Choosing the right outdoor furniture for a property
Many restaurants and hotels have customers who like to spend their free time outdoors to enjoy the pleasant weather. Hence the commercial properties have an outdoor area which they also use for holding events like parties, get-together’s and meetings. Since most people get tired after standing for some time, the property owner will have to arrange for chairs and other commercial outdoor furniture for the outdoor space. Some of the considerations while purchasing outdoor furniture for the first time or adding to the existing furniture for the property are discussed below.
Furniture type
Depending on the size of the outdoor space, and purpose for which it will be used the property owner can chose from different types of furniture like
- Arm chair
- Side chair
- Dining chair
- Basic stool
- Bar stool
- Bench
- Dining table
- Picnic table
- Poseur table
Furniture selection
The furniture is selected based on how the outdoor space is being used. For a restaurant the outdoor space will be mainly used for dining, so usually dining chairs and tables will be used. If there is an outdoor bar, bar stools will be used. If meetings, conferences or similar events are held in the outdoor space side chairs or arm chairs may required in larger numbers. Some properties allow customers to have picnics outdoors, and for these applications picnic table sets which include benches for seating are preferred. Stack-able chairs are preferred so that space is not wasted for storage
Material
One of the main considerations while purchasing the outdoor furniture is the material of the furniture since the furniture will be exposed to sunlight and some rainfall. Usually most of the furniture has a metal frame for strength. Aluminum is often used in the furniture since it is light in weight and does not corrode. Steel is also used, and it is powder coated to reduce corrosion. If wood or other materials like rattan are used for the furniture, they are treated so that they will last for a longer time period. Plastic and resin is also used since it is water proof, can be easily dried, light in weight and affordably priced. It is also easier to clean the plastic, it does not get stained.
Size
Another factor which the furniture buyer should consider is the size of the furniture. Usually the size of the chairs are fixed, and the buyer should ensure that the chairs are large enough to accommodate bigger sized customers, especially for chairs with armrests . Usually the seller will specify the width, height and depth of the chairs, with most chairs 54 cm wide. Tables are usually available in different sizes and shapes, with square, rectangular, round and oval shapes being the most popular shapes. The cost of the table will depend on the size of the table, with larger tables costing more for the same design.
Design
The furniture buyer will usually choose the furniture design to match the decor of the commercial property. Usually restaurants will prefer to purchasing dining table sets with matching chairs, for greater convenience and lower cost.
