If you’ve ever walked past a packed hotel or restaurant at dinner time, you know how popular al fresco dining is. Eating or relaxing outdoors is a more enjoyable and often a more scenic experience. Patrons want it, and businesses know it adds to the bottom line. But unlike a good view, an inviting outdoor seating area doesn’t easily happen without good planning.
Drafting the ideal commercial outdoor furniture plan is a balancing act of seating that is functional to withstand heavy usage and the elements, attractive for the outdoor dining experience, and comfortable for outdoor seating. It’s a difficult decision. Make the wrong call, and a seating area can become an expensive black hole for your business. Make the right call, and the outdoor space will be one of the most profitable areas of your business.
What’s the Big Deal About Outdoor Furniture?
The most obvious mistake that will be made regarding outdoor furniture will be using indoor furniture outdoors. The most important thing to know that differentiates furniture made for the outdoors from furniture made for the indoors is that furniture that is made for the outdoors will have to withstand much more wear and tear. Outdoor furniture especially will face constant use from customers as well as all of the outdoor elements. Outdoor furniture will face the sun, which will cause fading and dry rot. Moisture will cause rust, and mold and mildew will be nearby. Not to mention the sand and chlorine left over from a trip to the pool.
That patio furniture that you can find at home goods stores – it’s not meant for the hospitality industry. Outdoor hospitality furniture is meant for the commercial industry. Here’s what you need to know:
Sourcing Outdoor Hospitality Furniture
- Material Durability: Since commercial outdoor furniture is exposed to the elements, the material must be durable. Education Background: Aluminium, teak, HDPE resin wicker, and powder-coated steel are great options since they are resistant to corrosion and the warping effects of moisture. Each material has its own required upkeep, so ensure the material you choose fits your climate and your staff’s availability.
- UV Resistance: Direct sunlight can cause damage to outdoor hospitality furniture. Compared to cheaper materials, UV-resistant patio furniture uses resin and coatings or fade-resistant fabrics to prevent brittleness and cracking after one sunny season.
- Weatherproof Restaurant Furniture: Hospitality furniture in wetter climates needs the features of quick drying cushions and warp-proof frames. Ensure furniture has built in drainage to prevent pooled water.
- Comfort: Hospitality brands are focusing on more inviting furniture. Modular or lounge style furniture are great options for relaxing spaces, though keeping more structured furniture in dining areas can help during service.
Different pools present different demands
Most properties containing a pool have furnishings designed to counter the unique stresses poolside furnishings endure. Poolside furnishings, for instance, face the combination of chlorine, sunscreen, wet swimsuits, and hours of exposure to the sun.
On pool decks, furnishings should employ materials that dry quickly. Sling chairs, strap loungers, and resin wicker are a few good examples of poolside furniture materials that, unlike traditional furniture cushions, retain water and can be the cause of mold. Curtain frames should utilize corrosion-resistant materials. Regular steel will rust in a poolside environment saturated in chlorine. Because of the unique demands poolside furniture experiences, a good material to use for poolside furniture curtain frames is powder-coated aluminium.
The Stress of High Guest Turnover and Restaurant Patios
Unlike hotel lounges, outdoor cafe furniture have unique challenge presented by outdoor restaurant table & chairs patios is that furniture must be highly maintainable and easily manipulable between the different service periods because of high guest turnover. In addition to high maintainability, restaurant patio furnishings must withstand humid and highly corrosive environments. To meet the stresses of a patio environment, furniture earns a trade-off between the speed of staff and stain resistant surfaces.
The trade-off between speed and staff stain resistant surfaces is greatly counter balanced by the comfort of the furniture for the guest. Comfort is of utmost importance for a positive guest experience. It also increases the likelihood of an additional purchase.
Cost Considerations: Investing for the Long Term
Choosing the lowest cost option can be tempting, but using furniture that’s not made for commercial use means needing to make replacements often, as they simply can’t handle the demands of everyday use in a business. Higher quality commercial outdoor furniture does cost more up front, but actually saves money over the long run due to the decreased need for replacements, less time spent up keeping the furniture, and the balanced guest experience through varying seasons.
While considering the different suppliers, you should ask about the length of the warranties, guarantees to not fade or rust, and whether he cushions and/or fabrics are replaceable without having to replace the frames as well, as this can add years to the life of the furniture.
Final Thoughts
The outdoor sections of a business, whether a hotel or a restaurant, have become a staple part of the overall experience for guests. Because of this, the furniture made for the outdoor sections of a business should be thought through as carefully as all the other furniture made for the indoor sections. Investing in commercial grade outdoor hospitality furniture means saving money and less time spent on upkeep and maintenance.
At Aura Seating, we create stylish and comfortable commercial outdoor furniture that can withstand the demands of real hospitality.
