Outdoor Restaurant Furniture Materials: A Buyer’s Guide

Designform Furnishings supplies commercial outdoor chairs and bar stools built for real patio duty: full-sun exposure, salt air, pool decks, rooftop bars and sidewalk cafes that stay set up year round. Every outdoor frame we sell is specified for commercial use, not residential patio furniture, and is tested to hold up to 400 lbs.

Materials that actually survive outside

The single biggest mistake operators make is buying indoor chairs with an outdoor-looking finish. Choose the frame material for the environment, not the look:

• Powder-coated aluminum — lightweight, rustproof, and the default for coastal and poolside patios. Easy for staff to stack and move at close.
• Marine-grade polymer and resin — UV-stabilized through the material, so color does not chip or flake. Ideal for high-abuse and unattended patios.
• Synthetic woven rattan over aluminum — resort and cabana looks with none of the moisture problems of natural rattan.
• Galvanized and e-coated steel — heavier and more wind-stable for windy rooftops and covered patios.
• Teak and acacia hardwood — warm, upscale, and serviceable when the property has a maintenance program in place.

Wind, weight and stacking

Rooftop and waterfront patios need mass. Aluminum is easy to handle but light enough to move in a gust, so many operators pair aluminum seating with heavier bolt-down or weighted table bases. Stackable outdoor chairs let staff clear and secure a patio quickly before a storm or at closing — most of our outdoor frames stack 4 to 8 high. See the full stackable seating range.

Seat heights for outdoor bars and rails

Outdoor patios usually mix dining height with a bar rail. Standard dining chairs sit at 18"; counter stools at 24–26"; bar stools at 29–30". Allow 24" of rail per seat so guests are not elbow to elbow. Browse bar stools and counter stools for the matching indoor pieces.

Outdoor cushions and upholstery

Specify solution-dyed acrylic or outdoor vinyl for any cushioned outdoor seating, with quick-dry reticulated foam and drainage grommets. Indoor fabrics, even at 100,000 double rubs, will mildew and fade outside. We can supply COM outdoor textiles on most cushioned frames.

Lead times and ordering

Standard outdoor production runs 14–20 weeks, with 8–10 week rush available on many frames. Our quick ship outdoor items ship in 2–3 business days from stock, which is how most operators handle a spring patio opening or a storm replacement. Minimum order is 4 pieces per item.

Who we supply

We sell wholesale to restaurants, hotels and resorts, country clubs and private clubs, breweries and wineries, shopping center food courts, senior living communities and the designers, purchasing firms and general contractors who buy for them. Commercial projects only.

Frequently asked

How do I get pricing on outdoor furniture? Contact your local sales rep or a project manager or administrator in our office and we will quote your list, including freight.

Can outdoor chairs be ganged? Yes, ganging hardware is available as a custom option on many frames.

Do you have stacking carts? We do not stock them, but they can be custom made on request.

Browse the range

See every outdoor chairs and stools we build in our outdoor chairs and stools category, or start from the full product line. For help narrowing a list for a specific project, contact your Designform rep.