Top Tips on Getting Ready for Spring!
Now that Christmas and New Year are a distant memory, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your commercial venue for the Spring season. Whether you run a bar, restaurant, hotel, café or events space, a refresh for the warmer weather is a must if you want to attract the right customers. Here are our top tips for getting your business ready for Spring:
1. Spring Clean Inside and Out
Make the most of quieter periods by giving your establishment a deep clean. Go beyond everyday dusting and concentrate on breathing new life into carpets, curtains, walls, and windows. Move all your furniture out of the way so you can shampoo, or steam clean the floors and get to those awkward places that are usually out of reach. Give your windows a good clean inside and out – you want to embrace the longer days and let in as much natural light as possible. It’s also worth washing or dry cleaning your curtains and maybe replacing them with something lighter for the Spring and Summer.
It's a good time to be ruthless – get rid of or repurpose anything you don’t use. You want to maximise the space you have, so try to declutter where possible – it’s worth investing in storage solutions such as multi-functional furniture with hidden drawers or units that can fit into unused corners.
You might not have used it much over the Winter, but don’t neglect your outside space. During the warmer months, it can be really lucrative, as customers want to make the most of the longer days by enjoying time outdoors. Give your plants a once-over, removing anything that’s seen better days, trimming back trees and hedges, mowing any areas of grass or giving the deck or patio a jet wash. And take the time to wash down your outdoor furniture too – you can find expert tips on how to care for both your indoor and outdoor furniture on our care and maintenance page.
2. Refresh Your Interior Decor
Whilst you’ve moved your furniture for a spring clean, it’s a good time to check if walls, skirting boards or window frames need a lick of paint. You could consider introducing a spring-inspired colour palette of creams, blues and greens. But this doesn’t have to come in paint form – try seasonal accents such as vases of flowers, greenery or feature lighting. Maybe it’s just changing some of the artwork on the walls? Support local artists and showcase work which your customers are able to purchase.
Most businesses do not have budget to replace all their furniture – and unless you're planning a complete refurb, there’s really no need. But there are a couple of things you can do to ring the changes for the new season:
• Create zones: Just by moving furniture around, you can give your interiors a new lease of life. Think about creating different zones that give customers a choice of seating and table height, and make sure you’re catering for people on their own as well as large groups. How about adding comfort with armchairs or lounge chairs? The more relaxed your guests are, the longer they’ll stay! Or if you’ve got the room, how about a sofa? Check out our Soft Seating service.
• Add Colour: Bring the outside in this Spring; by connecting your indoor and outdoor spaces, you’ll create a more cohesive look and feel that customers can enjoy. Add seasonal colour with plants and flowers or change up your soft furnishings such as cushions and tablecloths for a lighter and brighter look. Commercial furniture can also add pops of colour – our best-selling Tavo range of chairs and stools comes in a variety of vintage-inspired shades, or explore our new collection of event furniture from Flexfurn, which includes chairs and tables with interchangeable seat pads or table tops, making it easy to switch up the look of your venue.
Shown here: Ronda Stacking Side Chair with interchangeable seat pads
3. Transform Your Outside Space
If you’re not already harnessing the versatility of your outside space, now is the time! Whether you’ve got a garden, a patio, a pool area or simply some space on the pavement outside, making the most of it will delight guests and ultimately increase revenue. Here are our expert tips:
• Consider the Weather: Although the constitution of the British public means they want to sit outside as soon as the days start to get longer, we all know that the weather can be unpredictable during the Spring. Keep your outdoor space usable whatever the weather by investing in commercial parasols that are not only water and wind proof but will also protect from strong sun during the Summer season. They are also available with optional lighting and heating technology. Or you could simply provide blankets for your guests to use if it starts to get a bit chilly.
• Extend your Table Service: According to a survey by HGEM, 79% of respondents said they would increase their dwell time if table service was made available outside. And 53% of the 18-25 demographic said they would be more inclined to dine outside if they could communicate with serving staff via an app on their smartphone.
If you’re going to be offering outside dining, then make sure your tables are up to the job. Have you seen our range of FLAT Table Bases and Equalisers that are suitable for outdoor use and will eliminate wobbly tables thanks to their groundbreaking self-stabilising technology?
• Embrace Versatility: At Eclipse Furniture, many of the products we offer are suitable for use both inside and outdoors, for example, our new Palm Collection would add vintage-inspired elegance to any outside area, but during the Winter would look equally as stylish in a conservatory or more relaxed dining area. For more ideas on how to choose the right outdoor furniture, including flexible options and material choices, take a look at our recent blog: How to Select the Best Outdoor Pub Furniture.
If you’re keen to give your outside space a makeover, but are struggling with budget, it’s worth exploring our clearance section, which includes lots of commercial outdoor furniture – even big brand names like Siesta Exclusive.
Shown here: Paris Armchairs by
Siesta Exclusive
4. Give People a Reason to Visit!
Once you’ve given the interior and exterior of your venue a Spring clean and seasonal refresh, you’ll need to give potential customers a reason to come and take advantage of all your hard work. Here are a few ideas of how you can attract more guests in the coming months:
• Be Inclusive: To enable all your future guests to enjoy your venue, make sure you’ve considered the needs of disabled customers and those with young children. Take a look at our new highchairs and also our award-winning ‘Winer Diner’ commercial picnic table, whose innovative design features space to seat guests in wheelchairs or buggies at the table.
Also consider our four-legged friends! Many people like to bring their dogs with them and will actively seek out dog-friendly places.
• Offer a Seasonal Menu: Customers are savvier about what they eat and drink, so invest some time into offering a Spring menu. Locally sourced ingredients show a commitment to environmental awareness, and a use of seasonal products will not only taste better but be more sustainable.
• Hold Events: Hospitality venues are the first choice for many people wishing to hold an event or throw a party. Whether a wedding reception, birthday party, or pub quiz, make sure your customers are aware that you have the space and ability to host these occasions. Explore our versatile range of commercial furniture for Events & Functions, which allow you the flexibility to cater for all eventualities.
• Make the Most of Marketing: The general public won’t know about all your seasonal changes unless you tell them! Make sure you update your website to include new imagery, menus and opening hours. Harness the power of social media, and post regularly, particularly into local groups, about what’s on offer this Spring. And use your outside space to advertise – a beautifully designed chalk board with seasonal messaging will capture the imagination of passers-by.
2025 is looking bright for the hospitality industry. According to an article by Eposnow, there are lots of opportunities to be had, as long as you’re willing to adapt to what customers are looking for.
Get in Touch…
We thrive on helping businesses like yours create inspirational spaces. If you’re interested in finding out more about our stylish and versatile contract furniture, and interior services, please don’t hesitate to call one of our friendly sales advisors on 01452 336 520 or email sales@eclipsefurniture.co.uk.
