Are You Guilty of These Decorating Don’ts in Your Restaurant?
Your restaurant’s visual appeal is as important as the gastronomic experience it offers. Every detail, from the colour palette to furniture and artwork, goes a long way towards defining the dining experience for your patrons. Is your space enlivening the senses or orchestrating an inadvertent quietus to the food epicure’s zeal? Let’s delve into some of the most common decorating don’ts that can eclipse your restaurant’s charm.
An Abundance of Wall Decorations
People tend to overstate the old adage: a picture is worth a thousand words. Many restaurant owners fill every millimetre of the wall with posters, paintings, and signage. While they may intend to elicit a certain atmosphere, overcrowded walls can actually provoke claustrophobia or confusion among patrons. Strive for balance with a simple approach like using photo tiles, and remember, sometimes less is indeed more.
Neglecting the Entrance
First impressions matter. When customers walk into your restaurant, they must instantly feel welcomed and drawn in. Simon Thomas, a London-based interior designer, advises, “Create an inviting ambience with proper lighting, stylish signage, and clean walkways.” Don’t clutter the entrance area with bulky furniture or awnings; ensure easy walkability and a warm, engaging aesthetic.
Inconsistency in Theme
A cohesive interior theme sets the mood and reflects your restaurant’s personality. For example, if your restaurant serves Italian cuisine, adding a traditional Italian countryside painting or installing rustic wooden furniture makes sense. However, inconsistency such as using Oriental artwork or neon coloured upholstery in an Italian-inspired space confuses customers. Stay true to your eatery’s core identity in your décor choices.
Excessively Dark or Bright Lighting
The right lighting can accentuate your interior’s best features and envelop patrons in comfort. However, lighting mistakes can lead to a visually jarring experience. Excessively bright lighting can feel clinical, stripping away intimacy, while too dim lighting can hinder functionality and comfort. Use layered lighting solutions like pendant lights, table lamps, and subtle ceiling spots to create a balanced, inviting ambience.
Poor Furniture Choices
Comfort and style both matter in choosing restaurant furniture. Uncomfortable seating can have customers wishing for a quick exit, while overly extravagant furnishings might put them off, fearing exorbitant prices. Try to find a blend of comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal in your furniture choices.
Overuse of Trendy Colours
Whilst keeping up with contemporary trends is admirable, overuse of ‘trendy’ colours can be off-putting. Not all popular colours can fit into every restaurant’s theme or atmosphere. Furthermore, trends change quickly; today’s hot palette can be passé tomorrow, leaving your dining area dated. Opt for a timeless, versatile colour scheme that complements your restaurant’s philosophy.
Inadequate Noise Management
Sound levels can dramatically affect a customer’s dining experience. A loud and noisy restaurant might be fun for a while, but it can quickly overwhelm diners. On the other hand, a pin-drop silent restaurant can feel sterile and intimidating. Consider employing sound-absorbing materials like fabric seat covers, carpet, or acoustic ceiling panels to ensure optimal noise control.
Not Considering Comfort
Sometimes, an insatiable desire for uniqueness overrides comfort considerations. Side effects may include uncomfortable seating, inaccessible tables, or harsh lighting environments, leading to an unsatisfactory experience for your guests. Regardless of how visually stunning your restaurant may be, never compromise on comfort.
Final Thoughts
Designing a restaurant takes flair, intuition, and a keen understanding of both design principles and your target customers. Avoiding these decorating don’ts will certainly help you enhance your restaurant’s ambience and elevate your customers’ dining experience. Remember, the aim is to create a harmonious blend of captivating aesthetics, in tandem with comfort, to ensure your patrons not only enjoy their meals but also relish the ambience.
