While enjoying a meal or the comfy atmosphere is fun, it’s always a good idea to try your favorite meals in the open air, in one of those beautifully decorated and stylish alfresco dining areas. Apart from the interior design which includes lighting, seating area and decoration, another important factor that needs to be considered when opening a new restaurant is the outdoor dining room. Almost every smaller or bigger restaurant with a terrace has at least two tables and a few chairs that easily tempt you to sit outside regardless of the season and the weather conditions. Here are a few tips on how to create a relaxing and welcoming outdoor dining space.
Invest in your furniture
Since the outside dining area of the restaurant is the focal point and the first thing passersby and potential customers see, its essential to make it more inviting and appealing. New furniture can add a fresh look to it, contribute to a more pleasant atmosphere and make it more stylish, eye-catching and welcoming to returning customers.
There is a variety of different styles you can choose from that will perfectly match the overall style and design of the restaurant. Whichever furniture you choose to decorate your alfresco dining area with, it’s essential to find a good storage solution in case of bad weather, before purchasing anything.
Keep the weather in mind
Although enjoying a delicious meal in open air sounds like a perfect way to spend your afternoon, weather can sometimes ruin the whole experience. If you want your customers to stay, you need to prepare for every situation. During the hot summer or rainy and windy days, you need to keep your customers comfortable by placing appropriate structures. For instance, these cafe blind specialists from Sydney offer the solution that blocks out the wind while also allowing those sitting inside to still view and enjoy the outdoor environment comfortably, perfect for letting natural light shine through, allowing you to create a more artistic look and bring the atmosphere to a whole new level.
Also, winter days can get pretty cold and it’s necessary to keep your guests warm and cozy by investing in patio, tabletop or portable heaters. The most affordable and practical option is to get a few warm blankets that will not only solve the heat problem but will also make your guest feel like they are at home.
Choose appropriate lighting
One of the things that makes sitting in an al fresco dining area even more enjoyable is the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and natural light of its beautiful surrounding. However, to create a perfect ambience that will make the evening equally enjoyable to your guests, you need to install adequate lightning.
You can either place some serious lighting fixtures to provide your guest with just enough light, or you can experiment with various fairy lights and beautiful lanterns that will add a whimsical touch to the whole exterior.
Prepare kitchen specialties outdoors
Preparing your food outdoors can be an innovative and worthwhile idea that will make potential customers drop by and taste one of your specialties. Naturally, this requires purchasing or renting appropriate outdoor cooking equipment which might be costly venture but one worthwhile. You can even organize cooking classes where guest can have a hands on experience and indulge in making some of their most favorite dishes.
Keep bugs away
Finally, make sure you protect your dining sitting area from all the tiny unwanted guests such as mosquitos and other tiny bugs. They can be rather annoying and you don’t want your guests to be distracted from having their meal and enjoying a pleasant evening. Insect repellent and mosquito nets do the job for you.