Throughout the summer, Canadians continue to flock to restaurant patios, and creating an inviting outdoor dining space that helps you stand out could boost traffic and your bottom line. While you’ve likely had a full patio since the nicer weather arrived, offer your guests a fresh experience and attract a new crowd with a greener outdoor dining space.

There are a few simple steps you can take to give your patio a more natural feel and take a more environmentally friendly approach.

Greener aesthetics

You may not want to take on a large investment at this point in the season, but you can switch up your décor simply with some greenery and colour to give it a refresh with natural appeal for the rest of the summer. Adding fresh flowers to the tables keeps your décor seasonal, and planters and hanging baskets can help create a vibrant and appealing ambiance. When selecting flowers, choose varietals that bloom at different times for less maintenance and colour that lasts through the summer.

Think about functionality, too.  Large planters can add a more natural feel, while also creating privacy for guests. Avoid planting flowers that attract bees or other pests that can detract from the guest experience.

Some plants and flowers do double-duty, though, keeping pests away from your guests. Flowers like marigolds or lavender add colour and a fresh scent while deterring bugs and unwanted guests from visiting your patio.

RELATED: Protect your patio from pests this season

Green initiatives

Up your sustainability with a greener approach for your outdoor diners. Reduce your energy consumption with solar or LED lights along the pathways and throughout the space to create the atmosphere you’re looking for. When it comes time to replace or add any furniture, consider choosing reclaimed or recycled products and materials to help lessen the effect on the environment. You may also be able to switch to greener cleaning products as a step towards getting more environmentally friendly, as well as storing larger quantities and saving packaging for cleaning your restaurant – inside and out.

Make the most of the remaining patio season by adding a natural element to your patio with greenery or a pop of colour, as well as going greener with sustainable choices that can help your business and your bottom line.