Many outdoor bistros have plastic seating, which is fine. But if you own or design for a more upscale establishment, you might want to consider rattan, or a synthetic version thereof. For your money, it’s a great investment. It also looks much better than plastic, and gives the impression that you’re willing to invest in attractive furniture to keep your customers happy.
There’s something about rattan that feels like home. Think about it: When you’re sitting in a rattan chair, don’t you remember sitting on your grandma’s porch (or someone’s grandma’s porch)? Chances are good that customers will also feel at home in cushiony rattan chairs. We tend to spend longer amounts of time over a meal when we’re comfortable and relaxed. Think of rattan as an invitation for your customers to sit down and stay a while.
I’ve included pictures of a particular chair that I find attractive. It looks like something you’d find on a home patio, which is a huge part of its charm. The surface is actually a synthetic weave that is resistant to all weather types, which is important in outdoor bistro chairs. Plus, it comes in two shades: dark and light. I’m a sucker for dark colors, but I know that not everyone likes them, especially in the summer months. If you want, you could get a set of these chairs in each shade and switch them out according to the season. Just a thought.
The chairs are also resistant to sea water, body lotion, and UV rays. That means that they’d be a good choice for outdoor pool areas or beach resorts, too. Yeah, I can imagine sitting in one of these babies while I sip a drink with a paper umbrella in it and watch the sun set over Bora Bora… but then, it doesn’t take much for me to imagine such things!
