Along with the food, it is also the interior design of a restaurant that impacts its popularity. There are many factors that go into making the restaurant stand out with its interior design. The amount of detailing and decision-making that goes into creating impressive interiors for a restaurant can feel overwhelming. But with this breakdown of factors to consider you will ease into these decisions and in no time you will be standing in your dream restaurant.
Restaurants are the essence of any good outing for everyone. People are passionate about food and it encourages bonding among friends, families, and even professional colleagues.
Even before the food, or the menu, it is the interior design of the restaurant that creates the first impression in people’s minds. The theme of a restaurant is a key aspect of the footfall in the restaurant. The interiors and the cuisine go hand in hand while creating this theme.
There are a lot of décor and design ideas that restaurant owners now consider because every restaurant wants something different. But the common factors in all these ideas are ‘hospitality’ and ‘service’. Hotels are built on a larger scale than a restaurant, Restaurants are usually based on a particular cuisine and hotels encapsulate the full service of serving clients.
These are the ten factors you need to consider before finalising the designs for the interiors of your restaurant:
1. The Brand Promise
Before we get to the drawing board, the founders need to define the brand promise. This represents the public perception of the restaurant and it needs to be delivered at every stage of experiencing the restaurant.
This can help interior designers understand the objectives they must consider when designing the space. It creates an emotional connection between the visitors and the space.
2. Layout of the space available for the restaurant
The layout of the restaurant is fundamental to deciding the arrangement and seating.
- What is the seating capacity of the restaurant?
- How many tables will the restaurant need to achieve this capacity?
- What kind of seating furniture is needed?
- What is the privacy that each table affords to the diners?
The answer to all these questions depends on the layout of the restaurant.
Besides seating decisions, the layout of the restaurant also gives the overall view of:
- how and where everything within the restaurant should be placed
- the colours that will match the feel of the space
- What furniture is feasible and will look good in the restaurant space
- How the furniture and other elements compliment the walls of the structure
Interior design companies that specialise in restaurant design can help to make optimum use of the space in the given layout.
3. Lighting – to set the mood inside the restaurant
Lighting is very important in a restaurant setup. People should be able to see the food as well as each other on their table.
While designing the lighting interior designers aim to create
- An overall well-lit space and
- Visual cues which revolve around the theme.
Using a combination of lights the desired mood of the restaurant can be achieved.
- Warm lights give out much cosier vibes.
- Chandeliers can make the place more elegant
- Modern light fixtures give it a contemporary touch.
Understanding these characteristics of different kinds of lights will help in getting the combination right without overspending on the lighting.
4. The Entrance Exterior
The exterior design of the restaurant is what catches the eye first. It creates an impression about the restaurant even before the visitor has set food in it. Naturally, the entrance has to be attractive.
Interior designers focus on two aspects while designing the exteriors for restaurants –
- The entrance of the place should be grand and vibrant.
- It has to have large signage with the name of the restaurant.
- It should be an opening for the theme of the restaurant.
While grand and attractive exteriors are a must for attracting customers to the restaurant, they must also communicate the restaurant theme to first-time visitors.
5. Texture design – for the floor and walls
Experimenting with textures is the new trend in restaurant interiors. Many restaurants are now opting for a raw look and incomplete textures for their décor. These play an important role in defining the restaurant theme.
Factors that will play a role in finalising the texture in the restaurant are –
- Colour of the walls
- The type of frames and fittings for the wall and
- The type of flooring you want to choose.
Some points to consider while choosing the textures –
- Concrete and wood flooring is the best when it comes to longevity.
- You can opt for porcelain tiles for the kitchen floors and commercial bathrooms.
- Fun wallpapers that are relevant to the theme add a touch of modernity to the restaurant interiors.
Have an elaborate creative discussion with the interior designers of your restaurant to understand the various trends and options available in your budget.
6. Technical details
- Kitchen Equipment
Kitchen equipment plays a pivotal role in kitchen prep as well as service. Even though hidden from the public eye this is something that a restaurant can’t compromise with. High-quality kitchen equipment is expensive. As a restaurant owner, one needs to strike a fine balance between budget and quality when it comes to kitchen equipment.
- The type and the amount of kitchen equipment affect the space available in the kitchen during the service.
- Kitchen design plays an important role in the front-end experience.
An experienced team of interior designers, as well as kitchen experts working together, can help design a highly functional design that smooths servicing needs.
- Furniture for the sitting area.
The kind of tables and chairs that are chosen affect the experience of the diners, as well as help, define the character of the restaurant. The kind of furniture also further accentuates the restaurant theme. This is also something that the customers interact with before food arrives.
Basic decisions that need to be made about the furniture are
- Cushion-based or standard chairs,
- Rectangular and round tables for different types of seating arrangements.
- Sanitation and Safety
This refers to the cleaning aspect of the restaurant.
- Restaurant hygiene – Restaurants must be designed in such a way that it can be cleaned easily.
For eg: If the floors are carpeted then it will be much harder to clean up the floor.
Safety and security – This includes aspects of security for the restaurant.
For eg: Fire prepare and, proper electrical wiring, and emergency exits.
7. Aroma Design
This is where the ventilation of the restaurant space comes into the picture. The last thing a customer would want is the kitchen smells (eg: the smell of smoke) interfering with their meal. Unpleasant odours are a strict no while enjoying your meal.
Proper ventilation management is crucial to this. You need to properly plan each and every placement for this, there cannot be any room for error when it comes to this.
8. Bars and open bar displays
The bar design has to match the look and feel of the restaurant. Most bar designs are designed with seating near them, with opulent shelving where the drinks are displayed.
9. Menu Design
Ultimately, everything comes down to the food and the menu. After all, that is what people come to the restaurant to enjoy.
The restaurant’s menu is the core of the whole restaurant set-up. The kind of restaurant, its theme and the details of its interior design – all depend on the menu and the food being served at the restaurant.
10. Human Comfort
Air conditioning, the kind of seating, individual space, and air flow all play a role in the customer’s comfort at the restaurant.
Irrespective of the kind of restaurant it is, care and comfort are the must-haves in every restaurant.
Gone are the days when restaurants were only a place for eating. Eating out is now an experiential outing. People want to feel good when they enter a restaurant for a meal. The youth especially give more importance to the overall experience than just the food and drinks. This is why the interior design of the restaurant has now become a game changer. Good interior design goes a long way to help create positive vibes and emotions in the restaurant.
