Nice weather encourages outdoor dining. Whether you’re sipping drinks at an outdoor bar overlooking a sunset on a summer evening or meeting friends for brunch at a European-style sidewalk café, outdoor dining is a timeless trend that continues to grow. The right patio furniture can significantly enhance the outdoor dining experience. Fortunately, the market for outdoor restaurant furniture is expanding, offering a variety of styles and colors to coordinate with many patio décor themes. Most importantly, this furniture is designed to be durable and long-lasting, able to withstand environmental stresses.
(888) 495-8884
(888) 495-8884
Live Chat
Fundamentals of Restaurant Patio Furniture
What You Should Look For
Aesthetics is often the most important factor for people purchasing commercial patio furniture. Understandably, customers want furniture that reflects their tastes, décor, and brand. However, low-quality patio furniture that doesn’t last, is uncomfortable, or fails to satisfy in the long run negates its visual appeal, leading to unexpected costs. Buying a “cheaper alternative” can be a costly mistake, with mounting expenses for constant replacement and maintenance. While attractive patio furniture is essential, there are other major considerations to keep in mind:
- Measure your patio space to determine what and how much furniture can fit.
- Select furniture types and styles that harmonize with your venue’s interior and exterior.
- Consider versatility, weather resistance, strength, and ease of storage.
- Evaluate the required maintenance for your chosen furniture.
- Stay within your budget.
- Identify the best time to buy.
Determining your general patio seating needs is crucial for making the right purchases. What kind of outdoor dining space do you want to create? Do you envision an outdoor kitchen area or a relaxing space for guests to lounge over cocktails on summer nights? Measuring your current space will help you calculate the number of guests you can accommodate. For formal outdoor dining areas, sturdy patio tables and chairs are recommended. In contrast, for a casual outdoor lounge, consider using patio lounge chairs and side tables.
Outdoor Dining Layout Considerations
Not all patios are the same. Each outdoor commercial setting possesses its unique constellation of characteristics, influenced by the existing space, layout, and furniture arrangement. Just as you would draw a restaurant floor plan for your indoor dining room, you should also consider your patio size. Bulky outdoor restaurant furniture would not be suitable for a small patio. Select items that fit well within your available space. Think of your patio design process as similar to how a director views the creation of a theater’s stage set, where props and scenery are strategically positioned to support the story of the show. The commercial patio furniture you choose and how you place it speak volumes about your outdoor dining space.
Space planning is an interior design term that describes how a patio is created. If you decide to enlist the help of a commercial designer for your patio layout, they will gather all the relevant information about the site, including your expectations and preferences for how you want to use your outdoor restaurant. A preliminary patio layout plan will allow you to visualize yourself in that space and understand the seating plan your designer has created for you. This is particularly important if you are incorporating built-in amenities, as they cannot be rearranged later. With portable amenities, however, you can better understand how seasonal changes will impact your furniture and the overall patio experience.
Different Types of Patio Furniture
| Furniture Type | Image | Material | Durability | Maintenance | Affordability |
| Rattan Patio Table |  |
Faux Rattan | Has a slightly rustic, country and coastal vibe. Extremely weather-resistant, lightweight, easy to clean, and recyclable. | Wash with mild detergent, rinse, and clean. | Price varies by size and furniture, though faux rattan is thought to be cheaper and more weather resistant than natural rattan. |
| Rattan Patio Chair |  |
Synthetic Wicker | Lends a traditional, homey feel to your patio. Versatile, waterproof, fade resistant, and easy to clean. | Use hose or pressure washer. Remove cushion (if included) and wash using a sponge with soap. Rinse with cold water. | Considerably more affordable and resistant to rain, sleet, snow, moisture, and other forms of inclement weather than natural wicker. |
| Plastic Teak Chair |  |
(Plastic) Teak | Lightweight, eco-friendly, low maintenance, waterproof (if actual wood teak is coated with an exterior grade varnish). Has a beachy/summery look. Plastic teak tends to last longer. | Easy to clean with soapy water. Rinse the suds and allow the item to completely dry before use. | Depending on the size and usage, plastic teak can be up to 40% cheaper than wood teak and longer lasting. |
| Aluminum Bar Stool |  |
Aluminum | Many include protective powder coating against outdoor elements. Lightweight construction yet durably built. Easy to form and mold. Rust and water resistant. Low maintenance. | Wash with soapy water and rinse. Preserve finish with paint touch-ups to avoid oxidation. | Though prices of aluminum are continually fluctuating based on global supply and demand, they are considerably lower than stainless steel. |
| Resin Table Top |  |
Resin | Low maintenance, lightweight, and inexpensive. No painting or sealing required. Fire retardant. Won’t easily crack, peel, or fade. | Use cleaning agents that specifically prevent mildew and rinse with water. | Perfect choice for those who are cost-conscious. Generally more affordable than patio furniture made of other materials. |
Best Time to Buy Patio Furniture
While spring and summer days are the ideal times for outdoor dining, it may surprise you to learn that these seasons are not the best for purchasing patio furniture. In fact, patio furniture prices peak during this time, as venues host outdoor events such as music festivals, expos, barbecues, and pool parties. So, when is the best time to find bargains on patio furniture? Believe it or not, clearance sales on patio furniture typically occur from August to October. During this period, commercial furniture manufacturers and online distributors sell items at reduced prices to clear out excess stock and make room for fall inventory.
Restaurant patio furniture is often available at approximately 20% off the original price in early August. By October, you can find savings of up to 70%! Keep an eye out for sales, and if you have your heart set on a particular item, be ready to make your purchase when it goes on sale. When shopping for outdoor restaurant furniture online, consider signing up for notifications to alert you when an item is discounted.
Mistakes to Avoid
Indoor restaurants are fairly straightforward: the dining room is for dining, the kitchen is for meal preparation, the storage room is for equipment and supplies, and so on. Your approach to patio design is a personal decision; however, enthusiastic designers and decorators can sometimes fall into the trap of making avoidable mistakes, including:
- Purchasing residential patio furniture. Learn why it’s not advisable here.
- Choosing impractical items.
- Using restaurant furniture specifically designed for indoor use in your outdoor space.
- Overcrowding or under-furnishing the area.
- Under-accessorizing, using too many props, or neglecting décor altogether.
- Poor seating arrangements.
- Not using enough color or using too much color.
Attractive and comfortable patio furniture is a simple way to enhance your outdoor dining space. Well-placed, decorative furniture can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. A cozy seating area can transform your patio into a favorite spot for making new memories. Today's trend is to provide a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor dining experience for your guests, just as you would in your indoor establishment. There is patio furniture available to coordinate with every space, vision, and budget.