New look, same great service: refreshing dining spaces in the off‑season

Prioritise high-impact maintenance across the customer journey

Whether you manage a beachside café, ski lodge or caravan park, the off-season is the right time to assess how your site performs – not just how it presents.

Start with a full walk-through from the customer’s perspective.

“Drive or walk into your business the way a customer would and ask yourself what am I seeing? What’s the first impression?” says Bunnings Business Development Manager, Steve Harry.

That first impression plays a direct role in review scores, perceived value and booking decisions.

External upgrades should be approached as opportunities to make operational improvements:

“We’re talking about line markings, mulch in your gardens and some green life to keep it nice and fresh,” Steve says. “Also look at the lighting – do people feel safe and can they get around easily? That’s really important to ensure the customer experience is the best it can be.”

These may sound like small maintenance upgrades but, in practice, these works deliver measurable outcomes:

• Line marking – supports safe traffic flow and pedestrian movement, reducing incident risk.
• Lighting upgrades – improve visibility, security and confidence for night-time arrivals and site movement.
• Grounds maintenance – assists with drainage control, site presentation and ongoing maintenance efficiency.

Internally, the same standard applies.

“Cleanliness can be the downfall of any review,” Steve says.

Lighting performance and visible wear in high-traffic areas can quickly impact perceived quality.

“Having good lighting inside is really important as well, to keep things looking bright and fresh,” he adds – while also supporting safe movement and consistent presentation across the venue.

The power of paint

In commercial environments, painting is a core part of maintenance planning – not just a cosmetic exercise.

Focus on protecting high-wear areas and extending asset life through targeted works.

“That doesn’t mean full broad wall painting,” Steve says. “It can just be touch-ups to areas like corners where people knock chairs and stools. It’s easy for the maintenance team to keep areas in good shape so it looks fresh every time you come into that venue.”

This approach helps reduce deterioration between major refurbishments and maintain presentation standards year-round.

When planning larger repainting works, specification should reflect how each space operates.

“Holiday parks, for example, generally have their corporate colours externally but in the cabins, you typically want to go light and bright,” Steve says. “Hotels often go for darker colours in gaming rooms but lighten it up around food and beverage areas.”

Be sure to prioritise the right finish according to how the space will be used. For example:

• durability in high-traffic areas
• cleanability in food and beverage environments
• light reflectance to support visibility and ambience.

The right products to get the job done

Product selection and application quality directly influence maintenance cycles and lifecycle cost.

For operational environments, prioritise systems designed for commercial use, including:

• durable, washable coatings
• low odour products to minimise operational disruption
• stain-blocking primers in areas exposed to grease, smoke or tannins.

“You don’t just need to think about the paint. You also need to invest properly in your brushes and rollers so you’re using the right product for the job and nothing cheap and nasty,” Steve says.

Correct preparation and application ensure coatings perform as specified and reduce the likelihood of early rework.

Extend site use and revenue with lighting and outdoor upgrades

Outdoor and shared spaces present a clear opportunity to increase utilisation – particularly outside daylight hours.

“Think about some festoon lighting or a small fire pit for outdoor venues,” Steve says.

When planned correctly, these upgrades are not purely aesthetic – they improve how and when a space can be used.

“Those elements are a really simple low-cost win – they give nighttime ambiance, so you get more use out of recreational spaces,” he adds.

Operationally, this can:

• increase dwell time in food and beverage areas
• support higher evening occupancy of outdoor spaces
• improve guest experience scores and repeat visitation.

Focus finishing works on performance and maintenance

Final detailing should support day-to-day operations, not just presentation.

“It often gets forgotten but a bit of green life really freshens things up indoors,” Steve says.

In a commercial setting, these choices should be practical:

• low-maintenance plants and materials suited to high-traffic environments
• placement that does not restrict movement or create safety risks
• features that complement lighting, visibility and usability.

Where finishing elements are well planned, they contribute to guest comfort and perception while remaining easy to maintain.

Ready to make some upgrades?

Talk to a Bunnings Trade Specialist about repainting systems that are suitable for your dining area. Also, confirm suitability, availability and quantities with Bunnings Trade before scheduling works to align with your operational timelines.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important off-season maintenance tasks for accommodation and tourism venues?

Focus on a full-site walk-through from the guest’s perspective, then prioritise safety, cleanliness and high-wear areas. Key tasks include upgrading lighting, maintaining carparks (including line marking), managing landscaping and completing a deep internal clean. These works help improve first impressions, reduce safety risk and support stronger guest reviews.

Why are line marking and lighting upgrades critical for tourism venues?

Line marking and lighting play a direct role in safety, visibility and ease of movement across a site. Clear markings improve vehicle and pedestrian flow, while well-planned lighting supports night-time navigation and guest confidence. Together, they strengthen first impressions and help reduce incident risk.

When should you repaint a commercial accommodation or dining space?

Repainting should be scheduled when high-traffic areas begin to show visible wear or damage. Start with targeted maintenance – such as touch-ups to corners, edges and surfaces exposed to impact – before planning a full repaint. This approach helps extend asset life and maintain consistent presentation between major refurbishments.

What paint systems are best for high-traffic commercial environments?

Commercial spaces require durable, washable coatings designed for frequent cleaning and ongoing use. Low odour paints help minimise operational disruption, while stain-blocking primers are important in areas exposed to grease, smoke or moisture, such as kitchens and gaming rooms. Correct application is critical to ensure long-term performance.

How can outdoor lighting and upgrades increase venue utilisation and revenue?

Outdoor lighting and structured upgrades can extend how and when a space is used. Well-lit outdoor areas support evening trade, increase dwell time and improve guest experience. Features such as functional lighting and defined outdoor zones help venues maximise use of available space, particularly outside peak daylight hours.