Prepare for Patio Season: Selecting the Right Commercial Patio Furniture for Your Outdoor Spaces

The unofficial launch of patio season—Easter or May 24th, depending on where you are in the country—is right around the corner. Whether preparing your patio for its first or fifteenth season, selecting the right furniture is essential for keeping your guests comfortable and content.

Choosing the right patio furniture is an investment in customer experience and a sneaky form of advertising to passersby. An attractive patio setting projects an air of style, competence, and comfort that is appealing to foot traffic and in Instagram-worthy photographs of the venue.

Common mistakes venues make when selecting patio furniture

Restaurants and other venues with outdoor spaces tend to fall into one of these traps when purchasing patio furniture:

• Not selecting commercial-grade patio furniture
• Not considering foot traffic and flow
• Making color and design an afterthought

Going to big box or online retailers for inexpensive furniture can be tempting when outfitting your outdoor spaces. However, there are the major things to consider before going that route:

1. The furniture is not commercial grade, which may cause problems with liability and insurance.
2. The furnishings may look good (at least at first), but patio furniture must be tough. It must withstand the wear and tear of multiple uses and multiple seasons.
3. Budget options may start comfortable, with bright, clean colours but rapidly deteriorate and fade as the season progresses.

Also read: Choosing Your Perfect Pizza Pan: 6 Simple Things to Consider

Things to consider when shopping for commercial patio furniture

Durability

First, ask if the furniture is commercial grade. Consider how the piece of furniture will hold up from the weather, frequent use, and cleaning over the course of multiple seasons. Seek out durable materials like wrought iron, steel, aluminum, and quality synthetic wicker.

Comfort

The more comfortable a patron is on your patio, the longer they will stay and the more they will spend. Search for thick, comfortable, weatherproof cushions that will support frequent use over time.

Design

The style and color of the furniture should suit the look and feel of your restaurant and potentially entice passersby. An inviting patio setting is an experiential billboard. Choose tables that will work well with the dishware your restaurant uses. Small tables that enable you to seat more guests may be tempting—however, if your restaurant’s signature dishes don’t fit on the table, the choice may lead to spills and dissatisfied customers.

Price Point

Affordability is always a consideration, but spending more on better-quality furniture can pay off in the long run in several ways. Buying cheap furniture that must be replaced at the end of each season will cost you more money over time. However, the costs associated with potential guest injuries from poorly made furniture could far exceed even the costs of regular replacements. Commercial-grade products are safe, comfortable, and durable commercial-grade products—resulting in a far better investment for restaurants.

Patio Design

Determining the layout of your patio is more complicated than it might seem at first. Key considerations include designing traffic flow to avoid bottlenecks, determining after-hours storage and security, and managing umbrellas.

Compliance

Some venues will have to contend with local regulations. Check with local or regional authorities to confirm your patio plan meets local compliance laws.

Also read: Speed, Power, and Efficiency: A Starting Guide to Induction Ranges

Vendor Spotlight: Grosfillex

Global manufacturer Grosfillex builds quality indoor and outdoor furnishings utilizing virgin material for maximum durability. The commercial resin furniture is designed for food service and hospitality with comfort and safety in mind. Many items come with a three-year warranty and have an expected lifespan of seven to ten years.

Invest in customer comfort

When it comes to commercial patio furniture, measure twice and cut once. Making an informed choice will be an investment in your customer experience for many seasons to come. The Russell Hendrix Team is here to guide you through outfitting your restaurant patio with attractive, comfortable, and durable commercial patio furniture that will impress your guests for seasons to come.

The May 24th weekend and outdoor weather are fast approaching. Contact us to speak to one of our RH sales reps.