Outdoor Restaurant Design Trends for 2023

Outdoor spaces have an atmosphere that can just not be recreated indoors, and restaurant patrons love to enjoy a nice meal while taking in a view. However, the art of designing an outdoor dining space is not as easy as putting a few tables and chairs outside. As more and more restaurants implement outdoor seating options, you need to make sure your outdoor area is trendy enough to keep up with competitors and draw in new customers. 

We’ve identified some emerging outdoor restaurant design trends as well as some standard tips and tricks to follow when integrating these trends. 

Table of Contents:

• 12 Outdoor Restaurant Design Trends
• Benefits of Updating Your Restaurant Outdoor Space
• Tips for Spotting and Integrating Trends At Your Restaurant
• Explore Wabash Valley’s Furnishings Outdoor Restaurant Solutions

12 Outdoor Restaurant Design Trends

While great food and service are crucial elements of a successful restaurant, customers also look for a dining space with a great feel to it. Outdoor dining spaces are already a fan favorite of diners, but there are some ways you can elevate the outdoor restaurant experience. 

Explore a few trending options below and find one — or several — that aligns with your restaurant and customer demographics. 

1. Moody Atmospheres

One of the first things customers will notice about your restaurant is the feel of the space. Whether this is in person or through pictures online, these customers will start to develop opinions on your restaurant without even tasting the food. 

Patrons of all ages tend to enjoy moody, intimate spaces. Picture cozy fireplaces, intimate table settings and seclusion from the road or pedestrian traffic. This can be achieved by patios surrounded by trees or shrubbery to keep the space private or by patio coverings that clearly separate the space from the sidewalk or street. 

As for design, reds, browns and other earthy tones work well to create a moody vibe. Pair this color scheme with warm yellow lighting and flickering candles to emphasize the intimate feel of the space.

2. Minimalist Designs

Sometimes, less is more, and the same can be said for outdoor restaurant design. Minimalist design and decor create a chic and sophisticated look. Keep it simple — think natural colors and textures to create a light and airy space guests are sure to appreciate. Clean, simplistic lines and decor will make guests feel they are in a luxury space. Add a candle or two to the tables to add extra elegance. 

Other minimalist design tips include:

• Use simple, cohesive materials 
• Focus on functional furniture 
• Choose a focal point
• Use plants for natural decor

3. Accent Walls

Social media holds a lot of power to help break or make your restaurant. Patrons love places with an Instagram-worthy atmosphere. Accent walls are a fun way to brighten up your space, make a statement and share some of your company’s personality with guests. 

Accent walls are also great for your restaurant design and for your marketing efforts. As your guests see your beautiful accent wall, they’ll want to take a picture of it or use it as a backdrop for a selfie. They’ll likely share these photos online and tag your restaurant, giving you free word-of-mouth advertising. When other people see pictures of your beautiful space, they’ll be intrigued to check out your restaurant for themselves. 

4. All-Weather Patios

Outdoor patios are great in the summer, but what if the joy and refreshing experience of dining outdoors could last all year? You may be surprised at just how many people prefer to sit on a patio, even in the middle of winter. Thanks to space heaters and permanent or removable patio covers, your guests can comfortably enjoy your outdoor space regardless of the forecast.

If you can’t or don’t want to keep your patio open all year, at the very least, ensure guests can enjoy outdoor dining every day during the warmer months. If your outdoor dining is only open for a limited amount of time, you’ll want to make the most of it. This means providing patio umbrellas for every table or building a patio cover to protect guests and employees from intense sun or rain.

5. Plant Focused Decor

Plants can take an average patio to a luxurious, serene space. Your patio is outside, so play up those nature elements by incorporating live plants to really set the tone. For city-based restaurants, your patio can be an escape into nature without ever having to leave the bustling city life. Plants can also make a small patio feel intimate rather than cramped. 

Not all restaurants will have a beautiful view to accompany their patio. Luckily, you can make your own view by creating a green oasis with various plants. Use a mixture of hanging plants and potted plants to bring the beauty of nature to your outdoor dining space. Utilize commercial outdoor planters in your restaurant layout to combine your plants with your other decor. Choose from a variety of planter colors and styles to keep your outdoor restaurant design cohesive.

6. Mix and Match Design Styles

Despite popular opinion, there is no true right or wrong way to decorate or design a space. If you can’t choose between a few design styles — don’t. Mix and match your favorite pieces to create a truly unique atmosphere that will get your guests talking. Create an ambiance so unique patrons can’t get the same feel anywhere else. 

Play around with different design styles and see what you can come up with. You may even be surprised at how well some styles mesh together, like modern and rustic designs. 

When trying to mix and match design styles, keep the following in mind:

• Pick a color scheme: Following a color scheme will help your decor feel cohesive, even if the styles are different. A good rule of thumb is to choose two neutral base colors and two accent colors.
• Balance your styles: Having too much of one style can make your other design style seem out of place. By balancing how much of each style you use, your overall design will seem cohesive and intentional. 
• Find a design motif: Choose a pattern or shape to repeatedly use throughout the design. This will make all of the pieces seem unified. For example, choose pieces with delicate line work or try to find furniture and decor with similar curved silhouettes.

7. Dome Dining

Dome dining gives patrons a unique, personalized experience. Patrons ultimately dine alone with their party, separated from other guests. This gives added privacy and intimacy to the experience. Each party receives its own pod or dome that encloses them inside. These domes are clear and made of either glass or plastic, so guests can still see their surroundings while enjoying private conversation outdoors.

Domes are ideal for giving guests privacy as well as providing outdoor dining regardless of the weather. The dome will completely protect guests and their meals from rain, wind or snow. Additionally, since domes are fully enclosed, space heaters can be added to keep parties warm while they dine during colder months or chilly evenings. 

Domes come in a variety of sizes, with some fitting only two guests to others accommodating up to 10 guests. The smaller domes are great for making your restaurant a desired date night spot because of the exclusive and intimate experience they provide. 

8. Decorative Lighting

Nothing sets the mood like lighting. With the right lighting, you can create a romantic date night spot or an energetic and lively happy hour spot. String lights are a popular way to incorporate decorative lighting because of their low cost and easy installation. String lights can come in a variety of colors, hues, shapes and sizes. 

Choose warm-colored string lights to create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. For more lively events, like live music nights or a DJ performance, add color-changing lights to add some extra fun. Some lights can even be programmed to synchronize with the beat of the music. 

If you’re looking to really elevate your lighting, you can hang decorative light pendants from your patio covering or roof. Candles — real or fake — make great lighting additions and centerpieces for tables. 

9. Interactive Features

Family-friendly restaurants, as well as restaurants that attract a young-adult crowd, can benefit from adding interactive elements like outdoor games. Bocce and corn hole are great options to add to your patio if space allows. With games available, your patio will feel energetic and fun — patrons may even stick around a little longer to play another round of their favorite game.

Other interactive elements include sand or faux grass. Faux grass can add some greenery to the space, which can be especially appealing to city-based restaurants. Sand is a bit messier, but for tropical-themed restaurants, this decorative touch can create a truly immersive experience. 

10. Metal Accents

Metal accents, from lighting pendants to metal tables, have popped up in restaurants across the country. Specifically, the industrial design style has proven to do well in the restaurant industry. Find ways to incorporate metal in your doors, tables, chairs, lighting or decor. Pair brass or gold metals with warm colors and chrome and silver metals with cooler color schemes. 

It’s ideal to have metal furniture not only for aesthetic value but also for its durability. Compared to fabric or wood-based furniture, metal furniture can hold up against weather elements very well with little maintenance requirements. 

Go full industrial by choosing dining sets made of faux wood pieces and metal frames. At Wabash Valley Furnishings, recycled plastic is used to give the appearance of wood without the high maintenance real wood furniture demands. When paired with a metal-like frame, you can have a beautiful industrial dining set with great durability. 

11. Comfortable Seating

Comfort is key when it comes to choosing restaurant furniture. Regardless of how beautiful a space is or how delicious the food is, if patrons can not comfortably enjoy their time at a restaurant, it will negatively impact their overall experience. 

How someone defines comfort can vary from person to person, so it’s best to have a variety of seating options available to appeal to different patrons. Include a mix of classic dining chairs and bar stools, plus relaxing outdoor benches to have an option for everyone. If your outdoor space will be open year-round, remember to choose easy-to-maintain furniture durable enough to handle the changing seasons.

12. Emphasis on Surrounding Views

If your outdoor seating restaurant is lucky enough to have stunning views, use this to your advantage when designing your patio space. Arrange your furniture layout to give guests the best views of the surrounding scenery. Consider adding seating that directly faces the views and a mixture of dining table heights so guests further away from the view can sit at high-top tables and see over the lower set tables. 

Additionally, restaurants with amazing views should avoid too much statement decor as it can distract from the beautiful views. Choose furnishings and decor that complement the view rather than clash with it.

Benefits of Updating Your Restaurants Outdoor Space

There are a lot of benefits that come with a well-designed outdoor dining space. From increased cash flow to additional space for fun events, outdoor dining is a great addition to any restaurant. Investing in a quality outdoor dining area is a smart move for restaurant owners. 

Increased Seating Capacity

Adding an outdoor dining space or updating your current outdoor setup lets you increase seating capacity. Of course, the more people you can seat, the more revenue you create. Additionally, with added seating options, customers can feel more in control of their dining experience as they can choose to sit either inside or outside. They can also feel free to bring larger groups of friends or loved ones to enjoy a meal together, knowing your facility has different options and plenty of space to accommodate their party.

Outdoor dining areas also allow for shorter wait times since there are more seating options available. Long wait times can sometimes lead to impatient or upset customers, but when you have plenty of seating options, you can minimize a potentially negative customer experience. 

Multiple Dining Experiences

Outdoor dining areas let you provide even more unique experiences for guests. While your indoor dining cannot accommodate dogs, your outdoor space can. Couples may bring their dog for a fun happy hour, or families may bring the family pet to join them for a fun celebration dinner. However, just because you have outdoor seating does not mean you’re required to allow pets, so take your time considering if this is something you would like to offer. If it is, consider setting up a small dog-friendly area with water bowls and shade for hot days.

Other dining experiences include live music or shows, like local comedians or open mic nights. Indoor seating can be available for guests who do not want to participate and would prefer a traditional, quiet meal, while the outdoor space can host these special events. Hosting events is a great way to bring in new customers who typically do not dine with you. If you host weekly or monthly events, you can start to see a regular event crowd.

Increased Revenue Streams

As a business owner or manager, you already know the importance of multiple revenue streams. Outdoor dining areas are one of the best ways to increase revenue at your restaurant. With the added space, you’ll be able to host private events such as birthday parties, work events or engagement celebrations without having to close the entire restaurant. You can rent out the patio or outdoor dining space while keeping the indoor dining area open to other customers. 

Tips for Spotting and Integrating Trends At Your Restaurant 

New trends are always emerging, so it can be challenging to know which trends are here to stay and which are worth implementing. By watching your competitors, researching on social media, listening to your customer’s feedback and staying true to your brand, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions on furniture and trends you should integrate. 

Watch Your Competitors

Just like any other business aspect, you’ll want to pay attention to what your competitors are doing — or not doing — with their outdoor dining area. Seeing what works for your competitors can give you an idea of what guests are looking for in a commercial dining space. 

Taking a close look at your competitors’ outdoor setup can also show you missed opportunities you can capitalize on. For example, if you notice your competitors do not have fireplaces included in their outdoor space, you can use fireplaces or fire pits to set your outdoor dining apart from the rest. This same idea can apply to design choices, including furnishings. Take a peek at your competitor’s reviews — do any of them mention uncomfortable outdoor seeing or seating areas without shade? Capitalize on what your competitors lack.

If several competitors have the same type of style, you can choose something different to make your dining space unique, such as a local art installation or interesting decor.

Browse Social Media

Social media is full of great ideas, so use this free tool to your advantage. See what is popular online and take inspiration from other restaurants. You can also see how people react to certain design choices by reading the comments section. Social media makes it really easy to get first-hand and real-time feedback from your target audience. 

By browsing social media, you can also find new trends or design ideas you may not have considered before. Try websites like Pinterest for inspiration, or search relevant hashtags on image-based platforms like Instagram.

Listen to Feedback from Patrons

The best way to create a space that your patrons love is to ask them directly for their ideas and feedback. Whether you directly chat with customers when they’re at the restaurant, administer a survey or read your online reviews, getting customer input is crucial. After all, everything you do is to ensure they have a great experience, so the best way to do that is to get their thoughts and opinions from them. 

Most customers are more than happy to provide feedback. Plus, when you show you’ve listened to feedback by implementing their ideas, it can build a great relationship between your restaurant and your customers because they feel heard and valued.

Find Trends That Align With Your Brand

Just because a trend is popular does not mean it’s something you should integrate into your restaurant. Remember your restaurant’s identity and your customer base. Implementing a trend that does not align with your brand can confuse your patrons, and the new additions can feel out of place. 

You should try a new design or add new decor because it adds value to your restaurant — not just because it’s a trend. When you stay true to your brand’s identity, any trends you implement will remain valuable even as trends change. 

If you really want to explore a trend and aren’t sure if it fits with your current brand, style or customer base, do so with temporary and removable solutions, like peel-and-stick wallpaper or wall art.

Explore Wabash Valley’s Furnishings Outdoor Restaurant Solutions

When you’re ready to implement trending designs, make sure you do so with high-quality, durable furniture from Wabash Valley. Our ADA-accessible furniture is stylish and functional — perfect for all of your outdoor seating needs. Our experienced team is ready to help you find the site amenities and furnishings you need to upgrade your outdoor restaurant layout and design. 

With several outdoor furniture solutions available, you can easily bulk-order everything you need to efficiently and effectively update your outdoor space. Start reaping all the benefits of a trendy outdoor dining space and shop Wabash Valley’s outdoor dining products today!