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An outdoor space can do wonders for your restaurant. A restaurant patio not only offers a unique dining experience but improves visibility as well. Whether soaking in the afternoon sun during summer or an intimate dinner on a starry night, the restaurant patio has unparalleled charm for your customers. After all, who doesn't like to enjoy dining in fresh air amidst scenic views and the aroma of food cooking? 

Additionally, an outdoor patio increases your restaurant's seating capacity as well. Especially in the post-Covid-19 era, your customers would prefer to enjoy their meals in the open. Therefore, investing in restaurant patio furniture can be a sensible choice. Sure, it requires considerable investment. But, if you plan well, use high-quality patio furniture, and create an inviting ambiance, it pays off quickly. Read on to know how you can choose the best restaurant patio furniture that contributes to increased revenue.

What to look for in restaurant patio furniture

As an owner, you would expect your restaurant patio furniture to be aesthetically pleasing, affordable, durable, and something that reflects your personal taste or style. Your customers may expect comfortable, trendy furniture. Apart from these initial considerations, here are some additional things you must consider while choosing your restaurant patio furniture:

1. Measuring your patio space

Before you start considering the patio furniture style or materials, the first thing is to get to know your outdoor area. Measure your restaurant patio space to understand how much furniture and decor you can fit. As a restaurant owner, you want to maximize seating capacity to get more profits. However, remember that the beauty of a restaurant patio lies in its casual, airy, and comfortable space.  Overcrowding your patio with furniture will detract from its appeal and make it hard for your staff and customers to move around easily. Moreover, the ongoing Covid-19 situation may require you to leave additional space between seating groups. In particular, ask yourself these questions:

  • What is the average dining group of your restaurant?
  • Do you want a separate kitchen for your patio?
  • Can you afford to install an outdoor bar?
  • Are you leaving sufficient space for the movement of your staff and customers?

Person planning a layout

 

2. Furniture type and style

Now that you are aware of the restaurant's outdoor space and requirements, next comes choosing the perfect furniture type and style. When it comes to outdoor furniture, you can select from several options like rattan, plastic, aluminum, resin, etc. Restaurant patio furniture should be affordable, durable, comfortable, and visually appealing. At the same time, it should e able to bear the brunt of harsh weather conditions and match your restaurant style.

When planning the furniture type and style, you can either carry the indoor ambiance outdoors or go for a complete makeover of the outdoor patio. Many recent design trends call for sophisticated and innovative seating arrangements. If yours is a spacious patio, consider an abstract seating layout with contrasting furniture styles in varying heights. Since tables are the highlight of any dining space, start with a gorgeous table style and build the rest of your restaurant patio around them.

3. Versatility, weather resistance, strength, and easy storage

Although the requirements of restaurant patio furniture are similar to that of indoor furniture, you must consider some additional properties. For example, while most traditional, standard indoor restaurant furniture has just one application, outdoor furniture should be multipurpose, stackable, and versatile. Since many restaurants use outdoor seating only during certain months or seasons, restaurant patio furniture should be easy to move and store.

Similarly, since restaurant patio furniture is exposed to climate extremes, it must be weather-resistant.

  • Rain and moisture are probably the most damage causing agents to outdoor furniture. If your restaurant is in an area that has excessive humidity or sees frequent rains, make sure the patio furniture is well protected against corrosion or rust formation, fungi, etc.
  • Fungal growths like mold and mildew are common in the tiny surface irregularities, especially of untreated wood.
  • For restaurants located near the beach, salt in the air can be problematic.
  • Finally, to counter the UV radiation from the sun, make sure that the patio furniture has been properly treated. Alternately, you can consider adding an umbrella that not only protects the furniture but offers comfort to your customers as well. Look for fabrics with UV protection.

4. How much maintenance is required?

While most owners pay special attention to the durability, affordability, and versatility of restaurant patio furniture, they may forget to research the care required in maintaining them. When buying outdoor furniture initially, a restaurant owner will want to make sure they get products that will last a long time.  Cleaning and maintaining you furniture will go a long ways towards ensuring their durability.  Look for options that are easy to clean and maintain. If yours is a busy restaurant and you want a quick table turnover, go for styles and materials that are easy to clean and do not require frequent maintenance. In particular, materials like aluminum, plastic, and teak and more are some options to consider.

5. Look for budget-friendly options

Let's face it! Restaurant patio furniture requires a considerable initial investment. As an owner, it might be tempting to go for cheaper materials. However, while choosing materials for your patio furniture, consider the upfront cost as well as the repair or maintenance costs over time. A sub-par material might save you money initially, but you might have to bear the repairing or replacement expenses frequently. On the other hand, high-quality, commercial furniture from a reputed manufacturer will save you operational headaches and give you peace of mind.

What are the types of materials for restaurant patio furniture?

When it comes to restaurant patio furniture, you can choose from several materials. Each of these materials has its own characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks. Most importantly, each material responds differently to weather extremes and, therefore, requires special care. Let's understand some of the most common materials used for patio furniture:

1. Synthetic Wicker

All-weather wicker furniture, traditionally constructedfrom rattan, uses weather-resistant fibers with UV protective coating for a natural look and glossy finish. Synthetic wicker furniture is famous for being lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and having a classy appearance.

  • Cleaning: To start with, remove debris with a vacuum cleaner or use a dry brush. Scrub gently using a mild soap solution and a soft cloth to remove stains.
  • Maintenance: Sunlight is the most prominent concern for synthetic wicker. Since wicker furniture cannot endure abrasive cleaning, your best ally is to clean it regularly. If you notice any peeling or chipping, use fine sandpaper followed by touch-up paint.

Wicker Restaurant patio Chair

 

2. Teak Wood

Thanks to its natural look and warm appearance, teak is one of the most sought-after materials for restaurant patio furniture. Teak has a high natural oil content that repels water for constructing all-weather furniture. Moreover, its higher strength, ease of maintenance, and long life make it an attractive and durable choice for the outdoors.

  • Cleaning: If you notice stains or mildew, use a solution of powdered oxygen bleach in hot water. Scrub the area gently with a soft-bristle brush. Similarly, for rust stains, you can consider sanding lightly along the grain of the wood. Avoid chlorine bleach as it can damage fibers.
  • Maintenance: Most outdoor teak wood furniture comes with a protective coating or sealing to protect it from UV rays, moisture, or dirt. However, the sealing holds only for a year or two, and you must reseal it every 1 to 3 years to make it last longer. To do so, clean and sand the surface and apply touch-up paint if needed. Subsequently, coat the surface uniformly with a water-repellent preservative.

Faux Teak Restaurant Table

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3. Aluminum

Aluminum remains the most common choice for restaurant furniture. It is lightweight yet sturdy, durable yet affordable. Further, it is available in various styles, patterns, and colors that last a long time.

  • Cleaning: Use a soft cloth with a mild soap solution, and scrub gently. If you notice any rusting or mold formation, lightly sand the surface and apply touch-up paint.
  • Maintenance: Although aluminum offers considerable resistance to corrosion, consider powder coating that adds to the visual appeal and resists scratches. Apply silicone spray on joints, nuts, and bolts for lubrication.

Stainless Steel Restaurant Table and Chair Set

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4. Stainless Steel

The high tensile strength of stainless steel makes it the most popular choice for constructing heavy-duty commercial patio furniture. It is less likely to blow away during harsh winds and offers sufficient resistance to rusting and corrosion. It might require you to invest more initially, but stainless steel patio furniture proves to be a rewarding investment over time.

  • Cleaning: Cleaning with a microfiber or soft cloth dipped in mild soap solution does the trick most of the time. While repainting or applying touch-up paint, make sure to dry the surface between coats as there are usually several thin layers.
  • Maintenance: The presence of salt and humidity can cause corrosion in stainless steel furniture. Inspect frequently for rust formation or chipping, especially in the hidden areas.

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5. Resin/Plastic

Lightweight, inexpensive synthetic resins and plastics, in attractive shapes and trendy colors, help to create a modern and minimalistic ambiance. With cutting-edge technologies, coloring is an inherent process of molding, plastic is a fade-resistant material. However, since they are comparatively light in weight, ensure that you secure them in windy weather conditions.

  • Cleaning: For regular cleaning, use a mild soap solution and a soft cloth. If you notice any mildew or stubborn stain, prepare a 1-part chlorine bleach 10-part water solution.
  • Maintenance: Plastics are probably the easiest materials to maintain. However, residue sunscreen, if any, can cause discoloration. Make sure that you wipe the furniture with a wet cloth.

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6. Granite

Granite is a hard surface that is heat and bacteria resistant and is easy to clean. It is a popular choice for outdoor dining, as it offers a better return on investment. Granite, being durable and affordable, not only helps create a visually appealing patio but is also low in maintenance.

  • Cleaning: The smooth surface is easy to clean, and most of the time, you only need a soft cloth.
  • Maintenance: Granite serves as an unfavorable environment for bacteria growth. Therefore, it requires less maintenance and less chance of contaminated food. The non-porous granite material does not absorb water, and if sealed properly, it has minimal wear and tear.

Granite restaurant table

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What are the things you must consider for restaurant patio furniture?

  • Have sufficient shade and weather protection like umbrellas, awnings, etc., to offer a comfortable dining experience for your guest and protect the furniture.
  • Opt for restaurant patio furniture that is durable, lightweight, waterproof, UV resistant, and stackable.
  • Invest in commercial patio heaters to keep your guests comfortable during winters.
  • Have dedicated storage and transitional spaces to secure your patio furniture between seasons.
  • Use waterproof patio covers to protect your restaurant furniture when not using them.

Where to buy restaurant patio furniture

As you might have guessed by now, quality outdoor furniture coupled with proper care can do wonders to retain its stunning appearance and improve its lifespan. At Missouri Table & Chair, we have over four decades of experience in manufacturing commercial grade restaurant patio furniture. Our wide range of durable outdoor chairs and tables can withstand harsh climates for any high traffic restaurant. We thrive to offer customized solutions, cutting edge products, and reliable customer service at competitive prices. Get in touch to find your perfect modern restaurant patio furniture to impress your guests and grow your business.

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