Furnishing the outdoor areas of bars and restaurants: where to start?

At last we can enjoy a meal together outdoors!

As soon as temperatures climb above 20 degrees, there’s one thing we all look forward to: finding a little table in the sun – or beneath the stars – to enjoy a special bite to eat. This is even more of a must than ever after those long weeks of lockdown, and we really can’t wait to enjoy a spot of lunch in the warm breeze, an aperitif at sundown, dinner by starlight or accompanied by the lights of the city. In this season, many customers will be choosing how to arrange their outdoor areas with regard not only to distancing, but also furnishings for their gardens, terraces or little squares. Here we have a few useful tips on how to give your place a personal touch.

Make the most of space

First of all, study the space at your disposal to make the best of it. The worst enemy of alfresco dining is the weather, so it’s important to consider how to protect diners from the rain, wind or strong sun, choosing either fixed canopies or sunshades, umbrellas and gazebos. There are lots of solutions to choose from, some of them particularly eye-catching, such as sun umbrellas with LED lights built in, or sail-shaped sunshades. The aim is for customers to feel as comfortable outside as inside.

An extra place at the table

Tables must be stable and solid, yet light enough so they can be moved easily as necessary and in compliance with legal regulations; likewise, chairs must be comfortable. Metal is the material of the moment for tables and chairs, and it’s also very resistant and flexible. Another excellent choice are plastic seats – they can be found in all shapes and colours and are extremely easy to clean and sanitise, which is now more essential than ever.

Lighting creates the right atmosphere

If you have to furnish an outdoor area, it’s worth paying attention to the lights. Discreet yet dynamic lighting engages with the natural environment, warm tones with moderate intensity avoid an unpleasant glare so that all the charm of a starry night can be enjoyed to the full. On this subject, anti-reflective tablecloths and table covers are a smart choice to keep the sun’s reflections at bay. In an outdoor area, the use of candles never fails to create a special, romantic atmosphere. There are all sorts of ways they can be positioned on the tables, and larger lanterns can also be placed on the ground to mark off the limits of an outdoor terrace.

Distinctive, safe finishes

Bars and restaurants with an outdoor area can make the most of the space available by using movable structures: but how can this important resource be used?
Here are a few of our ideas:
However large or small, the outdoor area must be in complete harmony with the identity of the indoor part. It’s important to design a style using materials and colours able to engage and appeal to customers, but the area must be an extension of the character of the place as a whole. As well as style, there are also a number of functional aspects that have to be taken into account for a successful project. Ceramiche Coem offers a wide range of solutions for outdoor finishes, allowing customers to bring a personal touch to their premises and also offering a further advantage: GresX2 stoneware for outdoors, in a thickness of 2 cm, is ideal for creating even temporary outdoor areas, because it is free-standing and removable, and can be placed on top of feet; because it is fired at over 1200 degrees centigrade, it is also non-absorbent and low-maintenance, and is resistant to chemicals, so the surface will not be damaged by hygienising and sanitising procedures; in addition, it has excellent anti-slip properties (suitable for reducing architectural barriers pursuant to Ministerial Decree no. 236 of 14 June 1989).
GresX2 di Coem offers a variety of laying solutions: raised, on gravel or sand, on grass or glued to a concrete substrate. In addition to their individual characteristics, all the collections satisfy a number of basic requisites: they are impermeable, anti-slip and frost-proof, and are resistant to loads, the elements and sudden shifts in temperature, as well as mould and stains. Coem’s GresX2 porcelain stoneware teams undisputed style with exceptional technical performance. Thanks to Coem, you can obtain the ideal product for your outdoor area, choosing the collection best suited to the area where you welcome your guests, for example near fields or gardens or by the poolside. All the collections have a very natural, material mood, perfect for creating a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors: you can opt for an ancient stone effect, such as Massive Stone, or a more minimal design like Modica, or a particularly bright finish, such as the one in the Reverso collection.

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