Find the Right Outdoor Patio Furniture for Your Property
Outdoor living, dining, and relaxing is here to stay. Increasingly, restaurants and bars that offer outdoor dining areas are better poised to attract customers. But before you select outdoor furnishings, consider first what purpose your outdoor space will serve.
Patios for restaurants can be used for:
- A waiting or welcome area
- Dining area
- Live performances and dancing
- Drinks and relaxation area
- Private events
Some restaurants have multi-purpose outdoor areas, so the ideal furniture for these places is often stackable and lightweight so it can be moved around easily. Other places use patios and courtyards for seasonal dining, as an entertainment venue, or as a waiting area where guests can comfortably lounge while they wait to be seated.
Why Are Outdoor Patios at Restaurants Becoming More Popular?
Patios are increasingly becoming essential features for restaurants, driven by changing customer preferences and public health considerations. Here are the key reasons behind their growing popularity:
1. Health and Safety Concerns
Patios provide a safer dining option with better ventilation, reducing the risk of airborne illnesses and appealing to health-conscious diners.
2. Enhanced Dining Experience
Offering unique ambiances and scenic views, patios enrich the dining experience with a connection to the outdoors that indoor spaces can’t match.
3. Versatility and Year-Round Appeal
Advances in outdoor heating and weatherproofing allow patios to be utilized throughout the year, even in cooler climates, making them versatile dining options.
4. Increased Seating Capacity
Patios expand seating capacity efficiently, helping restaurants serve more customers, especially during peak times, without the need for major renovations.
5. Social and Entertainment Value
Patios are ideal for hosting social events and entertainment like live music, making dining out a more engaging and enjoyable experience.
6. Marketing and Aesthetic Appeal
With their visual charm, patios are perfect for generating social media content, enhancing a restaurant’s aesthetic appeal and online presence.
Patios align with the trend towards dynamic and customer-focused dining environments, offering multiple functional and aesthetic benefits that cater to both operational needs and consumer preferences.
Top Dining Tables for Restaurants & Cafés
If you’re looking for outdoor bistro tables that don’t take up much space, look for small round or square tables. A pedestal-footed table can give diners the feeling of having more legroom, and it’s also easier to sweep around. Rectangular tables with four legs can seat 6 or more guests and give a grand feel to your guests.
Product |  Willow Table |  Juniper Table |  Magnolia Table |
|---|---|---|---|
Multiple sizes? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bar height available? | Yes | No | Yes |
Stain proof? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Weatherproof | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Price | $$ | $$$ | $$$ |
Umbrella hole? | No | Yes | Yes |
Best Patio Chairs for Restaurants & Cafés
The best outdoor dining chairs for your restaurant will take into consideration the weather and how versatile the space needs to be. Below are example scenarios where restaurants may want or need different types of patio furniture.
- If your restaurant is in a hot, sunny climate, you might want to avoid all-metal chairs that could absorb heat and become hot to the touch.
- If your outdoor area is a flexible space used for dining, live entertainment, and events, you will need chairs that are lightweight, stackable, and easy to move around.
- If you live in an area that is hurricane prone, you may want heavier furniture.
Product |  Willow Dining Chair |  Juniper Dining Chair with Arms |  Magnolia Dining Chair |
|---|---|---|---|
Available without arms? | No | Yes | Yes |
Bar height available? | Yes | No | Yes |
Stackable? | No | No | Yes |
Comfort | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
Weatherproof | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Options | None |
|
|
Price | $ | $$ | $$$ |
Cushions? | No | Yes | No |
Top Lounge Furniture for Restaurants
Upscale clubs, bars, and resorts usually have one thing in common: they all offer guests places to sit, sip a drink, and relax with friends. And the best of these places have lounge areas in the outdoors—such as patios, rooftop gardens, plazas, and poolside bars.
When selecting outdoor lounge furniture for your property, consider the style, the degree of weather resistance needed for your climate, and other practical considerations such as seating configurations and stain resistance.
Products |  Ash Armchair |  Birch Chair |  Linden Armchair |  Palm Armchair |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Coordinating products | Chaise Lounge, Sectional, & more | Chaise Lounge, Loveseat, Sofa, Daybed, & more | Hanging Basket Chair, Chaise Lounge, Sofa, & more | Loveseat, Sofa, Coffee Table, Side Table |
Coffee table available? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Comfort | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
Weatherproof | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stain resistant? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Options |
|
|
|
|
Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
Outdoor cushions? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Best Outdoor Bar Tables & Stools
Outdoor bars and beer gardens are super trendy right now. With some patio lights and the right furniture, a cement pad in the rear of the building can be transformed into a desirable gathering spot for locals and tourists in your area. If it rains frequently in your area, it might be a good idea to skip barstools with cushions unless you have a roof that at least partially covers your outdoor bar.
Products |  Magnolia Barstool with Arms |  Willow Barstool |  Willow Backless Barstool |
|---|---|---|---|
Coordinating bar table? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stackable? | No | No | No |
Comfort | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ |
Weatherproof | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Options |
| None | None |
Price | $$$ | $$ | $$ |
With the right furniture, you can expand your restaurant into the outdoors with minimal expense. Offering an outdoor bar or dining area will make your business trendier and more desirable.
To find out more about the MityLite Vita Outdoor Collection, talk to your MityLite Sales Rep.
We look forward to helping you furnish your outdoor restaurant dining area in style!
