As hospitality environments continue to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, a new seating trend is influencing how guests gather, dine, and socialize. It’s called lounge dining. Combining the relaxed comfort of lounge furniture with the functionality of dining tables and chairs, these products are designed to heighten comfort, hoping to entice visitors to stay longer.
Hotels and hospitality venues looking to draw patrons to rooftops, gardens, decks, and patios are finding that furnishings play an important role. But unlike indoor furniture, these products must deal with sunlight exposure, changing weather conditions, and more wear and tear. Consequently, architects are looking for products made from weather-resistant textiles, high-performance fabrics, durable metal frames, and marine-grade finishes.
When durability and performance are combined with comfort and style, the furniture can encourage people to spend a little more time, lingering. From modular outdoor sofas and generously scaled lounge chairs to flexible sectional configurations, the following is a sampling of manufacturers responding to the growing interest in lounge dining.
