Hospitality is gearing up for the busy end-of-year period – and now is the time to give your space a spring clean.

We spoke to IKEA for Business Interior Design Specialist Rachel McGrotty to find out her top tips for furniture picks, decorative flourishes and easy storage fixes to make your restaurant, café or bar operate smoother behind the scenes.

1. Create a cosy outdoor lounge

A sofa and coffee table set can create a coveted spot in your outdoor space and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Add vibrant outdoor rugs, privacy screens with lush greenery, and comfy textiles to enhance the space, mixing bold patterned cushions with throws to bring a cheerful, summery vibe.

“Bright and colourful cushions, throws and outdoor rugs are all cost-effective ways to make your space inviting and enjoyable for customers,” suggests McGrotty.

Cosy, bright and inviting: Make your space ready for those long summer afternoons. Image: IKEA.

2. Smart furniture for maximum guest comfort

Foldable furniture  (for example, IKEA’s SUNDSÖ range) is highly functional, making it a cost effective and popular choice for alfresco and indoor spaces alike.

“Smaller tables and chairs that can be folded away when not in use or joined together to accommodate larger groups means your space is always maximised for the number of customers you have,” McGrotty adds.

SUNDSÖ is a great example of a casual outdoor furniture range. Image: IKEA.

3. Set the mood with lighting and sound

Proper lighting is crucial for creating the right ambience. McGrotty recommends LED lighting chains, which are a modern, popular way to provide an affordable yet impactful glow outdoors.

Bonus tip: they can easily be moved about the space to emphasise different spaces.

Table lamps create an intimate experience indoors or out. Whether you’re going for a laidback beachy vibe, industrial chic or even country kitsch, they come in a broad range of affordable style options, making them a highly practical investment in both form and function.

Enhance your revamped lighting with subtle background music that amplifies the aesthetic you’re looking to project. Pro tip: combine sight and sound with LED lantern speakers.

Light up your space with lighting chains for those balmy evenings. Image: IKEA.

4. Pay attention to the little things

Decorative items such as tea lights, LED lanterns, pot plants, vases and artworks are simple ways to refresh your venue’s look.

Need some colour inspo? McGrotty says trending summer themes or colour palettes include cheerful muted pastels such as aqua, terracotta, gold and lavender.

“Refreshing textiles like cushions and plant pots can be more cost effective than repainting the whole space,” she says.

Plants, lights, cushions and cabinets can dress up an industrial space. Image: IKEA.

Tableware, cutlery and glassware can also be updated to refresh the look of your venue, while adding fresh flowers can also add a summery feel. Not up for replacing them daily? Realistic faux plants can do the job – just remember to give them a regular wash so the dust doesn’t give you away!

If your café or restaurant is popular with families, add a pop of colour with pencil pots, desk caddies and colouring paper and keep your youngest guests occupied.

5. Maximise space and flow with clever layout

In addition to aesthetic updates, improving space and storage can boost your restaurant’s efficiency.

“As well as foldable furniture, movable stations such as trolleys can help maximise space and flow,” McGrotty says.

“Carefully planning the table layout so that the waiters have a circular flow is also key to efficiency,” she adds.

Clever table layout and use of screens and plants can also help absorb noise and general bustle.

6. Don’t neglect back of house

While your guests are unlikely to see what goes on behind the scenes, it can certainly impact their overall experience, so ensure back-of-house is on your summer revamp to-do list.

“Keep your restaurant’s back-of-house area organised and clutter-free with open shelving and labelled boxes and containers so that everything is visible and has a specific place,” McGrotty suggests.

If design is not your strong suit, maximise your time and money by getting some assistance and carefully plotting out your purchases before spending a cent.

IKEA for Business can help with interior design and product selection services, with special discounts available to members of their free loyalty program, the IKEA Business Network.

Join the IKEA Business Network today

Join the IKEA Business Network, a free loyalty program giving you instant access to benefits, discounts and perks to create a better everyday life at work. Benefits include a free one-hour consultation with an interior designer, plus discounted interior design solutions. Join today.

This article is brought to you by Business Builders in partnership with IKEA for Business.

Feature image: IKEA