Creating a flexible floorplan that adapts to functions and seasons

Key Takeaways

• Think in zones, not rooms. Use lightweight furniture, movable planters, and decorative screens to create distinct zones for different experiences (e.g., a lounge area, a communal dining space) without building permanent walls.
• Invest in modular and lightweight furniture. Choose smaller, square tables that can be easily pushed together for large groups or separated for couples. Lightweight chairs and stackable stools are your best friend for quick resets.
• Lighting is your most powerful tool. Install dimmable, zoned lighting. The ability to dramatically change the brightness and focus of light in different areas can transform a bustling lunch spot into an intimate evening venue with the flick of a switch.
• Prioritise weatherproofing for seasonal adaptation. In the Australian climate, your outdoor space is a goldmine. Invest in high-quality retractable awnings, outdoor heaters, and fans to make your alfresco areas usable and profitable for more of the year.
• Multi-purpose your spaces. A quiet midweek dining area can become a private function space on the weekend. Plan for this by ensuring the area has some acoustic separation, independent lighting control, and access for AV equipment.

Introduction: The new economics of hospitality space

In the Australian hospitality scene of 2025, the old saying "a seat for every customer" no longer cuts it. Post-pandemic shifts in consumer behaviour have created a demand for more diverse experiences, from intimate private functions and corporate events to casual group catch-ups. A recent report from the Restaurant & Catering Association highlighted that function and event bookings are a key area of revenue growth for venues. At the same time, rising operational costs mean that every square metre of your venue needs to work harder than ever to justify its existence.

A rigid floorplan, with fixed booths and heavy, immovable furniture, is a liability in this new landscape. It locks you into a single service style and limits your ability to capitalise on lucrative group bookings or adapt to seasonal demands. The solution is a flexible, adaptable floorplan that can be quickly and easily reconfigured. This article is a practical guide for Australian venue owners and managers on the key principles and investments required to create a dynamic space that maximises revenue, enhances the customer experience, and future-proofs your business.

The foundation: Furniture that works for you

The bedrock of a flexible floorplan is furniture that can be moved, reconfigured, and repurposed with minimal effort. The goal is to break free from the one-size-fits-all layout.

• Table strategy: The era of the large, heavy communal table is being replaced by a more modular approach. Opt for a majority of smaller, two-person square tables (e.g., 700x700mm). These are incredibly versatile:
• They can stand alone for couples.
• Two can be pushed together to create a four-person setting.
• Multiple can be configured in long rows or large blocks for group functions.
• Lightweight and stackable seating: Heavy, oversized armchairs might look great, but they are incredibly impractical. Your primary seating should be lightweight, durable, and easily moved by one person. Having a stock of stackable stools is also a smart move, as they can be quickly deployed for extra seating during a busy service or a standing cocktail function.
• Consider furniture on castors: For heavier feature pieces like host stands or large planters, using high-quality, lockable castors gives you the ability to completely redefine the entrance and flow of your venue with ease.

Creating zones without building walls

Zoning is about creating distinct areas and moods within a single, open space. A flexible floorplan uses non-permanent elements to achieve this, allowing you to shrink, expand, or change these zones based on your booking sheet.

A realistic scenario: The awkward, empty dining room

You run a large pub bistro that is packed on Friday and Saturday nights, but the main dining room feels cavernous and empty on a quiet Tuesday lunch. This lack of atmosphere can be a real deterrent for diners, who perceive an empty room as an unpopular one.

The flexible solution:

Instead of leaving the whole room open, use clever zoning to "shrink" the space on quiet days.

• Movable planters: Use large, lightweight planters on castors to create a visual barrier, sectioning off the back half of the room. This makes the front section feel fuller and more intimate.
• Decorative screens: Tall, freestanding screens (made of timber, metal, or fabric) are a fantastic way to create semi-private nooks for small groups or to hide an empty section of the restaurant.
• Rugs and flooring: Use large, durable rugs to visually define a "lounge" area with soft seating, separating it from the main dining space.
  
  

On a busy night or for a large function, these elements can be easily moved aside to open up the entire floor.

Lighting: Your secret weapon for transformation

Lighting is the most powerful and cost-effective tool you have for changing the entire mood of your venue. A single space can feel bright and airy for a corporate lunch, and then transform into a moody, intimate cocktail bar in the evening. The key is zoned, dimmable control.

• Zone your circuits: When wiring your venue, ensure that different zones have their own lighting circuits and controls. This allows you to, for example, have the bar area brightly lit while the dining nooks are kept dim and atmospheric.
• Install high-quality dimmers: This is non-negotiable. The ability to precisely control the brightness of your lights is fundamental to creating ambience. Ensure your bulbs are all dimmer-compatible to avoid flickering.
• Use a mix of lighting types:
• Ambient lighting: General, overhead lighting that sets the base level of brightness (e.g., track lighting, downlights).
• Task lighting: Focused lights for specific areas, like pendants over the bar or spotlights on tables.
• Accent lighting: Decorative lights that create mood and visual interest, like wall sconces or lamps.
  
  

By adjusting the balance between these three types of lighting throughout the day and night, you can radically alter the feel of your space.

Weatherproofing for the Australian seasons

In Australia, a venue's outdoor space is a critical revenue-driver. A flexible design approach ensures you can maximise its use, regardless of the season. A recent consumer survey found that access to good outdoor seating was a major factor for diners when choosing a venue, especially in warmer months.

• Retractable awnings and roofs: A significant investment, but one with a massive ROI. A fully retractable roof can turn a winter courtyard into a summer beer garden, effectively giving you a whole new room for half the year. High-quality, wind-rated awnings offer a more cost-effective solution for providing sun and rain protection.
• Effective heating and cooling: Don't just rely on a few mushroom heaters. Integrated strip heaters are more effective and aesthetically pleasing. For summer, powerful, well-placed outdoor fans or misting systems can make a huge difference to diner comfort on a hot day.
• Wind barriers: Use movable glass screens or even heavy-duty canvas blinds to provide protection from uncomfortable winds, a common issue for venues in coastal cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

Case study: The Corner Post Hotel

"The Corner Post," a fictional pub in inner-city Sydney, had a traditional layout: a main bar, a separate, formal dining room, and a beer garden. The dining room was often empty midweek, and they were constantly turning away lucrative private function enquiries because they didn't have a dedicated space.

The transformation:

1. Furniture overhaul: They replaced the heavy, fixed tables in the dining room with smaller, modular square tables and lightweight chairs.
2. Zoning: They installed a beautiful set of floor-to-ceiling, bi-folding timber screens that could divide the dining room into two smaller, acoustically separate spaces.
3. Lighting: They put the lighting in the new, smaller spaces on separate, dimmable circuits.
4. Outdoor upgrade: They installed a retractable awning over half of the beer garden and added integrated strip heaters.
   
   

The results:

• Midweek: The screens are kept closed, creating a smaller, more intimate dining space that feels busier.
• Weekends: They can now book two small-to-medium private functions simultaneously in the separated dining room spaces, dramatically increasing their function revenue.
• All year round: The beer garden is now a profitable space even on cool or showery days, significantly boosting their overall capacity.
  
  

By investing in flexibility, they turned an underutilised dining room and a weather-dependent courtyard into consistent, year-round revenue streams.

Conclusion

Creating a flexible floorplan is no longer a design trend; it's a core business strategy for the modern Australian hospitality venue. By prioritising modular furniture, smart zoning, adaptable lighting, and all-weather outdoor spaces, you create a dynamic environment that can instantly respond to the needs of your customers and the demands of the market. This adaptability is the key to maximising the revenue potential of every square metre of your venue, ensuring you can thrive in any season and for any occasion.