What makes a good elementary school cafeteria design?

A good elementary cafeteria combines spacious tables for socializing during meals with comfortable seating for extended use. Mobile or folding tables allow easy cleaning and storage, while separate mentoring areas provide spaces for educational activities and meetings.

How should cafeteria tables accommodate both meals and learning activities?

Cafeteria tables should have wide work surfaces that allow students to spread out books and project materials in addition to eating. Easy-to-clean surfaces accommodate both food and educational activities.

What seating works best for elementary school cafeterias?

The best seating combines attached stools and benches on larger tables for organized lunch periods with separate lightweight chairs for flexibility during various activities throughout the day.

Elementary Cafeteria | School Outfitters

Nourishing Minds and Bodies

The elementary school cafeteria combines a modern aesthetic with the controlled environment educators need to keep the area organized. When your school's cafeteria is equipped with wide tables and ample seating, students are sure to enjoy their meal periods. Tables that seat multiple students allow children to socialize with peers as they eat, and a variety of seating options ensure they stay comfortable. Mobile or folding tables allow them to be moved aside for cleaning and make storage easy.

What Makes a Great Cafeteria

For Students

A great cafeteria should include spacious tabletops that give students enough room to eat as well as spread out books or project materials, or work on devices. Seating should be comfortable enough to accommodate long periods of use.

For Teachers

The cafeteria should feature tables and seating that can be used for presentations or group work as well as meals.

For Administrators

The cafeteria should be comprised of furnishings selected with the needs of their school in mind. Delivery must be on time and installation should be quick and efficient.

Flexible Dining and Learning Zones

Group Seating Area

Mobile cafeteria tables with seating: Seat larger groups of students during lunch periods. Attached stools and benches keep the space organized, and open areas between each stool or bench makes it easy for students to enter and exit their seats. A fold-up design makes it easy to move these tables out of the way for clean ups or storage.

Mentoring Area

Activity tables: Seat small groups of students for snacks or group activities. Wide work surfaces allow students to spread out books or project components when needed, and easy-to-clean surfaces accommodate snacks and meals.
School chairs: Made from soft plastic flex as students change positions, so they're sure to stay comfortable. A lightweight design makes them easy to move around or arrange into groups.

Storage Solutions

The mentoring area offers teachers and students a comfortable place to meet for extra help sessions or to review lesson material. This area may also be used for parent-teacher meetings, after-school club meetings, study sessions and other special events.

Choosing your Cafeteria Solution

School Outfitters makes it simple to outfit your school's cafeteria. Choose the option that best fits your budget and needs and get an itemized quote with just one click, including all three of our specially-designed solutions.

Our helpful sales representatives are happy to answer any questions about our solutions and how you can put them to use in your school. Just give us a call at 1-800-260-2776.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good elementary school cafeteria design?: A good elementary cafeteria combines spacious tables for socializing during meals with comfortable seating for extended use. Mobile or folding tables allow easy cleaning and storage, while separate mentoring areas provide spaces for educational activities, meetings, and small group work throughout the day.
How should cafeteria tables accommodate both meals and learning activities?: Cafeteria tables should have wide work surfaces that allow students to spread out books and project materials in addition to eating. Easy-to-clean surfaces accommodate both food and educational activities, while mobile designs enable quick reconfiguration for different uses throughout the day.
What seating works best for elementary school cafeterias?: The best seating combines attached stools and benches on larger tables for organized lunch periods with separate lightweight chairs for flexibility. School chairs made from soft, flexible plastic provide comfort during extended activities while being easy for students to move and arrange.