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Cafés and coffee shops are on every corner, and they all have one job: to provide tasty coffee and an inviting atmosphere for any customer. So, it’s beneficial to know how to make your café stand apart from the competition.
One of the best ideas is to have a patio space for your guests. Not only does it provide more seating availability at your business, but it also can bring in more potential customers. So, here are a few tips on how to create a welcoming patio for your café.
Plan Out Seating Arrangements
Depending on how much space your café provides, create a comfortable seating space for your guests. If your layout shows off eye-catching décor as well as excellent customer service, people are more likely to want to sit at your café to enjoy their favorite coffee and snacks. So, look into what your outdoor area can offer.
It’s also good to know what kind of client comes to your establishment, so be sure to offer seating to as large of a crowd as possible. You can find just about any type of outdoor seating material—such a synthetic wood, teak, finished metal—all made from recycled or plastic composites. These types of patio pieces offer resilience against many different types of weather.
Create a Comfortable Environment
As you’re learning the different tips on creating a welcoming patio for your café, you need to know what kind of environment your café has. Whether it’s a bustling, energetic environment or relaxed and easy-going, you need a patio area to match your theme.
By doing so, you’re creating an environment everyone can relate to. Maintain professional quality but with an easy-going attitude. Go the extra mile by providing guests with umbrellas for shade or even mid-door buffer zones to maintain customer comfort. If your customers ever have questions or concerns, be receptive and inviting—they’ll feel appreciated and heard.
Cater To All Crowds
Customers who come into your café can come from many different walks of life. You need to provide a comfortable environment for everyone who wants a delicious cup of coffee—from hardworking college students to busy parents. Since they’ll get a strong first impression based on the exterior design of your shop, make sure it’s a positive one, and strive to make the interior equally welcoming.
Customers want to feel like they’re important and taken care of, so create a space that fills those desires. You’ll have everyone from typical morning workers grabbing their coffee before the first train to overworked nighttime crawlers who want to relax by eating a hot sandwich. Offering seating outdoors throughout the day gives everyone who is seeking comfort a chance to unwind.
Use Enticing Design
Using comfortable and inviting patio pieces is a big part of drawing in more customers. You can always have outdoor patio tables and chairs, but don’t be afraid to go the extra step. Use table cloths and decorative lighting to give it a more home-like feel.
Supply outdoor menus so customers can read them as they sit on the patio. A lovely patio environment gives your establishment an extra boost in class and intrigue for new customers. So, consider what you can do to provide the patio space customers are looking for.