When the weather is warm, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a meal outdoors. This is why alfresco dining has become so popular in recent years. If you’re a cafe or restaurant owner, then it’s important to provide outdoor seating for your customers. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of outdoor cafe furniture and provide tips for creating an inviting outdoor space. We’ll also highlight some of the café and restaurant chairs, seating and design tips to help you create a beautiful outdoor dining area.
If your café doesn’t yet have outdoor chairs and seating, you’re missing out on a big opportunity to bring in more customers and create a unique experience for them. So, if you want more people coming in, then just add some seats outside!
If you are planning to extend your premises or are looking to update your outdoor dining area, read on for inspiration!
What is alfresco dining?
Alfresco dining is a term used to describe the act of eating outdoors. It’s perfect for warm weather climates and is the ideal way to enjoy a meal or drink in the open air. It can be done in a variety of settings, from parks and the beach to cafes, restaurants, food trucks and bars.
With the rise in popularity of alfresco dining, many cities have taken steps to encourage food and beverage participation, by relaxing the alfresco dining rules for businesses. These changes create energy throughout CBD by making it more vibrant!
If you’re looking for ways to improve your outdoor dining area, then read on for some tips!
Outdoor chairs are a great way to attract new customers
Having an outdoor space can entice locals who are looking for a unique dining experience. Or just a spot of people watching over their morning coffee!
When potential customers see people enjoying their food and drinks outside, it can entice them to come inside and check out what your cafe has to offer. It is a good way to get your establishment’s brand name out there and market your business.
Cafes with tables and chairs on the pavement or footpath, patios and courtyards are a great way to increase foot traffic by attracting new customers who may not have otherwise known about your cafe.
Alfresco seating is perfect for warm weather climates
Perth is blessed with gorgeous weather and is known as the sunniest capital city in Australia. People are able to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle year-round, which is another reason to think about adding outdoor cafe chairs to your eatery.
Outdoor dining is perfect for warm weather months when people want to spend more time outside. It’s also a fantastic option when customers want to take advantage of the cool evening breezes or dine under the stars.
Alfresco dining also provides a refreshing change from indoor restaurants, where the noise levels, harsh lighting and air conditioning can make a meal out less enjoyable.
Outdoor cafe chairs can increase your revenue
If you serve a takeaway menu, outdoor seating will provide your regular customers with another option for enjoying their favourite meals. If you don’t already have one, consider starting a takeaway service as it’s becoming increasingly popular among people who want the convenience of eating without going out or cooking.
One idea is to add a takeaway or coffee window that looks onto your outdoor dining area, to entice customers to come back and enjoy a meal in the cafe.
People are more likely to buy food and drinks when they’re enjoying the outdoors and the atmosphere of your cafe. If your space feels like an extension of their own home, people will spend more time there and this can lead to an increase in sales.
Make sure there’s plenty of ambient lighting so customers can stay late into the night and offer free Wi-Fi to encourage people to stay longer.
Take advantage of your extra space with outdoor cafe furniture
If you’re lucky to have access to an outdoor area, transforming it into extra seating is a great opportunity to showcase your café’s unique outdoor decor or landscaping.
Take advantage of this by adding outdoor cafe seating and tables, plus a few comfortable chairs, or benches to create a relaxing space.
Outdoor cafe seating should be functional, but don’t forget about style and comfort. There’s no point investing in cafe chairs that look good but are uncomfortable or painful to sit in. Think about providing a few different styles of chairs, so your customers can choose what feels best for them.
This could include backless stools, high back stools, low stools, sturdy chairs, benches and ottomans. The key here is providing comfortable seating that invites guests to stay for a while.
You can help create a welcoming space with outdoor chairs and cafe tables that are low maintenance and easy to clean, so you won’t have to worry if they get dirty. Always make sure your furniture is lightweight, durable and can stand up to weather conditions.
Here are a few stylish options for a café or bar:
Stella High Stool
With its strong chrome steel frame and high back, the Stella High Stool is an excellent choice for bars and cafés. It can be ordered in a large range of colours to match your décor.
Stacey Stacker
The Stacey Stacker is a modern, steel-based chair with an easy-to-use design. Perfect for events, these chairs can be linked together and stacked up to 50 high on the trolley which is available from Arteil.
Stella Timber Legs
If you’re looking for a café or restaurant chair that’s both beautiful and functional, the Stella Timber Legs Chair is ideal. With a wide range of colours, you’ll be able to make your space stand out.
Lotus Cafe Chair
With its sleek design, the Lotus Cafe Chair is a stylish option for restaurants and cafés. It’s made from quality materials that ensure long-lasting use.
Always make sure your furniture is durable and can stand up to weather conditions. Stackable chairs are a great option, as they’re easy to pack up and move indoors when you close for the day.
One final tip is to give customers the option of being seated outside or inside – some may prefer an indoor table.
Design your outdoor cafe to stand out from the crowd
Outdoor dining can give your establishment a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere – if you get it right.
Here are some of the best alfresco dining design ideas to give you inspiration.
- When designing an outdoor space, it’s important to create a layout with a centrepiece that guests can gather around.
- This could include adding one or two eye-catching pieces such as colourful leather armchairs, cushions, to a striking sculpture or feature wall.
- The best way to get that signature, personalised look for your restaurant or bar is by selecting the right colour and fabric for your furniture.
- Greenery is a must as no one likes to sit down to a meal outdoors in a cold, sterile environment. Place some potted plants around the area for added decoration.
- To ensure customers are comfortable, rain or shine, have some brightly coloured umbrellas on hand to provide shade from the sun (or an unexpected shower).
- Play music that matches the mood you’re trying to create. Nothing ruins the atmosphere more than a jarring soundtrack to your Sunday brunch.
Your outdoor space should also be inviting and well-maintained. Make sure the area is clean and free of clutter, and that any plants or flowers are well-groomed. You could also add some ambient lighting to create a cosy atmosphere in the evening.
Dining alfresco is good for us
It’s no secret that people love being able to sit outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. But there are several other health benefits that come with enjoying a bite outdoors.
Spending time in the sun can help you get more Vitamin D, which is important for protection against a range of diseases.
Taking care of your customers is important, and outdoor chairs can provide a more relaxed atmosphere for them. Outdoor spaces are also good because they offer fresh air which can help improve mood and decrease anxiety levels.
Over the last year, there have been a lot of changes to what we can do in our daily lives, but there’s still plenty to enjoy. Outdoor areas are a better option compared to indoor dining due to the constant movement of fresh air and as they allow for plenty of space between you and others.
Alfresco, or open-air cafés, are also a great way to connect with your customers and create a sense of community and belonging that is beneficial for mental health.
Versatile, accessible and pet friendly
Adding unique features to your business such as bike racks outside your cafe, wheelchair-accessible entrances, a kid’s menu, and highchairs will help you stand out in the neighbourhood and make the locals want to visit again and again.
This can also encourage customers to get some extra exercise by walking or cycling to and from your cafe, instead of driving. Leaving a water bowl out for the café’s four-legged friends and you have a new furry customer base too.
Make your cafe stand out by having quirky outdoor furniture or planters to create some buzz around the neighbourhood. If people are talking about it, this can increase foot traffic as potential customers passing by may be curious about what the fuss is about.
Cafés or restaurants with outdoor chairs are the perfect place for conversation and catching up with friends. This is a great way to attract new business and keep your regulars coming back again and again. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to build customer loyalty by offering them something other venues don’t have!
Find the best cafe and restaurant chairs for your outdoor area
The most important pieces of outdoor furniture you need to make your alfresco dining experience pleasurable are chairs and tables.
If you’re looking for comfortable and stylish cafe and restaurant chairs, Arteil has a wide range at affordable prices. We have 40 years of experience in designing and manufacturing durable, high-quality furniture to suit your restaurant’s branding while still being comfortable for your locals to relax and enjoy.
Reach out to the Arteil today, so you can focus on serving people instead of worrying about what kind of seat they’ll be sitting on!