Which Material Is Best For Outside Cafe Furniture?

Whether it’s a cafe, bistro, or bar, when the sun’s shining customers want to sit outdoors and enjoy it.

Tips for outside furniture

If you have some space outside then it makes sense to create an area where customers can sit with a drink and food. Not only does this help to increase revenue with more covers, but it also draws attention to your cafe or bar, and an attractive outdoor terrace will attract passing business too.

Having the right outdoor furniture is particularly important especially with the harsh Australian climate, which leads into the tricky question of which material is the best for outdoor use?

To give you a better idea, we’ve put together the advantages of the 4 main materials: wood, metal, rattan, and plastic.

Wooden furniture for outdoors

Typically associated with urban cafes that are known for their wooden benches and tables, wood is a rustic, versatile, and attractive choice. The downside of wooden furniture is the maintenance required to keep it looking in good condition. Fading, cracking, and rotting is common in areas that experience extremities of hot and rainy conditions, which is why we tend to encourage our customers to consider wood effect furniture instead.

Metal furniture and seating

Out of all types of cafe furniture, metal is probably one of the most popular choices. Metal chairs and tables are adept at withstanding hot summers and prolonged wet weather. Stainless steel and aluminium are also very strong, durable, and light enough to move around with ease, so they can be easily rearranged by your staff or your customers. They can also be stored away conveniently for the winter months and won’t take up too much space.

Plastic furniture for commercial use

Made from a type of plastic resin called polypropylene this sort of furniture is completely weather resistant and durable. It comes in a wide range of styles and colours, so you can really let your imagination flow and create an outdoor dining space that’s unique to your cafe. Best of all, the only maintenance required is a quick wipeover with a damp cloth.

Plastic chairs were often regarded as cheap alternatives but with newly improved materials and a vast range of innovative styles, they’ve taken outdoor dining to new levels. Since plastic furniture is typically less expensive than other types, it could be a good choice if your budget is low.

Rattan furniture

Rattan furniture was traditionally made from palms woven together but nowadays the tendency is for rattan furniture to be made from plastic or nylon rattan, often with steel frames that have been finished to look like cane. Just as charming in appearance as traditional rattan, modern day rattan furniture is both durable, weather resistant, and easy to maintain.

If you’re looking for outdoor cafe furniture then at Cafe Chairs Melbourne we have a wide range to choose from. Why not browse our online store or visit our showroom for inspiration.

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