Hill Cross Furniture 
Winter is firmly behind us now and the UK is getting some sunnier days again. That’s why hospitality business owners need to start planning and purchasing for al fresco dining as soon as possible. Planning can involve zoning out the outdoor dining area, allowing for clearance and accounting for more decorative elements. However, that can’t act as a stand in for your essential furniture shopping.
This article will elaborate on the essentials of commercial outdoor furniture sets, so you can best understand what you need from dining chairs, tables and additional pieces.
Contract-grade outdoor dining chairs
No outdoor dining set is complete without high-quality chairs that offer the perfect combination of form and function. When it comes to style, there’s a variety of directions you can go in to suit your outdoor area’s overall aesthetic, but you cannot compromise on choosing seating made from weather-resistant materials.
Suitable materials include
- Recycled polypropylene
- Powder-coating aluminium
- Synthetic rope, such as ArtFibre®
- Indonesian Rattan (for covered spaces)
Base your design choices on things like the desired dwell time of your customers and chairs that will align with your tables. They should be sturdy, comfortable and stylish.
High-performance outdoor tables & bases
Outdoor dining design can often be undone by a lack of function, with wobbly tables being a common culprit. Yes, like chairs and tables, they have to be able to withstand British weather, but they also need to be stable and comfortable to eat a meal from.
NOROCK table bases are a great, self-levelling solution to this issue. Their mechanical systems ensure that all four feet of the table touch the ground simultaneously, without manual adjustment.
Flip-top and tilting bases are useful as well, as they allow for more space-efficient storage with potentially bulky tables.
Whether you choose rectangular, square or round outdoor dining tables, make sure to look for materials like galvanised metal and compact laminate for maximum resistance to rain, scratches and heat.
Additional outdoor dining area furniture
Beyond your primary tables and chairs, outdoor areas can also be populated with pieces designed for alternative dining or socialising experiences.
- Low lounge chairs surrounding outdoor coffee tables are perfect for guests looking for a more relaxed time.
- Outdoor stools make for a bar-height, drink-friendly seating area, ideal for pre-meal conversation.
- Bespoke banquette seating, with quick-dry foam and UV-resistant fabrics are perfect for creating a luxury lounge feel in outdoor settings.
Having this variety of options for your outdoor area gives you a better ability to serve different guest preferences, meaning you can maximise your potential custom.
Finding the right outdoor furniture
If you’re wondering where to find robust outdoor furniture for a café patio, look no further than Hill Cross Furniture. We have a massive range of contract furniture for indoor and outdoor hospitality settings, including dining tables, chairs and specialist items like banquette seating for all manner of venues.
Get in touch with us today to discover the perfect solutions for your business, and make sure to get any orders in early, as you don’t want to miss out on all that summer business.
