The Aesthetic Value of Furniture in Hospitality

nardi chairs in cafe

Updating your outdoor furniture is extremely important, especially when running a business within the hospitality industry. A strong economy, rising global consumer purchase power and digital innovation have all contributed towards the hospitality industry’s record growth in the last few years.

What is the servicescape?

The servicescape is the environment in which a service is provided and there is customer interaction. Servicescape furniture should be designed to appeal to customers pleasure and arousal states as well as facilitate operational ease and efficiency. There are four roles in the servicescape that we’ll be examining offering strategic reasons as to why you should update your outdoor furniture. These include:

  1. Package
  2. Differentiator
  3. Facilitator
  4. Socialiser

italian inspired nardi furniture at a cafe

In order to shape the success of your own business in the future, you should be updating your servicescape furniture sooner rather than later. Why?

  • Firstly, remaining relevant and fiercely competitive in the marketplace will keep your business top-of-mind and successful (Package).
  • Secondly, the hospitality industry has potential in social media allowing greater awareness for ‘trendy’ businesses to be shared (Differentiator).
  • Thirdly, physical settings influence the customer’s ultimate satisfaction with the service flow, design and functionality (Facilitator).
  • Lastly, furnishing and updating your service area will help facilitate whether customers feel comfortable in socialising and staying longer (Socialiser).

outdoor table setting with nardi furniture

  1. PACKAGE || Updating furniture in hospitality creates an impressionable package

The first role in the servicescape is the package. This is when outdoor furniture settings and the overall layout of a business creates a split-second impression to outward-looking customers. For example, this could be potential or new customers walking past a café whose first impression of your business is the look and design. First impressions are mostly created by the furniture layout, design, lighting, music and mood.

Take a look at how the Cantilever Umbrella is styled at the Providore on Hastings café in Noosa. It’s a practical, yet aesthetic that creates ambience customers love! View it here

nardi furniture oceanside restaurant view

  1. DIFFERENTIATOR || Updating furniture in hospitality will help differentiate your business from competitors

The second role in the servicescape is the differentiator. This is often where a business can separate themselves from the market using unique furniture to offer a competitive advantage. That’s right! Outdoor furniture has the power to build your brand in the minds of customers, as well as establish your market position. Colours, design and feel will determine the value imposed on the customer whilst dining at your business.

Take a look at how the Cave Bianche Hotel have styled all white Nardi chairs by their poolside bar here

nardi furniture and table setting

  1. FACILITATOR || Updating furniture in hospitality will facilitate service flow and movement within your business

The third role in the servicescape is the facilitator. With over 20 years of industry experience, you can trust the team at Daydream Leisure Furniture to recommend a design that enhances the flow of activity in your business. We know that a well-designed, practical service area will make the experience for the customer a pleasant one. Say goodbye to cramped dining and hello to comfortable, functional settings.

nardi furniture at rooftop bar

  1. SOCIALISOR || Updating furniture in hospitality will increase your customers need to socialise

The last role in the servicescape is the socialiser. A business that oozes comfort will keep your customers staying longer as well as coming back. The range of outdoor settings that we stock at Daydream Leisure Furniture is not only stylish but extremely comfortable. If customers are encouraged to interact and stay longer, your business will continuously look busy and attract more people. Furthermore, this also increases the opportunity to upsell your products (e.g. more coffee, dessert, drinks, snacks bought).

nardi furniture at resort

 There is no better time than now to update your outdoor furniture, especially if you’re running a business in the hospitality industry. Staying top-of-mind and competitive, as well as increasing the perceived comfort, value and satisfaction of your business will help you reach further success.

 If you would like any styling tips or advice on new furniture fit-outs, feel free to contact the professional team at Daydream Leisure Furniture today. We are the outdoor living specialists who can help bring life back to your hospitality business.

 

DIY: How to Properly Clean your Outdoor Rug

DIY: How to Properly Clean your Outdoor Rug | Daydream Leisure Furniture

With spring here and the summer holidays quickly creeping up on us, there’s no surprise that outdoor areas become the most utilised space. We certainly believe there is no better time than now to begin freshening up your entertainment area and ensuring you are prepared for the upcoming festive season!

An accessory that most people tend to avoid is cleaning their outdoor rug. Outdoor rugs are the perfect transitional piece to transform a functional space into a comfortable living area. Most outdoor rugs are synthetic, so they’re mould and mildew resistant, yet the accumulation of dirt and grime cannot be prevented. Seeing as we’re the outdoor furniture experts, we thought we’d share our top tips for cleaning your outdoor rug.

  1. Know the fabric

The material of the rug will certainly determine how you approach cleaning it. The common types of materials are:

  • Acrylic
  • Bamboo
  • Nylon
  • Polyester
  • Polypropylene

Whilst these rugs are more durable and robust, each material has its positives and negatives that you should research. If you are unfamiliar with the type of material your rug is, feel free to contact us and we can assist you in the right direction.

  1. Clean off surface dirt

Once you’ve done your research, use a soft brush to sweep off any debris on your rug. Make sure you vacuum any of the remaining dirt and surrounding floor area. If possible, try shaking your rug to help remove any excess.

  1. Spot clean if necessary

Any liquid stains that are fresh should be blotted to prevent the stain from seeping deeper into the rug fibres. Using a butter knife to carefully lift any dry debris and vacuuming it after is also very handy!

  1. Soapy Water

Using a big bucket, pour about 1 tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid for every 3 ½ litres of water. Clear soap will stop the colours from transferring onto your rug!

  1. Begin the deep clean

Lying your rug down on an elevated driveway or any clean surface will help with the wash away. Begin hosing down the rug and use a soft brush to start scrubbing! Use your own intuition to decide whether the entire rug needs to be cleaned or just certain areas. Rinse the rug again and either lay it in the sun or hang it over a fence to dry.

Pro tip** Trial the soap and scrubbing brush in one corner of the rug to see how it takes to it. Proceed the clean if there are no damages visible. Discontinue the clean and consult a professional if issues arise.

That’s it! Depending on the size of the rug, this process can take about 30 minutes to one hour to clean. There’s no better feeling than revitalising your favourite rug and saving some $$$ in the process.

We’d like to remind our lovely readers that this process will present better results if your rug has been cared for throughout the year. If you’re unsure of what we’re talking about here are a few more tips.

  • Blot spills immediately after an accident with a white cloth
  • Avoid harsh chemicals, as it can cause fading
  • Store your rug in a dry area when the outdoor entertaining season is over
  • Allow your rug to dry completely from moisture before vacuuming
  • Vacuum and shake regularly

If you’re looking for a new rug to make your outdoor entertainment setting more inviting, then give the team at Daydream Leisure Furniture a call. We have a large variety of outdoor rugs to suit everyone’s needs and we can give you the best advice on which rug is best suited for you!