Managing an outdoor space takes some doing. Aside from the colourful, all-season décor you’ll want to ladle it with, there’s the primary consideration of sheltering guests from the wind and rain, no matter the weather. Both bars and restaurants will seem more attractive with a canopy of some sort to play with.
But where to start? There are various options to pursue, all of which offer a different spin on your terrace, patio or picnic table setup. Follow the Instashade team as we dissect what’s available to the savvy business owner…
Retractable canopies
For a generous, showcase cover to the immediate area by your backdoor – we’re thinking smoking areas, or casual drinking benches – then specialised canopies can roll out when you need them to. At the touch of a button, it’ll extend automatically, blanketing guests in the large shadow of smooth or corrugated cloth.
Get a model with a timber framework to ensure the awning doesn’t look fragile and hashed together. We won’t kid you, though: these are expensive accessories, but they are getting moderately cheaper as advancements in design work their magic.
Professional tents
For bar owners and restaurateurs after the plushest visual impression, it’s wise to consider tents and marquees that have been made for outdoor events. With some top-drawer entertainment filling it with light and energy, you’ll have a hub to last the night, perhaps for an entire weekend if you have a festival or theme running on.
A pagoda marquee is the fanciest choice in this regard. Leave the entrance free of messy zip linings, and aim for a tent that’s dotted with arched windows at the rear. Remember to tie it down extra tight if it’s on a rooftop; no-one wants to be surprised by a demolishing gust of wind!
Parasols for every occasion
You may have overlooked one crucial aspect of outdoor entertaining – parasols are well and truly at the top of their game, refined to the point where practically any bar, café or eatery can manipulate them. And we’re not talking about rusty, awkward, ponderous canopies either…
An example of heavy-duty, stylish shelters can be found in the Nova range, spreading a massive length of water-repellent material above chairs and tables. Your main dining areas are literally covered against harsh weather from the top down. It unfurls with a handle mechanism, protective against winds of up to 80 km/h.
Alternatively, the Eclipse parasol is a great element of terrace design. The side stand means that nothing intrudes beneath the canopy itself, refusing to get in the way of your furnishing arrangements. Its stabiliser bar, rotational attributes and anti-UV properties turn and twist with the sky above, giving your customers the right level of security when they require it, from all angles.
Few things are as precious as a modern outdoor terrace. When the bar and restaurant industries are this competitive, any bid for individuality should be commended, and we’re sure that some or all of these purchases will lift your venture’s pulling power. Browse our catalogue of commercial parasols to get started on the next, crucial phase of your makeover…
