Elegant and exquisite restaurants that allure people are a dream come true for owners. Restaurants are a combination of luxury and comfort. A good restaurant comprises of not only an interesting menu and good food but also well crafted interiors that facilitate a thrilling culinary affair, internally and visually.
Behind every successful restaurant goes a comprehensive process of designing and decor so as to provide an exuberant and wholesome experience to the customer as well as the staff working tirelessly to make the space worth it. In today’s fast paced life, people will do anything to come across interesting and fulfilling spaces. Interior designing plays a pivotal part in doing exactly that. However, beautiful interiors are just the tip of an iceberg. There is psychology and science that the interior designers have to put in to create virtuous results.
There are certain things to be kept in mind while designing a restaurant-cafe-
- Acquiring a functional layout
- Choosing the right colour palette
- Lighting up the space precisely
- Picking suitably crafted furniture
- Curating unique decor and display
- Constructing desirable architectural acoustics
Acquiring a functional layout
A restaurant’s layout plays the most significant role in its overall functioning as well as appeal. The floor plan that comprises of not only the built area but also appropriate spacing between the furniture depending upon the size of the restaurant.
No amount of fancy decor can compensate for the correct layout of the space, which includes the distance between seating, length and breadth of the aisles, suitable margin for service, movable space for furniture, and ideal openings of doors and windows and their sizes.
The ideal floor division is 60% of the area for dining, and the rest 40% for the kitchen, prep area and restroom.
Choosing the right colour palette
The colour scheme of the restaurant is the foremost thing that appeals to the eyes of the customer. However colours are used not just to charm the customers but also to define various spaces depending upon their functionality.
The colour scheme of the space includes not just the color of the walls but also of the furniture and crockery. Colour palette of the restaurant-cafe has to be well thought because it plays an impact on the psyche and appetite of the customer.
Though there are innumerable choices and palettes when it comes to picking one, it should always compliment the theme of the space.
Lighting up the space precisely
Lighting of a restaurant may not be something that strikes to the customer directly, but it plays a great role on their psychology. Appropriate lighting set-ups are a must for any dining space. It not only brightens the ambience but also makes the food look more savoury without an apparent notice of people.
While natural light is the most efficient source of lighting and creates a soothing aura, there are various kinds of lighting fixtures to choose from for restaurants like chandeliers, pendant lights, wall-mounted lights, ceiling lights, cove lights and floor lights. They can be used to light up the spaces according to their functionality.
If not for correct lighting, even a beautifully designed space may appear dull. However, one thing to be kept in mind is the fact that people look for not just delicious food and beverages in restaurant-cafe but also comfort, therefore, it is advisable to keep the light setting as one would like in their homes.
Picking suitably crafted furniture
The importance of carefully selected restaurant chairs, tables and accent pieces is not to be underestimated. When a restaurant approaches its furniture choices as objects of function and nothing else, the entire experience becomes devalued.
Furniture highlights the theme of the restaurant, the cuisine and the cultural aspect of the space. For example, while designing a nature driven space, wooden furniture would always be the ideal choice, while leather or plastic furniture would sour the experience of tranquillity that one would want to achieve.
It is also helpful to remind oneself that furniture extends beyond just table and chair, it includes appropriate art pieces to make to make the space cosy as well as maximize the comfort for people. Plants are always a good idea to complement the furniture.
Curating unique decor and display
Restaurant decors are a fundamental component in making the space more lively. Accessories and decorative touches are where the interior design is deepened in terms of thoughtfulness. Decorative and display pieces add a sense of completeness to the aesthetics of the space.
Moreover, they help in enhancing the theme of the restaurant as well as add an artistic touch. Gastronomic analogy plays an important role in appealing people, i.e. the theme of the restaurant should be visible in the decor and display. For example a cafeteria can use old artefacts related to coffee as decor pieces or put various kinds of coffee beans on display.
Not to forget that in the social media-centric world that we live in craves for unique ambience and thrilling experience all the time.
Constructing desirable architectural acoustics
Studies have confirmed that in an environment of loud noise, our sense of taste is compromised. Therefore it is ideal to keep acoustics in mind while designing a restaurant, since it affects the food as well as conversations. Sound barriers are also necessary to provide a healthy work environment for the staff that works day and night at the restaurant.
Choice of materials is a crucial factor as too many hard surfaces will amplify sound. There’s carpeting, drapes, and table linen, all of which absorb some of the sounds, but it is always a good idea to use suitable materials so that the dining becomes more relaxing and fulfilling. To reduce traffic noise, one may need soundproof panelling for walls and doors.
A central music system can also be incorporated in the design which plays soft music that will enhance the dining experience for the better. In case of live music playing within the space, acoustics help containing the sounds within the space and not letting them muddle with the outer surroundings.
There is an additional factor which is often neglected but influences the overall experience of the restaurant-cafe-
Not neglecting the restroom design
It’s not uncommon to hear that to know the true dedication to design of a restaurant, you must check out the bathroom. It is where the same level of attention to detail seen in the main restaurant either fails or flourishes.
The materials, the marble, the wood, the sanitary ware, the lighting, the mirror, all the underlying factors affect the whole aesthetics and aura of not just the restroom but the whole restaurant-cafe. Therefore, it is advisable to pay as much thought and attention in designing the restroom as the rest of the space.
Conclusion
It should always be kept in mind that restaurants are designed not just to earn money but also to provide a joyful experience for anybody who comes into it. The restaurant interior design impacts customer psychology, prompts them to order more or less, and even impacts the duration of their stay in the restaurant. Creating an environment that complements the menu and the space’s interior architecture is a meticulous task but surely worth investing time, knowing that it is going to be a space that provides happiness as well as livelihood to a lot of people.
