Cafes and restaurants have seen a growth in customers looking for outdoor dining space in recent years. If you own a café and already have outdoor space for serving your customers, you may be wondering how to refresh it and give it a new look. Doing so means you can rely on your loyal customers returning on a regular basis.
Refreshing your outdoor dining space with updated design features will attract new customers, increasing your profitability and presence in the area. There are many innovative ways you can refine the look of your outdoor space such as installing new cafe blinds or updating the chairs and tables.
Let’s take a look at the different ways you can refresh your café outdoor dining space so you can keep your customers happy and your business thriving!
6 Tips for Refreshing Your Café Outdoor Dining Space
1. Outdoor Blinds
If you haven’t already done it, then installing outdoor café blinds will instantly turn your outside dining area into an all-weather space, all year around. Café blinds can even create a chic atmosphere to your eatery, enticing customers to stay longer than normal. It’s also one of the ways of increasing your annual turnover by adding more dining space to your café.
You can opt for various designs so speak to the blinds experts before deciding on which feature is best for your café. Installing outdoor café blinds is a cost-effective investment that’ll make quick returns, as more customers spend time enjoying alfresco dining in your eatery.
2. Lighting
Ambience and creating the right mood is essential in any restaurant and this applies to your outdoor dining area as well. Lighting can go a long way to improving the atmosphere of your café, especially to ensure people enjoy evening meals in your establishment.
Installing bright lighting is important but take it one step further and turn your fittings into a focal point. Light fittings can turn alfresco dining at nighttime into an enchanting experience so find ones that make a statement. Fairy lights, chandeliers and art décor lighting designs are some of the ways you can create the right ambience for evening dining outdoors.
3. Outdoor Furniture
Furnishing your outdoor dining space is another way of refreshing your café look and feel in an instant. Take advantage of brightly coloured cushions with bold patterns and wrought iron tables for an alfresco atmosphere. If space allows, bring in some outdoor sofas and let your customers lounge comfortably while sipping on their favourite latte!
Important tips:
- Your furniture must be functional while still looking fresh and clean.
- Make sure they’re easy to wipe down after each meal.
- Comfort is key if you want to encourage your customers to stay longer while ordering more from your menu, so select furnishing that’s cosy and enticing at the same time.
4. Artwork
Turn your outdoor dining space into a masterpiece! Use artwork to liven up the atmosphere by asking an artist to paint bright and elaborate murals on the outside walls. If the space is enclosed and protected from rain and sun, add some framed artwork to the walls. Get creative and place paintings on small easels scattered around the area.
Customers are drawn to places that offer a charming visual element to their dining experience. Using artwork creatively is a good way to do this. Tie the artwork into the theme of your café to make more of an impact.
5. Flowers and Plants
Flowers and plants are used in most eateries to add atmosphere and charm. Don’t forget to use them in your outdoor dining space as a way of refreshing the look and feel every day. Greenery can be enhanced by using indoor plants potted in beautiful or funky containers, depending on your café theme.
Freshly picked, brightly-coloured flowers can be placed on tables or go for longer-lasting herbs planted in small pots that don’t use up too much space. Potted plants can also be used as natural dividers to create some privacy for diners. Lush green plants add elegance and freshness to any space so make sure you include them in your outdoor dining area.
6. Fire Pits
Fire pits are ideal in outdoor dining spaces for adding a cosy ambience on cool days and cold nights. Order a custom-design fire pit and make it the focal point of your café outdoor space. Or, bring in smaller ones and position them all around your dining area, if space allows.
You do need to take into consideration the safety of your customers so look for safe designs. Professional fire pit designers will be able to advise on the best designs for your café alfresco dining needs.
Final Thoughts
Refreshing the look and feel of your café outdoor dining space is simple when using any of these tips. While adding ambience and charm with these ideas, you can also add your own personality to your eatery. Customers love a place that’s unique and comfortable, so make sure your café is the place to go to, no matter the season!
