A Short Guide On How To Decorate Your Restaurant

If you’re running a restaurant, then you know that success in your business is not just about the food you offer to your customers. Yes, Your is a big part of the equation for success, but the look and feel of your restaurant is also vital when it comes to your customers’ experience. Many people might not know about this, but customers don’t visit a restaurant for the food alone-- they also want to savor the experience-- and we all know that for a dining experience to be complete, all the senses: taste, sight, smell, touch, and sound, must be satisfied.

Your restaurant design and decor should attend to all of these factors to keep your customers come back for more. However, it isn’t as simple as you think it is. When designing your restaurant, customer appeal shouldn’t be your only goal-- you also have to consider production efficiency, such as allowing for optimal speed and flow of food getting served and how employees can move around with ease.

There are so many ideas out there for restaurant designs you might become confused as to how you should go about designing your place. Thus, Access Doors and Panels wrote this brief guide to help you in decorating your restaurant. Read on to learn more about them.

1. Capacity.

In any restaurant, capacity and seating both compose a balancing act. While it will depend on the type of restaurant you have, it is still necessary to decide whether you want your focus to create a pleasant atmosphere or maximize capacity. Whichever the case is, cramping your customers in a small space is a big no-no. Allowing enough elbow room for servers to be able to move quickly and patrons to have privacy is an essential aspect of any restaurant. Also, avoid putting up sitting areas in problematic places such as the front of the kitchen, the entrance, and in front of bathrooms.

2. Lighting.

In businesses and homes, people often overlook lighting. However, this isn’t exactly an appropriate move because light can make or break the space. With the right type of lighting, you will be able to improve the customers’ overall experience. More importantly, a storefront that has strategic illumination is the first thing that attracts people. If you use lights the right way, you can create a soothing ambiance that invites anyone and their family while enjoying a glass of the most exceptional red wine. Moreover, keep in mind that warm light brings warmth to your space, and cold lighting makes customers comfortable speaking louder.

3. Music and Sound.

Music may not be a part of any restaurant owner’s idea for their restaurant decoration. However, music is a factor that can either make your ambiance pleasant or can break up any sight of ambiance. We don’t know about you, but have you ever visited a restaurant with lousy music where it’s almost impossible to have a conversation? Nobody likes yelling over loud music just to hear each other. There are already several studies showing that soft background music makes employees happier and also improves the image of the establishment while also stimulating customers’ appetite.

4. Color Palette.

While offices use psychology to boost employees' productivity and efficiency, restaurants can also use the same. If you haven’t noticed, fast food places usually have the color red displayed. This is because red whets the appetite. If you want to create a friendly and optimistic atmosphere, opt for yellow and orange. Keep in mind as well that colors can also come in the form of beautiful plants and flowers. If you have a restaurant that has a concept of leaning more towards natural restaurant design, definitely opt for plants no matter what color scheme you have.

5. Décor.

Some people may think having a good restaurant would mean spending a lot of money. Fortunately, we’re here to tell you you don’t need to break the bank to make your restaurant unique and comfortable. The truth is, most diners prefer comfortable chairs over high-end design pieces. You have a lot of freedom in designing your restaurant, so be sure to stay on top of trends. For example, if you are running a 50’s themed restaurant, Formica tables and vinyl chairs are acceptable as restaurant decor. Moreover, when you’re designing your restaurant, always follow the golden rule that less is more. Customers still want a cleaner aesthetic rather than something over-decorated and gaudy.

6. Branding.

Whoever said that offices and large companies are the only ones that should practice marketing ideas? Your restaurant can also use a logo, color palette, or slogan strategically to create a unique look. Doing this will help customers recognize your business.

7. Menu Design.

Did you know that design strategies also apply to your menu and not only to your space? That’s right-- the way you strategically position the items in your menu will influence your customers' order.

8. Kitchen Layout.

The kitchen design sometimes isn't a significant factor when it comes to restaurant design since it is typically hidden from the public eye unless it’s an open-concept restaurant. However, the kitchen layout is actually an essential part of your restaurant design. Be sure to plan your kitchen so your kitchen staff will be able to move freely and quickly. You can’t have your restaurant turn into shambles, which can result in angry customers and late orders. So when you’re planning for your kitchen layout, always put the operation at the center of the room.

9. Ventilation, AC, and Heating.

This may not even be a part of your restaurant decor, but these are still indispensable to guarantee your customers' comfort. Keeping a pleasant temperature in your establishment and ensuring that strong smells and fumes from the kitchen won’t reach the dining space are important aspects.

10. Restrooms.

Note that your restaurant, no matter how nicely presented, should also carry out the same theme and decor in the bathrooms. Besides having a well-decorated restroom, you should also offer a range of soaps, hand lotions, and even perfumes, if possible. Fixtures should be up to date, and background music in the bathroom can also be a nice touch.

11. Entry and waiting area.

There will be times when customers will have to wait if they want your incredible food, and there are too many customers at the time being. That’s why it is important to provide a beautiful sitting area while giving your customers an estimate of the waiting time. You can even offer water or iced tea to your waiting customers to ensure they don't get too impatient or stressed.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the right decor and design for your restaurant should be the result of three factors: your customers’ taste and preferences, the efficiency of the needs of your staff, and your personality. Moreover, always keep in mind that trends continuously change, so you should also be ready to up your game when this happens. Try to make restaurant design and decoration a thoughtful reflection of what will work for your employees and what your customers will enjoy.

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