Designing outdoor dining spaces for restaurants

Summer is here and everyone wants to spend as much time as possible in the great outdoors.

Brits love to soak up the sun, and providing a place for them to do that at your restaurant is a great way to capitalise on that fact.

You’ll be able to serve more covers and increase your profits – what’s not to like? To help you on your way, we’ve put together a few of the essentials you’ll need to follow to ensure your restaurant makes the most of its outside space.

Plan for all weather

It’s been a pretty wet summer even by the UK’s standards, but warmer temperatures are on the horizon. However, it’s wise to plan for all conditions to ensure you get maximum usage out of your outdoor space.

Ensure any tables have a parasol that can provide some shade on hot days and protection from the rain if it’s a wet one. You could go one step further and place a retractable roof over the entire seating area. This would enable you to make use of it in any weather.

Factor in space for patio heaters as well – it won’t be long until the nights draw in and the temperatures start to dip significantly when the sun goes down.

Lighting

Fairy lights and festoon lights with warm tones can bring an appealing, cosy ambience to your outside space. They’re easy to install and the job is even quicker if you use a cordless tool powered by a Milwaukee M18 battery.

Having some larger industrial-style statement lights will lift the design further. They can also help ensure any walkways stay illuminated, reducing the chances of any accidents occurring.

Furniture

Perhaps one of the most important elements is finding the right furniture. You need tables and chairs that are hardy, low maintenance and quick to set up. You’ll also find life easier if they’re stackable – or at least collapsible so they can be stored in a compact area. However, you mustn’t compromise on quality; do what you can to bring aspects of your interior design to the outside space.

Plan the layout of the area carefully – the last thing you want is guests bumping into one another as they make their way to their seats, or servers struggling to navigate the area while carrying food and drinks.

Final touches

When everything else is sorted, it’s time to fine-tune your design.

Outdoor plants provide a natural look and are relatively cost-effective – perfect if your restaurant is in a cramped urban area. Potted plants and hedgerows could be used as dividers to provide guests with a little more privacy too. Artwork, sculptures and water features can also do the same job while creating a unique aesthetic your guests will love.