Smart & Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality Trends

Outdoor space in your establishment is no longer a niche, nice-to-have amenity. It is a profound strategy that generates buzz and drives reservations, with guests nearly 50% more likely to book if the property has a functional, developed outdoor space. Today’s hospitality guests are more experience-centric than amenity-centric, meaning they are influenced most by how your property made them feel while visiting. That positive perception is directly tied to dwell time, spend on site, and returning customers. These outdoor trends, from retractable awnings to custom covers, are designed to add to your bottom line. 

Smart Automation

Smart automation helps hospitality properties create outdoor spaces that remain comfortable, functional, and inviting throughout the day. Motorized shade systems can reduce harsh sunlight and glare, maintain more comfortable temperatures, and protect furniture from sun damage. They also provide additional protection from insects and airborne debris, helping to create a vacation-worthy atmosphere. Motorized screens with push-button controls and programmable timers allow staff to effortlessly adapt the environment to changing conditions. Retractable awnings and pergolas offer even greater flexibility, allowing seamless transition across coastal weather patterns, and specific guest needs.

Sustainable Materials

Thoughtful material selections can extend the life of an outdoor space while reducing its environmental impact. Durable, recycled fabrics may require less frequent replacement and bring warmth, texture, and long-lasting performance to hospitality settings. Low maintenance native plants provide a polished, high-end finish while requiring fewer resources to thrive. Gardenscaping is a modern, popular trend which uses greenery and living elements to define pathways, guide movement, and encourage guests to explore. These landscaped moments add visual interest and create natural photo opportunities that make the property more memorable and shareable.

Upcycled Inventory

Creating a more elevated outdoor experience does not always require starting over. Existing awnings and pergolas can be recovered with new fabric, refreshing the appearance while extending the value of the original structure. The same principle applies to custom covers for outdoor furniture, equipment, and service stations. Adding custom curtains or quick-drying fabric to private cabanas, and other resort-inspired accents can add privacy and high-end sophistication without requiring a complete renovation. Simply enhancing the entrance to the outdoor area draws attention, sparks curiosity, and encourages guests to step outside.

Purposeful Zones

The most successful spaces give guests a clear sense of how each area can be enjoyed. Purposeful zones for cooking, dining, lounging, entertaining, or fitness make the environment more intuitive and are more likely to encourage regular use. Curated architectural elements supplement the space while reducing the amount of lawn and ongoing landscape maintenance. Defined layouts also allow properties to accommodate intimate gatherings, larger events, and other guest needs. When each zone has its own character and function, the entire outdoor area becomes more engaging; offering distinctive backdrops for guest photos, and positive exposure for the brand.

The Main Takeaway

Whether you have a cozy outdoor terrace, a sprawling poolside lounge, or are starting completely from scratch; your property’s outdoor space has tremendous high-margin profit potential. However, making the right investments are paramount to its success. Choosing motorized or retractable elements provide the most flexibility during changing seasons. Using sustainable, living materials makes the environment more inviting. Recovering your existing patio pieces breathes new life into underperforming spaces. And thoughtfully designing the area by zones inspires guests to explore, and most importantly, visit again. 

Discover Your Patio's Potential Today

Wondering what your return on investment could be with an upgrade? Run the numbers for free with our ROI Calculator. Provide a few details about your property and in less than a minute we’ll recommend the smartest upgrade for your outdoor space and reveal your patio’s profit potential. Coastal Canvas Products has been making custom shade structures for the Southeast coast since 1975. Serving Savannah, Charleston, Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, St. Simons, and the communities in between.

Request a free estimate or call us today at (912) 236-2416.