Modern terrace design in hotel and restaurant industry

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In the recent years, restaurateurs have dedicated themselves to outdoor seating and outdoor cafes as it it a worthwhile additional business. Nowadays developments and innovations offer protection from rain, wind and cold, so that guest can enjoy the terrace for about two thirds of the years.

There are several things owners of culinary establishments need to consider when it comes to outdoor areas. The fees for using public spaces can differ from country to country and even from city to city. There are also recommended opening hours and optional curfews, regulations for noise prevention and guidelines about traffic, which is important if the outdoor seating is located on the pavement, for example. Chambers of commerce often offer a guide that businesses can use a template for their own arrangements.

First of all a licence is required before you can start to plan outdoor seating. If the space is public, such as the aforementioned pavement, additional permits are needed that have to renewed regularly. On private premises building and fire protection codes need to be considered. Furthermore food laws, youth protection and non-smoking laws also have to be taken into account. There are countless ways to arrange a terrace of culinary establishments in an appealing and cozy way. Systematically heating the area allows guests to stay outdoors even outside the warm spring and summer seasons.

When it comes to designing the terrace, restaurateurs and innkeepers are facing much less restrictions as long as certaing building standards are fulfilled. There are many possibilities to combine hospitality and functionality when designing the restaurant, there is virtually no limit to furniture, heating, lighting, flooring, plants and protection from weather.

Choosing the furniture

Seats and chairs made of rattan, basketwork, synthetic material or waterproof wood are an excellent choice. Aluminium chairs are also very popular due to their light weight and weather resistance. In any case the seats should match the rest of the furnishing in terms of colour and style. Otherwise the terrace gives an impression of a mere extension of seating area, instead of appearing like a harmonious overall concept. 

It is also important not to underestimate the value of high-quality material. Seats for patios and terraces are not only subjected to constant use, but also to harsh weather conditions. Especially if the premises do not have any possibility to safely store the seats and protect them from rain, chairs made of rattan, wicker and wood might not be the best choice. 

Another important aspect regarding seating are comfort and, for that matter, cushioning. Modern bars like to set up couches, sofas or other lounging furniture to create the most relaxing atmosphere possible. Nevertheless it is essential to also consider practicality. Cushions need to be removed during rain or at least be covered up.

Tables made of wood, metal, synthetic material or a combination of all have proven to be a good choice. Round folding tables are particularly popular, because the mechanism makes storage during winter much easier. Tables also have to be weatherproof and easy to clean. Nothing appals potential customers more than worn out, dirty tables.

Nowadays there are also different kinds of tables with integrated heating. That way, an infrared heater for example can create pleasant heat directly around the table. There are also heaters that actually function as a bar table. This allows owners to offer their guest convenience, appealing design and an outdoor lounge area at the same time

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Heating your terrace efficiently

Efficiently heating the entire complex allows owners to extend the season for sitting outside and to attract guests to stay on the terrace even if the weather is cold. There are several devices that are often used, in most cases they are operated either with gas or electricity. 

Gas heating and infrared heating both have their benefits. Whereas mobility and coverage speak in favour of gas heaters, heating with infrared has the advantage that surroundings are heated in a sustainable and even manner. Heating with gas however is much quicker and more effective. Only a couple of minutes need to pass until a patio heater is warming up its surroundings. A lot of gas is consumed, though, which is why patio heaters are often subject to criticism when it comes to power balance. They also pose a certain danger, since it operates on actual gas. Unprofessional handling can lead to the heater to fall over and cause a fire.

Many infrared heaters are powered by electricity. Generally, this might be more expensive than gas, but a considerably lower energy consumption makes up for this flaw. The balance can be improved even further if green electricity is used. The heat radiation does not simply heat up the circulating air, in fact, it heats up surfaces instead. Still the perceived temperature is slightly lower than the real temperature so that an increased radiation intensity is required. Infrared heaters also need to be handled professionally and must be mounted to walls and furniture with an appropriate safety distance.

Practicality and appealing design are aspects of infrared heaters that are beneficial in hotel and restaurant industry. For example, the terrace could be supplied with music by permanently installed infrared heaters that is equipped with loudspeakers. Portable heaters are just as mobile as gas-fuelled patio heaters, where guests can stay directly next to the heat source or even use the heaters as furniture if they have storage space.

Lighting is a powerful element that helps create the perfect atmosphere.