No matter what kind of restaurant you own, you could probably benefit from outdoor seating or outdoor dining. This might require the construction of a new patio area where you can place tables or benches for seating. Discover a few ideas you may want to discuss with your concrete contractor.

Make the Concrete Decorative

A plain gray slab isn't the most attractive option for a restaurant. Fortunately, your concrete contractor has options for creating a beautiful outdoor area that goes with the theme of your restaurant and the architecture of your building.

One option to consider is concrete stamping. With this, the contractor stamps designs in the slab before the concrete dries and hardens. This makes your patio look like it's made from brick, flagstone, or tiles.

Make the Patio Easy to Clean

Concrete is fairly easy to keep clean, but since it is porous, it can soak up water and stains. To make your concrete repel water and stains, the contractor can seal the slab once it's complete. You can choose the type of seal coat you want. Some have a high gloss that makes the patio shiny, while others are invisible but still provide protection that makes your patio easy to clean.

Add a Sitting Wall

A sitting wall along the edges of the patio provides sitting room for several people. Plus, people of all sizes can sit on the wall comfortably since there are no arms that limit the width of the seats. Having the seats built in also saves you from moving furniture around or having chairs ruined by rain and sun exposure.

If you plan to use your outdoor patio as a waiting area for your guests rather than dining, then having the seats made of concrete is a good choice since concrete requires little care.

Build a Matching Fireplace

You may also want to talk to your concrete contractor about building a fireplace along one side of your patio. A fireplace would also offer an interesting view from the windows in your restaurant. In addition, the fireplace adds some warmth to people waiting outdoors on a cool evening, and it adds a romantic atmosphere for those dining outside.

The first step in building an outdoor space is to check with local codes and learn the process you need to go through. There will be regulations to follow if you plan to serve meals outside, have live performances, or have a fireplace.

The preparation phase may be the longest, but once it's complete and the patio is designed, your concrete contractor can begin work and bring your plans to life.