When you dine at a restaurant, the food is the star of the show. But it's not the entire show. The restaurant's atmosphere and decor add to the experience, and in some cases, can make or break it. It's easy to overlook the importance of restaurant decor, but it's an important aspect of your business that should get the attention it deserves.
We're going to share ten restaurant decor ideas and tips to help you create just the right atmosphere for your guests.
10 Restaurants Decorating Ideas and Tips
1. Choose a Theme and Style First
Before you start looking at furniture and restaurant wall decor, choose a theme and style. Ask yourself:
- How do you want guests to feel when they walk into your restaurant?
- What kind of vibe or ambiance do you want to create?
- What colors do you want to incorporate into your design?
When choosing a theme for your restaurant, avoid anything that's too trendy. Instead, choose something timeless and a reflection of your brand and menu.
Make sure that your theme and style are reflected in virtually every aspect of your restaurant, from your custom-printed products (like takeaway cups and napkins) to your menu design, tabletop accessories, and marketing materials.
2. Incorporate Typography into the Mix
Typography and bold graphics can really make your theme come to life. If you have empty, awkward wall space, adding a custom quote or phrase can add character to your restaurant and reflect the vibe you want to create.
Try connecting with local artists to bring your ideas to life, or have them come up with an original idea. Showcasing their work can help bring in more foot traffic and potentially get more shares on social media.
3. Create an Eye-Catching Entry
If you want restaurant bar decor ideas that will double as promotional tools, here's a great one: Create an Insta-worthy entry to your restaurant.
Murals and wall art will grab the attention of passersby, and many won't be able to resist taking selfies in front of them.
4. Open Up Your Space
Contemporary restaurants are opening up their spaces and making the kitchen a part of the dining area. Giving your guests a glimpse of your kitchen helps them get close to your products and can really make the space feel more welcoming. Open kitchen layouts are especially attractive when you have a focal point, like a wood-fire pizza oven.
If you can't open up your space and make the kitchen a part of the dining area, consider other ways to bring your back-of-house to the front, such as an open wine "cellar."
5. Don't Forget About Lighting
Decor, colors, and themes are important, but don't overlook the lighting. The right lighting can:
- Create a relaxed, calm atmosphere
- Hide flaws
- Highlight key design components
For fine dining restaurant decor, dim overhead lighting and tabletop candles or lamps can create an intimate space. For restaurant bar decor or a more laid-back atmosphere, neon lights may be a great option.
No matter the vibe you're trying to create, it's important to make sure that you have adequate lighting. Your restaurant doesn't have to be lit up like an office building, but guests should be able to see their food and easily navigate your restaurant floor.
6. Focus on Your Tables
Your tables are where your guests will gather and enjoy their meals, so make these spaces comfortable. Restaurant table decor is important, but don't overdo it. Make sure guests have enough room to eat comfortably.
Also, make sure that you have a variety of tables on your restaurant floor to serve the needs of your customers. Mix up your two-, four- and six-top tables to create a livelier atmosphere.
7. Don't Neglect the Restroom
Your restroom design is another opportunity to impress your guests, reinforce your brand or image, and help customers feel comfortable during their stay.
From wall murals to lounge seating and elegant lighting, there are many ways to create a stellar bathroom in your restaurant. Seek out inspiration from some of the most inspiring restaurant bathroom designs and keep your theme in mind when choosing your restaurant decor supply.
8. Create a Community Experience
Food brings people together. Traditionally, bars and pubs were where locals gathered together to share stories, laugh, and enjoy meals (and a few drinks!). Today, many restaurants have lost that community atmosphere. You can recreate that experience at your own restaurant by:
- Removing TVs
- Adding communal tables
- Offering board games for guests and families to play while they wait for their meals
Finding ways to keep guests in the present moment can help create lasting memories and positive experiences at your restaurant.
9. Choose Your Layout Wisely
The layout of your restaurant is also crucial. Although this isn't the most exciting part of the design and decor process, it's an integral one. Consider hiring a professional to help design and plan your layout with function in mind.
Even if space is limited, you can still make your restaurant feel open and comfortable for guests.
10. Consider Sound When Choosing Materials
Have you ever been in a restaurant that was so loud, that you could barely hear yourself think? If you're like most people, you'll think twice about going back to that restaurant.
It's important to consider how sound will travel when choosing the materials for your decor. Wood chairs and tile flooring are beautiful, but they will send sound waves bouncing all over the place and make the space sound louder than it truly is.
Make sure that you incorporate some soft materials into your space to dampen the noise, such as:
- Acoustic wall panels
- Drapes
- The soft seat and barstool cushions
These additions will not only help reduce the sound level, but they'll also add to the beauty of your space.
Final Thoughts
Decorating your restaurant can be a fun and exciting experience because you can bring your ideas to life. But keep these tips in mind to help ensure that your restaurant's design creates the impression you want.