Restaurant Patio Furniture Guide

There are hardly a few weeks when the sun shines bright with the right intensity. While Canadians spend much of the year shoveling snow and cooping up inside, why not enjoy the gift of vitamin D when we can?

Restaurants also start setting up outdoor spaces with cozy and chic patio furniture to entertain the patrons. Quaint sidewalk seating and tables under the parasols have become the usual sight for restaurant-goers.

Imagine enjoying your morning coffee with the side of eggs sitting under the parasols, perched on comfortable patio chairs – isn’t that picturesque and perfect?

As furniture makers for decades and working alongside restaurant interior designers, we at Vogue Decor have wisdom to impart. To make the outdoor space the place where patrons love to come and spend some time, here are some things you need to consider, take note!

Outdoor Patio Furniture is Irreplicable

The outdoor seating area of your restaurant is surely an extension of your restaurant, but it is “also” not! Let us explain, you should maintain the theme and tone of the restaurant, but also, take it up a notch (or two). 

For an outdoor space, patio furniture seals the deal. These are made resilient to withstand all weather conditions – let it shine bright and rain. The durable material can take extra sun without losing its shine and gleam. 

In any entirely different weather situation, after the rain stops, you only need to take a microfiber cloth and mop the furniture of excess moisture, and viola, space is ready to accommodate patrons in that amazing post-rain weather.

On the other hand, if you were using the regular furniture that you use indoors, it would take extra time to dry. And not to forget, every few months it would require a coat of two to bring the shine back. Now that we have you convinced, let’s move to an important segment of how to choose the patio furniture for your space.

How to Choose the Restaurant Patio Furniture

Let’s put the whole thing in a nutshell, right at the beginning! Match the Vibe, Not Just the Menu. It’s a golden principle to choose the best restaurant outdoor furniture.

Let’s get to the details of picking the right outdoor furniture for your restaurant. With some consideration and thought, we can pull an ambiance to keep bringing the patrons back for the comfort and vibe.

Modern and Minimalist

This goes for old and new restaurant owners. Are you going for a modern vibe with contemporary savory desserts to serve, and chic interior design?

Think smooth straight lines, neutral colors, planters, functional patio chairs, and patio tables. Metal frames with powder-coating finishing offer great weather resistance, while it looks supremely modern. Sun will be the unpaid actor.

Rustic for Those Cozy Feels

Wood always gives cozy vibes. While we find wood doesn’t work well for Canadian weather, that too, in an outdoor area. At Vogue Decor, we have created pieces made with metal as a base. Then the furniture is painted in a finish to give cozy wood vibes. The earthy textures create calming hues to an environment and patrons feel instantly relaxed, to enjoy your meal and spend time with your company.

Coastal Vibe With or Without Beachfront

Yes, you do not have to be near the beach to create the vibe. If you pick the right outdoor patio furniture, you can create the vibe without being at the waterfront. For ambiance, you can place a lot of pots and planters with cozy cushions. For furniture, think “as white as Greece,” and get that all-white outdoor furniture. With the right music and seafood platters, you have just created a vibe for your patrons to relax in a coastal vibe minus the sea.  

Industrial Because Let’s Face It

Let’s face it and practical industrial designs are very easy to maintain. Industrial designs can be innovative and comfortable too. Faux rattan, faux wood, or faux teak, can be used to take advantage of the material for its durability, and design element to maintain the theme.

Material Matters: Your Best Options for Restaurant Patio Furniture

As a restaurant owner, you need to worry about food, the kitchen, and sourcing the right produce. Let us help you pick the right restaurant furniture because you don’t have to learn all about it and focus your energies on food.

Lightweight and Long-lasting Aluminium

Aluminium is the MVP for restaurant furniture. When setting up a patio or outdoor seating, no restaurant owner thinks twice before picking aluminum for their space.

Why such a level of trust?

Well, aluminum is durable, resilient to harsh weather conditions, rust-resistant, and can be molded into any design. Whether your space supports a rustic vibe or minimalistic chic ambiance, you can powder-coat the furniture to look as you wish.

Plus, they are easy to move around, can be stored away during the snowy weather, and still look as good as new. Every couple of years, all it needs is a fresh coat of paint and you are good to go for a couple more years. It is the best investment for your restaurant’s outdoor area.  

Wicker But Make It Synthetic

We don’t want to make it hard for restaurant owners. No one can deny what an absolute marvel original wicker looks, but let’s face it, winters can be brutal for outdoor furniture in Canada. With our range of outdoor furniture in Montreal, you can get synthetic wicker and create minimalistic and cozy vibes. Meanwhile, the wicker will last you for years even with harsh Canadian weather.

Faux Rattan Patio Furniture

The look and aesthetic of rattan is undeniable. But can you use rattan for patio furniture?

That would be a wrong decision seemingly for Canadian weather. How about using faux rattan which is also durable and easy to maintain? Now you do not have to worry about the fraying and chipping of ends in the patio furniture.

Bamboo Your Way to European Vibe

Create a look of a bistro outside busy Paris streets with bamboo-look-like chairs and tables. The faux bamboo is easy to maintain in rain and sun while looking as elegant as bamboo.

How to Let Comfort Take the Centre Seat

Comfort is a must when you are considering buying patio furniture. Nobody wants to sit on medieval torturing devices. Here is how you pick the most comfortable outdoor patio furniture for your restaurant.

Throw Some More Cushions

Cushions always elevate the look of any space. Since it’s an outdoor space, you don’t want a soggy mess, or a blob of yesterday’s coffee on the cushion.

For outdoor furniture opt for outdoor-friendly, weather-resistant, easy-to-clean materials. At Vogue Decor, you will find we have a wide variety of outdoor-friendly cushions that can be cleaned with one wipe. Let any spill or accident happen, one wipe of microfiber cloth, and it’s as good as new.

Now, throw in some more color cushions without any worries.

Stack, Fold, Put Away

Yes, that’s our mantra for outdoor furniture. Since, in this part of the country, the weather gets very harsh for outdoor seating, furniture needs to be put away. We design furniture that is easy to stack and put away when needed.

Also, it is highly ideal for outdoor spaces when you are hosting big gatherings. You can pull out the extra chairs from storage and host big events. For slower afternoons on weekdays, put some chairs away and create an open space for regular patrons to sit, relax, and enjoy the food.

Patio Tables: The Top Options for These Unsung Heroes

Tables are often overlooked but they ask for equal and undivided attention as middle children. This is the space where magic happens, so let’s take a look at options.

Round Vs. Square ǀ The Great Squabble

Now, you need to think this through. Round tables are best for restaurants that have more patrons who prefer an intimate and private space, a table for two. But square tables are great for restaurants to entertain big gatherings – just join the tables.

Honestly, there is no clear answer to this. Only a restaurant owner can make this decision depending on the restaurant’s guest flow and layout.

Marble ǀ Even Better Make it Porcelain  

It all boils down to the aesthetics of the restaurant. For outdoor space, if you want to create a vibe of a larger space, glass would do the trick for you.

But if you want to add more aesthetic to the restaurant’s overall theme, pick the clean porcelain white tables. In the Vogue Decor tabletop catalog, you will find some great pieces that mimic the teak, marble, granite, and oak finishes – meanwhile, they are easy to maintain porcelain or aluminum materials.    

Care and Maintenance Tips for Restaurant Patio Furniture

Here is how you can care for and maintain your valuable investment in those months of downtime.

Cleaning: Just like your kitchen equipment, there should be a schedule for regular cleaning of the patio furniture. Use regular soap and mop to maintain and clean. For grime, use cleaning agents but ditch the harsh chemicals.

Cover and Stack: When the weather conditions call for it, the outdoor furniture is put away for several months. It is best to clean and cover the furniture. When you are back in business for outdoor dining, the furniture will be as good as new if you store it away properly.  

Parting Words

Hope this complete guide gives you much-needed clarity. We have tried to unknot all the facets of materials, furniture type, and elements so you can make an informed decision. 

Except for table tops – this one is one for you! 

With this guide, and catalog on the side, explore each furniture category and see what would work with the theme of your restaurant. 

You can also reach out to us with raw ideas and plans. With your themes and ideas, we can suggest patio furniture that would help you create an amazing outdoor dining area for patrons.