Alfresco options have opened up since the pandemic, and many restaurants have kept this model to expand their current design. Some restaurants sometimes have a full alfresco design to enhance the dining experience. If you plan on adopting an alfresco style but don’t have a big budget, here are low budget outdoor restaurant design tips to try!
3 Steps in Deciding When to Have an Outdoor Dining Seating
1. Know the Regulations for Outdoor Seating
Before you decide to go for an alfresco option, some states or cities have regulations on what’s permitted for outdoor seating. Some allow outdoor seating on the street, especially when it’s closed at night or during the weekends or holidays. If outdoor seating is allowed on the street, ensure that you have portable or foldable chairs and tables you can store when indoor seating is only allowed during a certain period.
2. Survey the Whole Space
Some indoor dining spaces can have a dedicated alfresco dining area. However, some spaces can be smaller than others. For instance, you can only have an outdoor patio with two or three tables. Some dining spaces may have a garden space that can be dedicated to bigger parties or more customers in one lunch or dinner service. Once you have surveyed the whole area, check how many chairs and tables can fit into that outdoor space and buy the necessary furniture to spruce it up.
3. Make a List of Equipment and Other Considerations
Aside from tables and chairs, you need to consider equipment and other factors that will help you thrive or hinder your plans. For equipment, you might need a restaurant umbrella, especially if it rains a lot or it’s too sunny. Additionally, you might need an awning if your outdoor seating is attached to your indoor dining area. It would be good if it’s retractable so it could be protection from light rain. Plus, you can retract it if outdoor dining on a certain day isn’t permitted.
Outdoor Restaurant Design Tips
Let Wood Be Your Main Character
Wood is an eco-friendly and versatile material for your restaurant. It can be expensive, but wood like Pipe and Poplar is affordable. Still, it’s a worthwhile investment and will not ruin your overall design motif or theme.
You can use wooden materials to create an extension of your restaurant. These are the best to use as walls. Additionally, wood is an insulator, making your restaurant warm during chilly days or nights. Plus, it could cool your restaurant during the summer. Moreover, you can use wood for your tables and chairs! This way, you can stay consistent with the material in your alfresco model.
Use the Outdoor Dining Area as a Bar
If a dining area isn’t suitable outside, why not use it for your bar instead? A bar can take up space inside a small and intimate dining room. A bar can help you clear out the crowd as guests are waiting to be seated. If possible, add cocktail tables and chairs so customers can set their drinks on the table as they converse. You can be creative with furnishing. For instance, you can use an old barrel as a table.
Invest in Lighting to Set the Atmosphere
Your restaurant needs the right lighting, especially as the sun sets and at night. Natural lighting is what you’ll use for morning and afternoon service. However, for night lighting, you can use patio lights to brighten the space and make it even cozier. You can pair patio lights with small lamps per table.
Make it Cozy and Intimate
If you have a small outdoor space and want to use it for dining, create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. The best way to start with this is to decide on the seating. You can go two ways. First, you can have a long table for bigger parties. Or, you can have smaller tables for those on dates. After the seating is finalized, make sure to add decor like plants and flowers. Plus, make sure to add candle lights, too. However, a lamp is a much better alternative since candlelight poses a fire risk.
Use a Variety of Furniture
If you have an ample outdoor space, you can have the luxury of using various furniture to cater to different diners. For example, you can have a couch instead of a big table for big group of friends or families. In another spot, there could be a table for four to five people. You can also consider cocktail tables with stools, especially if there’s an outdoor bar.
Final Thoughts
A low budget outdoor restaurant design can be challenging but it’s certainly doable, especially with the right space and equipment. It can take some time, too, considering it’s a big adjustment, but you need to plan and partner with the right designers and contractors to make it possible. Let the experts at Spencil help you with that! Get started here.
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Katrina Pascual
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