Going out for dinner is seen by the majority of consumers as a treat – something which happens every so often and allows them to really immerse themselves in the setting and atmosphere of a restaurant which combines fantastic food with great service to result in a memorable experience.
For the most part, a great restaurant atmosphere is built through the interior design of the space and the way its aesthetic and presentation lends itself to the cuisine and style of dining – for example, exuding luxury and elegance into a high-end restaurant with minimalist design and private dining spaces, or adding life to a family restaurant with plenty of colour and interactive features.
With that said, how can you use restaurant interior design to create a space which is both inviting and warm, and which instantly welcomes customers to enjoy a midweek or weekend treat?
1. Pay attention to the colours you use in your restaurant’s décor
Did you know that different colours play a very real role not only in setting the tone of a space but in impacting the experience – especially with regards to food and appetite? There’s a reason why fast food restaurants lean on red as an integral colour in their design, while high end restaurants favour darker colours and modern restaurants combine pure white backdrops with pops of orange and yellow. Red is a colour which stimulates hunger, while dark shades and blacks signify an intimate setting, and orange and yellow are feel-good colours which make people feel good.
Every colour you inject into your restaurant design has a role to play in customer psychology, so make sure you are using colour wisely to warm up the space.
2. Incorporate natural elements into the design
Indoor plants are on the rise both in commercial settings and in homes across the UK and beyond – with our love of natural elements and influences making us feel more relaxed and comfortable in a space. A few indoor plants and rustic materials throughout your restaurant design will instantly tone down the angular edges of a modern space and will add warmth effortlessly – not to mention, plants and natural elements compliment any setting so are an easy fix to an otherwise rather bland space.
3. Utilise lighting to set the mood
Lighting is one of the most important factors in any interior space, with restaurant’s in particular needing to strike the right balance between ensuring there is adequate lighting to make the restaurant floor functional and accessible, while also maintaining an intimacy and privacy for diners.
One of the easiest ways to overcome these juxtaposing needs is to contrast ceiling lights and drop chandeliers with candles or individual lights on each table – lighting the entire space to an extent, and then presenting each table with its own source of light to create a more private experience.
4. Choose furniture that is both comfortable and stylish
One of the easiest ways to instantly add warmth to your restaurant and make it seem more inviting is to select furniture which not only looks good but which also looks comfortable enough for people to sit back and relax into. As well as the standard dining tables and chairs, consider integrating a few booth seats into your restaurant for small groups, and where possible add a more informal area near the bar with sofa seats or comfortable full-backed bar stools. All of these additions will create the sense of your restaurant being fit for purpose regardless of diner needs and preferences.
5. Add unique touches to delight diners and make your restaurant stand out
Finally, once the foundations of your restaurant design are in place you need to integrate a few unique features and touches which will keep diners coming back time and time again. This could be a feature wall which invites selfies and photo opportunities; it could be the unique presentation of your bathrooms, or some picture-perfect cocktails on the menu. Whatever it is, the experience you offer to diners is what will drive repeat custom – so make sure that these features invite action and encourage diners and visitors to interact with your space and your brand.
The importance of interior design in your restaurant
The most popular restaurants are those which combine an accessible menu and good level of service, with a memorable and inviting atmosphere. When designing your own restaurant, the most important thing to keep in mind is the impact that every decision you make will have on your diners – be it colour, furniture, layout, and the additional features which will upgrade or impact their experience.