Put a Table Outside and They'll Come In

Walk down any street and you make dozens of small decisions without noticing. Is that café open? Is it busy? Does it look like my kind of place? Often the answer comes from what's on the pavement, not what's on the menu.

A few tables outside the door do a surprising amount of work. They tell passers-by you're open before they've read a sign. They show the place has life in it, and people are drawn to places where other people already are. Even empty, a well-set table with a menu holder and a cushion on the chair says "come and sit down" more clearly than any banner.

Outdoor seating also widens your audience. Dog walkers, families with buggies, and anyone who simply wants to watch the world go by will stop for a coffee they might otherwise have walked past.

In an Irish climate, the details matter. Choose sturdy furniture that won't blow away, and consider a canopy, windbreaks or outdoor heaters to stretch the season. Planters can define the space, add greenery and keep the footpath clear for pedestrians. Good lighting turns a daytime terrace into an evening one.

Above all, keep it tidy. A wobbly table with yesterday's cups on it sends exactly the opposite message.

If you plan to use the public footpath, check with your local council first, as a licence is usually needed.

Thinking about making more of your frontage? We'd be happy to help you plan it.

Pictured: outdoor seating at PÓG, Bachelors Walk, Dublin, an Inside Up project.