Things To Avoid When Planning An Outdoor Café Seating

If you want to expand your café space to accommodate more guests, alfresco seating is your best bet. This addition won’t require you to spend on renovation or remodels for expansion. Your customers can also enjoy a fresh, sunny alternative to indoor dining. One thing you must focus on, however, is finding the perfect outdoor café seating that represents your brand and the mood you want to convey.

Planning for your café’s first outdoor seating area is challenging, especially knowing that your competition may be doing the same thing. If you want to stand out, our advice is to avoid common mistakes that turn a positive customer experience into a bad one.

We made a list of these outdoor seating no-nos for your café.

Outdoor Café Seating Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Alfresco Dining

You must never commit these alfresco seating mistakes or lose your five-star reviews!

Not providing adequate shading

Although alfresco dining is all about enjoying the refreshing air and warm sunlight, it’s only enjoyable to a certain extent. Providing your diners with proper, adequate shading is crucial to a memorable outdoor experience.

In New Zealand, where summers can be scorching hot and rainy days evenly spread throughout the year, your customers will need a place to escape. Proper shading solutions, such as umbrellas, tents, awnings, and trees, protect diners from the weather.

Ample shading also protects your outdoor furnishings from harmful ultraviolet rays that affect their quality.

 Poor seating layout and spacing

Aside from protecting your customers from the constant rain and extreme sunlight, give them enough room to move around. Your seating layout and arrangement should be both strategic and thoughtful.

Don’t let your customers feel you only care about profits by cramping or overcrowding your new alfresco area! Focus on customer experience by mindfully choosing the size of your tables and chairs.

Visualise the space, especially the number of guests you’re likely to have in your outdoor seating area. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and see what the space feels like, especially during peak hours.

Focusing too much on daytime dining

Don’t just focus on daytime dining and how your customers will experience your space under the sun. Also, think of the nighttime scene and how you can enhance their late afternoon or early evening hangout with friends and family.

Warm, ample illumination through charming light fixtures, table lamps, and mood lighting can add character and charm to your space.

Additionally, don’t forget your bug lights and heaters to keep mosquito bites at bay!

Not regularly maintaining your outdoor space

Set aside time for cleaning and maintenance, especially for your outdoor seating. Unlike your indoor fixtures and furnishings, your outdoor set-up is prone to dust, rain, fog, and other elements.

Remember that as an area outside your commercial building, it is the first thing customers and potential diners see. Make the space inviting so you can make a good impression. Opt for café chairs NZ furniture designers recommend and tables that complement your existing design.

These are the key mistakes to avoid when creating an outdoor café seating area for your café. Make these considerations and thank us later!