{"id":3750,"date":"2015-08-05T11:13:23","date_gmt":"2015-08-05T11:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/?p=3750"},"modified":"2021-02-24T16:58:32","modified_gmt":"2021-02-24T21:58:32","slug":"5-tips-to-create-a-killer-outdoor-dining-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/5-tips-to-create-a-killer-outdoor-dining-space\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips to Create a Killer Outdoor Dining Space"},"content":{"rendered":"

OpenTable recently revealed its list of top restaurants for outdoor dining, as voted by OpenTable users. While many of them were standouts for their jaw-dropping views of oceans, deserts and mountains, the spaces represented a variety of settings from garden patios to rooftop decks. So what makes a good outdoor space, and are you missing out on visits because your al fresco is just so-so? Here are a few tips to make the most of your decks, patios and other outdoor dining areas.<\/p>\n

\"Patio\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Consider all aspects.<\/strong> On one hand, outdoor seats are cheap seats. You don\u2019t have to pay for walls, air conditioning and the like. On the other hand, there\u2019s more to it than just setting up a few tables and chairs. Expenses include costs associated with health, fire, ADA and building codes, pest control, servers\u2019 stations, lighting, space heaters and fans. A landscape budget is important as well so that the space looks planned and not like an afterthought. Even small things\u2014like heavy tablecloths and menus that won\u2019t blow away\u2014can add up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can only fit one row of tables, I might say \u2018Don\u2019t bother,\u2019 says restaurant designer Tim Trapp, president of Boulder, CO-based Trapp Associates. Because much of the fun of eating outdoors is the buzz and the social interaction, \u201ctwo rows of tables, staggered, is ideal,\u201d he says. \u201cOf course, if your setting is killer, and you only have space for a few tables, go for it.\u201d Also consider back-of-the house impact. Do you have the dishroom, kitchen, bar and storage capacity for the extra business?<\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t try to compete with nature.<\/strong> Have a great view from your patio or deck? Don\u2019t mess with it by over-decorating. If, on the other hand, there\u2019s nothing to see but asphalt and cars, go ahead and pull the focus inward by installing that water or fire feature. New designs in space heaters, such as tall fire columns provide both form and function. (And, if you have a fireplace or fire strips on tables, why not menu small sausages or marshmallows that guests can \u201ccook\u201d themselves?) \u201cDon\u2019t try to bring too much of the indoors out, but keep your brand in mind when making choices outdoors,\u201d says Trapp. \u201cYour customer outside is the same customer inside, so make sure you\u2019re giving them the same experience.\u201d His mantra for indoor design extends to the outdoors as well: Comfortable, sophisticated, inviting, relaxing, timeless.<\/p>\n

3. Put a lid on it.<\/strong> Even in ideal weather, it\u2019s sometimes good to have an \u201cemotional lid\u201d on an outdoor dining space, says Trapp. Umbrellas are okay, but if you don\u2019t have a roof-like structure, consider a retractable canopy or awning, a lighted trellis or strings of festoon lights overhead to create some relief from miles of uninterrupted sky. \u201cSoft, swaggy strings of light are inexpensive and incredibly effective,\u201d says Trapp, but choosing the right color temperature is crucial. Recent improvements in LED engineering have made have made it possible to get an energy-efficient option minus the harsh blue cast of earlier generations of LEDs. \u201cThere are great soft, amber light choices that are easy on the eyes,\u201d Trapp says. \u201cWarm light makes a world of difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Think about workflow.<\/strong> If your outdoor space is small, could those tables be forgotten as your servers get busy indoors? Make sure you have enough staff assigned and consider if a POS or server\u2019s station is necessary to maintain good service levels. If you\u2019re constructing a new restaurant or remodeling, Trapp advises building direct access to the kitchen so patio servers aren\u2019t traveling through dining rooms. Also, he suggests, plan your space so that outdoor dining is visible from the entrance. \u201cYou approach that hostess stand and you have to make a quick decision. First-time visitors might be reluctant to commit to sitting outside if they can\u2019t see what they\u2019re in for,\u201d says Trapp. \u201cAgain, disregard that if the view out the back is stellar.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. Seating considerations.<\/strong> Traditional four- and two-tops? Lounge arrangements? Bar-height tables and chairs? As you would when designing indoor space, ask who your customer is. Business diners? Couples? Big groups? Outdoor space gives you some ability to loosen up, as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cA community table can work better outdoors than inside because it\u2019s more relaxed,\u201d Trapp says. \u201cKeep community tables at bar-height, though, because it\u2019s more approachable.\u201d If you\u2019re thinking of a lounge space, ask first if your menu is conducive to it. Or build items into your menu that are lounge-friendly. Think little plates and items that don\u2019t need to be cut. Choose lounge furniture carefully and make sure it\u2019s conducive to eating and drinking. Deep, soft chairs and sofas look inviting, but they won\u2019t move liquor. Shallower, firmer seating ensures customers won\u2019t have to struggle up and out of their seats to reach their wine glass. Be careful with surfaces, too. Coffee tables with legs and open space for guests\u2019 feet\u2014as opposed to cube-shaped pieces\u2014make eating in a lounge area much more comfortable.<\/p>\n

If you’d like to explore financing options to build a new patio or renovate the one you have, apply now for a Working Capital Loan through ARF Financial.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"applynowbutton\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Get started now by clicking the link above and fill out the loan quote form on the right-hand side of the page.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Getting a quote does not obligate you to do anything. We’ll simply contact you so you can learn more about the loan process, and we’ll let you know how much you qualify for along with rate and term options to get your project started.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

OpenTable recently revealed its list of top restaurants for outdoor…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[128,690],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3750","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-day-to-day-business-operations","7":"category-restaurant-financing"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5 Tips to Create a Killer Outdoor Dining Space - ARF Financial<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/5-tips-to-create-a-killer-outdoor-dining-space\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Tips to Create a Killer Outdoor Dining Space - 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