed premises.
• Fire safety in the workplace — your responsibilities (gov.uk)The responsible person's duties under the Fire Safety Order, including emergency routes and lighting.

Food safety & operations

• Food Standards Agency — Food Hygiene Rating SchemeHow ratings work for any bar or restaurant serving food.
• FSA — how food hygiene ratings work (business guidance)What inspectors look at, including surfaces and layout.
• HSE — catering and hospitalityHealth and safety guidance for hospitality workplaces.

Beds and bedroom furniture

• National Bed Federation — UK bed and mattress sizesThe industry size chart from single to super king, with the accepted tolerances.
• BS 7177 — resistance to ignition of mattresses, divans and bed basesHotels are medium hazard; domestic mattresses do not comply.
• BS EN 16121 — non-domestic storage furnitureStrength, durability and stability for wardrobes and fitted storage.
• FIRA — formaldehyde restrictions from August 2026Board emission classes for furniture.

Featured supplier and joinery partner

• Forest Contract — contract furniture manufacturer, SalfordBespoke banquette and fixed seating, chairs, stools, tables, beds and headboards for hotels, bars and restaurants. Commercial Interiors UK member.
• Forest Contract case studiesHotel, bar and restaurant projects.
• Hafferty Interiors — bespoke fitted furniture and commercial joinery, ManchesterFitted bedrooms, wardrobes, reception and panelling, designed, made and installed by their own team.