Whenever the weather is warm and pleasant people are eager to take advantage of it and spend more time outdoors soaking up the sunshine. So, if you’re running a restaurant – that can be either bad news or great news. If you only operate as an indoor locale, this can translate into fewer visitors. But if your restaurant comes with a patio, pavement terrace, balcony, or other outdoor space – consider yourself very lucky. With a little imagination you can make your restaurant’s outdoor space more inviting for guests and more profitable for you. Here are some tips to help you out.

Choose Outdoor-Friendly Furniture

If you want to serve your customers outside, the first thing you need to do is outfit your space with great furniture. And I don’t mean with a bunch of plastic chairs from your local store. The standard outdoor furniture sold by retail stores isn’t usually made to withstand the elements and the wear and tear that comes from being used in a commercial setting. Your best bet is to pick commercial outdoor furniture that is weather-resistant and specifically designed for heavy use.

Usually this means chairs, tables and benches made of quality materials, such as teak or wrought iron, that ensure durability and functionality. It might be a bit more expensive, but when you pay for quality at least you don’t have to worry about changing your dining set every season, which can be more expensive in the long run. Plus, I’m sure you don’t want any of your chairs breaking while a customer is sitting on it and being held liable, do you?

Make It Comfortable

After you’ve made it your task to get top quality commercial outdoor furniture, you need to consider how you can make it more comfortable for your guests. Something as simple as adding umbrellas can help provide shade on hot summer days and keep customers cool and protected from the scorchinhg sunrays. You can even add a canopy or an awning as protection against rain. What’s more, you can make your outdoor space more comfortable when the weather gets cold with the help of wind breaks, well-placed heaters, blankets, or robes to keep youur guests warm.

Don’t Forget Lighting

Unless you plan to close your restaurant once the sun has set, you need to enhance your outdoor space with great lighting. A good outdoor lighting scheme will maximise the time your customers spend outside. Steer away from spotlights which can be too harsh for a restaurant ambiance, and consider more subtle but ample lighting in the form of LED strip lights, hanging lanterns, string lighting, candles on tables, and similar charming sources of illumination.