Does your restaurant struggle to stand out from the crowd?
In a competitive marketplace, you need to stand out if you want to succeed. You could have the best food in the world, but if customers don’t like your style, they won’t stay or come back. But great chefs aren’t usually known for their interior design skills. It can be difficult to make the right design choice.
It doesn’t have to be though! Read on For these restaurant interior design ideas that will help your restaurant pack a punch.
Pick Your Style, Concept & Theme
If you’re getting started or need to do a full renovation then start building your idea first. A traditional Italian restaurant likely features design ideas with rustic walls. There will be white and red checkered tablecloths too.
In contrast to this, a Chinese restaurant concept would likely focus on minimalism. It would be a design that focused on simplicity and used exotic accents to transport guests.
Cafe designs have more variation, ranging from the french classic design to hipster. Some even go all out with a unique theme like from a movie, a cat cafe, or a cafe in a store or a repair shop.
There are so many themes and concepts you can choose from. The only limitation is your imagination. But make sure you know your restaurant concept, theme, and style to be before you start designing.
Draw the Customer in with Your Entrance
If foot traffic makes up your main customer base them you need to draw them in. You could have the most beautiful restaurant interior, but that won’t matter if no one sees it.
The best way to do this is to make your entrance stand out with a unique front door design. Make sure your door pops, by pairing it with these other entrance design ideas:
- A mural around the entranceway
- A beautiful sign with the name of the restaurant above the door
- A full glass door or large windows to give a sneak peek of the inside
- Using an unusual shape for your doorway (e.g a shell for seafood)
- Bold, classy colors to make you stand out from other units
- An outdoor cover with a variety of outdoor tables
Give people a reason to notice you and once they do, give them more reason to choose your restaurant. Chances are other restaurants will be nearby so the competition will be fierce. Also, you can prefer Stair Parts in your restaurant that make your interior attractive.
Choose a Color Scheme
Colors are important to interior design as they help inspire different emotions. This is something referred to as color psychology.
It’s not about marketing for restaurants to get customers to buy more. It’s more guiding them into experiencing your restaurant how to imagined people would.
The best colors for restaurant walls are:
- Red
- Green
- Brown
- Yellow
- Orange
- Blue
- Purple
This doesn’t mean using them all in one scheme. You want to pick one or two, combine it with some neutrals to make a cohesive scheme that fits your interior theme.
For fine dining, go with warm earthy tones like deep reds and browns. This gives a relaxing vibe, where they won’t feel rushed and can go through as many courses of food as they want.
If you’re opening a restaurant in a small space, then use whites and light colors. This will make the space look bigger, and make the most of the available light.
Focus on the Design Layout
How you set out your restaurant is a fundamental design concern, as you need to keep the space practical. You should make the most of the space, especially if you don’t have much space to work with.
For seating consider if you want a cozy space with tables closer together. If not, do you want something more spacious and minimalist, with tables farther apart?
Will you have a bar where you can have some extra seating? If so, are you keeping it simple or using restaurant bar stools as part of your design to make a statement.
Do you want an intimate, private atmosphere or are you going for bustling and communal? Will you accept large parties like birthdays and office get-togethers? Will a bar serve as your waiting area or will you have a separate one? Also, consider if you’re going to offer takeout services.
For example, a burger restaurant won’t have the same layout as somewhere with fine dining. This is because customers have different expectations. A burger joint is a more relaxed joint and will be more communal with booths and large tables.
With fine dining, people want privacy and to feel special, so you would have fewer tables that are apart. You might even want to consider separate private areas customers can hire. These are away from the main room, closed off from other diners for a more intimate experience.
Most coffee shops are expected to have a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. The space should be inviting while also giving customers enough room to focus on reading, working remotely, or having conversations with friends. Smaller tables and even a couch or nice chairs with adequate space between them will help create a warm and welcoming environment for guests. If you’re planning to open a coffee shop, research which furniture and essential items you will need to purchase. You can find various tools online, like Lightspeed’s resource, “Opening a Coffee Shop? Here is the Equipment List you Need.”
You want to design a space that is efficient and easy to move through. The flow should run smoothly as butter, so your staff can do their jobs well. You could even consider an open kitchen, so diners and see the food as it’s made.
The Look of Your Menu Should Reflect the Design
Your menu is an important feature of your restaurant design, it isn’t only a list of what you’re selling. It’s part of your identity, your brand, and what makes you special. It’s important to have a restaurant logo that reflects you.
Your menu should line up with your design and concept. If you’re using modern design, use current fonts that are bold and clean. If your design is more traditional then consider something more cursive. But it should be easy to read.
For fine dining, you wouldn’t use pictures. The description creates drama and mystery. If you’re offering fast food, then you would want to use pictures to get diners’ mouths watering. You should even use a similar color scheme to that of the restaurant.
Create a Vibe With Lighting
Lighting isn’t something you can throw in at the last minute, you should be thinking about it from the very start. Whether it’s in the form of a rooflight to enhance natural light or an intricate lighting design, your lighting can set the mood for the entire space in a way no other feature can.
If you’re looking for a volume of customers, consider red lighting. It has a similar vibe to red paint. This means it makes people feel hungrier and encourages them to eat faster.
If you want a more romantic vibe, then use candles. Not only do they distribute softer lighting, but they’re also a great design accessory. Smaller spaces might be better with softer lighting too for an intimate, relaxed feel.
Create a Delicious Aroma
The smell is an important sense in restaurant design, and you should make use of it. Use scented candles, as this can provide lighting and an alluring smell. But you won’t want anything too overpowering, it shouldn’t override the smell of the food.
Smelling cooking food when you walk right in could turn customers off. Make sure you’re using ventilation to keep the smells out of the dining area. If you’re running a cafe, the scent of freshly ground coffee is sure to draw people in though.
Add to the Vibe With Ambient Noise or Music
On the topic of senses, it’s not only about what customers see and smell. You should consider how you can attract customers with the sounds you use.
One tip if you’re playing music is to find a level that sets it in the background. It shouldn’t be too loud that it disturbs diners or makes it hard for them to have a conversation.
Another tip is to pick music and sounds that match your cuisine, theme, and concept. If you’re having a slow day, you could also try playing sounds of a busy restaurant outside.
It’ll get people’s attention, and they may decide to pop in for a bite. Our last tip is to play music in the bathroom too. This will help put people at ease, as it can be uncomfortable in dead quiet surroundings.
Think About Problem Areas
One of the most important tips for restaurant design is removing the problem areas. These are the places where people don’t like to sit, for example, in front of the front door or bathrooms. Or even the kitchen.
When designing your interior space, put yourself in your customers’ shoes. Test each table to see if anything bothers you. Do you have enough leg room? Are you protected from any drafts?
If you do notice any issues, try to fix them by rearranging your tables. You could even add a partition to section off problem areas so customers can’t see it.
This is good for bathrooms, for example. You don’t need a full wall, you could use a pretty divider with cutout patterns. This will obscure the view rather than block it completely.
Pick Out the Small Details
Every successful restaurant interior design will focus on the little details. These are what tie your concept, theme, and color scheme together. For example, here are some little touches to consider that go a long way:
- Hanging plants
- Modern furniture like bar stools or folding tables
- Built-in wall or window frame seating
- Back-to-back tables
- Built-in wall cabinets and shelving
These items work on smaller budgets and spaces, helping you get more with less. Another key decor piece for smaller pieces is mirrors. They will reflect natural and artificial light, helping make a space feel bigger.
Another fundamental piece of accessorizing your design is wall decor. A good tip is to invest in a local artist or two to support and get involved in your community. Here are some wall design ideas to consider:
- Hand-painted plates
- Wooden eating utensils
- Typography as wall decals
- Old photos of the local area and building
- Colorful neon signs (if the design supports it)
The type of decor will depend on your cuisine and your theme. For an Indian restaurant, for example, bring in Indian patterns, designs, and accessories.
Your aim should be to create an authentic slice of a country that wouldn’t look out of place if it was actually there. You don’t want to look like the cheap, dirty, knock-off version.
Don’t Neglect the Bathrooms
Don’t let your design focus only on the dining area, it should focus on any area your customers will visit. One place that often gets neglected is the bathroom, but it can be a make-or-break experience for customers.
Make sure your bathroom is always spotless. It should have a nice smell, be clean and be as well-decorated as the rest of the restaurant. So don’t neglect your bathroom design.
Think about adding some decorations; a nice mirror, candles, beautiful wallpaper. Complimentary soaps and hand creams will go a long way and create an extra touch of luxury.
Think About Customer Expectations
One other important tip to consider is to think about who your target audience is and what they expect from you. Your location will be an important factor as it’ll help guide your decor choices.
If you’re looking for a millennial market, experiment with a modern and funky design. If your audience wants a glass of wine while waiting for their table, then create a small bar for them to wait at also staircases one of the best choice for restaurant that make your interior more attractive.
Market research is a good idea, as you can canvas and ask your audience what they like. They can tell you what the must-haves are, and what they’d like as an extra touch. Once you know what your clients expect, you’ll know how you can blow those expectations out of the water.
Restaurant Interior Design Ideas That Will Make Your Restaurant Shine
So, there you have it! Now you know these restaurant interior design ideas you’ll be sure to wow your customers.
Make sure you do your market research and have a solid concept idea. Only when you know what type of restaurant you’ll be can you focus on design. Keep things practical, with a good flow, and don’t forget the small details as they go the extra mile.
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