In the restaurant business, lagging sales and waning popularity aren’t always about the quality of the food. Atmosphere plays a huge part in a diner’s experience. The interior design of your restaurant has both obvious and subtle effects on your customers and even your employees. An innovative, efficient interior can boost your reputation, your brand value and your staff productivity. Most importantly, it can increase your bottom line.
The Elements of Great Restaurant Interiors
Both a customer’s first impression and staff productivity often boil down to a handful of important elements. Consider the following when planning your interior design.
- Your restaurant’s overall personality should reflect your own personal style, the theme of your menu and the vibe of your local community. Be sure to research current market trends to determine what your target demographic wants when they go out to eat. If you run an ethnic or themed restaurant, be sure to incorporate elements of your theme into parts of your design.
- Aesthetic harmony is important. Create visual contrast by using different textures and placing decorative items at different heights. You want your customers to enjoy looking around your dining area.
- Providing adequate dining space is imperative. Many people don’t enjoy sitting close to other diners, and close quarters make the job of cleaning during operating hours more difficult.
- Functional kitchen space and adequate food prep space are also essential. Your cooks and wait staff should be able to move freely and perform their tasks comfortably. Too little space leads to errors and frustration that will almost certainly affect the quality of your food and your restaurant’s customer service.
Getting the Right Look Through Color and Style
When designing the interior of any room where food is served, you should always consider the psychological effects of color. The best colors for restaurant design are warm colors that are associated with food; these include brown, red, yellow and green tones. Blue is attractive and calming, but it tends to depress appetite. Use cool colors such as blue and lavender with discretion.
Be careful when planning your wall and floor colors. For example, although choosing white or light pastels makes it easier to change your decor later, covering large areas with them may backfire. Light colors readily show dirt and damage, and a dirty-looking restaurant interior is a huge turn-off. Look for appetizing colors and easy-to-clean, natural materials in building exteriors and interiors for a cohesive, inviting look that draws people to your door.
From the Front of the House to the Kitchen, We’ve Got What You Need
To create an innovative restaurant interior, start with a great foundation. Whether you’re opening a new restaurant in Western New York or relocating to a better space, Ellicott Development can help. We have a great variety of high-traffic locations in desirable areas; one is sure to be the perfect blank canvas for your creative vision. Contact us today to discuss your restaurant’s needs with one of our dedicated, experienced commercial agents.
