Finding the Right Outdoor Furniture For Your Cafe: 4 Things to Think About
Posted on: 25 January 2016
People love to stop by a café for a quick drink and a bite of something nice, and it's even better when they can sit outside and enjoy the sun. That's why the majority of cafés have outdoor furniture; if yours isn't one of them, you should definitely consider making the change, as long as you know what to look for. Here are the four things you need to consider when buying outdoor furniture for a café.
1. Character
Appearance should be the very first thing you think about. Though some cafés have a garden in the rear, most will place their outdoor furniture right outside the front door.
That means that your furniture will provide one of the first impressions of your business. It's plainly crucial to make it count, so consider the character of your café, then make sure the outdoor furniture fits. It's worth spending more money to make sure everything fits.
2. Weight and Versatility
Weight is one of those things that's easy to forget about, but it makes a real impact. If your café is in a windy area, wood or iron is going to be the best material since chairs won't be blown around; if you're only going to be putting the furniture outside only during certain times of the year, something lighter, like aluminium, would be a better choice.
If you will be moving furniture frequently, try to make sure that you get some that is easy to store. Stackable chairs and foldable tables are ideal, especially since cafés tend to be on the smaller side, with storage space at a premium.
3. Eco-Friendliness
The environmental impact of your choice probably isn't something that leaps to the front of your mind as a central consideration, but it should.
Firstly, and most obviously, choosing a material such as bamboo or refurbished wood can really help the planet, but the benefits go beyond that. Eco-friendly furniture says something about your establishment. Own a very health-conscious café that utilises only the best organic ingredients? Buying eco-friendly furniture fits perfectly with your image.
4. Cost
Anyone looking out for commercial outdoor furniture will probably already be well aware of the need for a budget. Of course, they might not know exactly how to cut down on costs in order to get more bang for their buck. The best thing to do is buy your outdoor furniture after the summer months have come to an end; the drop in demand really sees prices fall. You can even consider going used if your café fosters more of a bohemian, individualistic vibe.
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