Outdoor Commercial Furniture
As the weather starts to warm up, hospitality venues should be making sure that their outside spaces are ready to welcome guests for al fresco dining and socialising. But with so much outdoor furniture on the market – where do you start, and what do the chairs and tables you choose say about your business?
In 2026, the industry is shifting toward ‘longevity as sustainability,’ focusing on commercial outdoor furniture that will stand up to service for a decade or more, rather than products that are ‘style over substance,’ and need replacing every couple of years.
Considerations When Choosing Commercial Outdoor Furniture
Material and Climate Suitability: The ‘best; material depends entirely on your specific environment. Is the furniture seasonal, being stored away during colder months, or do you want it to stay outside all year round? Choosing materials that can cope with the British weather, are resistant to water, and won’t fade in the sunlight, is a must. If leaving furniture outside, you’ll want chairs and tables that are on the heavier side to avoid being blown about in windy conditions.
Operational Efficiency: Furniture that looks great but is a nightmare for your staff will cost you money in labour. Are the chairs and tables you’ve chosen easy to keep clean and maintain? If you don't have a dedicated team, avoid high-maintenance woods like Acacia or Teak unless you are okay with them turning silver-grey.
Comfort and Dwell Time: In the hospitality world, comfort = revenue. The longer a guest sits comfortably, the more likely they are to order another round of drinks or dessert. Metal furniture in direct sun can become literally untouchable. If your patio lacks shade, wooden furniture offers seating that stays cool to the touch.
Strength and Safety: Commercial furniture must meet stricter safety standards than home furniture. Sturdy, well-made outdoor furniture will last for years if correctly maintained. Consider having a variety of seating styles and heights to accommodate guests’ different preferences and mobility.
The Burford Collection
Our popular Burford Collection features classic furniture crafted from solid Acacia wood with an attractive oiled finish. The range of chairs, tables, table tops, and dining sets will bring the natural warmth and beauty of solid wood to any outdoor dining area, conservatory, or patio.
Designed for style and comfort, the Burford Collection is strong, durable, and great value. If maintained correctly the furniture will last for years, making it a great long-term investment.
What is Acacia Wood?
Acacia is a heavy-duty hardwood that has become a staple in the commercial furniture industry. It comes from the Acacia genus, which includes over 1,000 species of shrubs and trees, native to tropical and subtropical regions, predominantly Australia, Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia and the Americas.
Acacia is highly favoured in commercial manufacturing because it is fast-growing. It can grow up to 30 feet in just five years, making it a highly renewable and eco-friendly resource compared to slow-growing hardwoods like Oak or Teak.
Why is Acacia Good for Commercial Outdoor Furniture?
Acacia is naturally built for the outdoors due to its adaptations to harsh climates.
• Density & Hardness: It is remarkably hard, making it resistant to the scratches, dents, and impacts typical in high-traffic commercial settings like restaurant patios or pub gardens.
• Natural Oils: The wood contains high levels of natural oils that act as a built-in defence against water, rot, decay, and pests such as insects and termites.
• Aesthetics: Acacia features a rich, warm glow, with a unique grain pattern that gives commercial spaces a warm, organic look.
What's in the Range?
The main furniture in the Burford Collection consists of a Side Chair, an Armchair, and Dining Tables in three shapes: square, round, and rectangular. You’ll need to assemble the furniture when it gets to you, or take advantage of our installation service, but it’s easy to put together and is engineered to be strong and sturdy.
The furniture has classic good looks, with a stylish slatted design. The tables feature a built down edge and central parasol hole. All furniture has a refined, oiled finish which is smooth to the touch.
Dining Packages
We’ve created complete dining sets with our Burford furniture, meaning you can spend less time choosing chairs and tables, and more time entertaining guests. Ready for your patio or garden, the sets are available with a square, round, or rectangular table and a choice of side chairs or armchairs.
Table Tops and Complete Tables
If you want to add Burford style to existing table bases, you can choose from our new range of slatted table tops. Crafted from the same beautiful Acacia wood as the rest of the collection, the square and rectangular tops feature rounded corners and an attractive oiled finish.
We’ve also got a range of complete tables, pairing Burford Table Tops with durable, powder-coated steel Bison Bases. You can find them in dining, mid, and bar-height.
For information on the full collection, download the Burford product sheet.
Caring For and Maintaining Burford Furniture
As with all commercial furniture, it will need regular care and maintenance to keep it looking good, and the warranty valid. Because of the nature of Acacia wood, Burford furniture will go grey and lose its warm colour if left outside and not regularly oiled. To keep acacia furniture in like-new condition, simply follow these maintenance steps:
• Cleaning: (Monthly) Wipe with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Avoid harsh chemicals, ammonia, or silicone-based cleaners, which can dry out the wood.
• Oiling: (1-2 x per Year) Apply linseed or teak oil. This feeds the wood, maintains its rich colour, and prevents it from becoming brittle.
• Sanding: (As Needed) If the surface becomes rough or stained, lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper before reapplying oil.
• Winterising: (Seasonally) If possible, store indoors during extreme winters. If left outside, use breathable waterproof covers to prevent moisture buildup and mould.
For care and maintenance advice for all types of commercial furniture, check out our useful guide.
Must-Have Accessories
To complement the Burford furniture, we’d recommend finishing the look with a parasol to keep your guests protected from the elements. And don’t forget a weighted parasol base to keep everything safe and secure. Explore our range of parasols, bases, and accessories.
If you need something a bit bigger, then we offer tailor-made ‘jumbrellas.’ These large-scale commercial parasols could be a valuable investment for your business, increasing your outdoor seating capacity especially during peak season. Both functional and stylish, the parasols are designed and tested for rigorous commercial use. They can cover up to 38m2 and withstand wind speeds of up to 60km/h.
Want to Find Out More?
For more information about the Burford Collection or on any of our products, or to book a visit to our showroom to see our great range of outdoor for yourself, give us a ring on 01452 336 520 or email sales@eclipsefurniture.co.uk. We can arrange a complimentary consultation to help you choose the perfect commercial furniture for your venue.
FAQs
What is the difference between commercial-grade and residential wooden furniture?
Commercial-grade furniture is specifically engineered to withstand high-traffic environments where it may be used by hundreds of people daily. Unlike residential pieces, commercial wooden furniture features more robust joinery, thicker timber sections, and industrial-strength fixings. It is also built to meet strict safety and weight-loading standards to ensure guest safety.
Can I leave commercial wooden furniture outside all year round?
Yes, high-quality hardwoods like those in the Burford Collection can remain outside year-round, provided they are properly maintained. To maximise their lifespan, we recommend using breathable, waterproof covers during the winter months to prevent moisture buildup and mould. However, you should never use non-breathable plastic or PVC covers, as these can cause the wood to sweat and lead to rot.
How often does commercial acacia wood furniture need to be oiled?
To maintain its rich amber colour and structural integrity, acacia wood should typically be oiled once or twice a year. Ideally, this should be done in the Spring before the peak season begins and again in the Autumn before winter storage. Regular oiling with teak or linseed oil feeds the wood, preventing it from becoming brittle and cracking under the harsh UV rays of the summer sun.
