Restaurant Design Tips To Attract More Customers

While the quality of food and service is what people look for in a restaurant, the appearance of the restaurant is also one of the reasons why they keep coming back. A restaurant with decorations that speak to the type of cuisine and intended atmosphere can make all the difference. Therefore, regardless of the budget and design needs, decorating the restaurant should be an important concern.

Sometimes, the reason why some restaurants have expensive meals is because of the experience that customers have. Take for example some coffee shops where many people stay for a long time because they enjoy the experience of drinking a cup of coffee paired with a slice of pastry. The appearance of the restaurant can influence the appetite of the customer. Even if you serve the best food on the planet, if the interior design of the restaurant does not enrich the customer’s dining experience, they are not likely to return or even recommend your place to their friends. 

Decorating the restaurant is more than just having good taste and knowledge of architecture. It is also about marketing. This simply means using the space to promote the restaurant and sell more of its products. 

Here are some tips on how to decorate the restaurant so that customers would keep coming back to enjoy their food experience:

Color

Colors have all been known to have a significant impact on our brains and the body as well. In the food industry, red is the dominant one. Look at the various fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald’s. Studies have shown that the color red enhances the appetite, while blue slows down the metabolism. Therefore, it is important to choose the right colors for your restaurant and the psychological impact it will have on the minds of your customers.

Theme

Develop a theme for your restaurant based on your cuisine. If your cuisine is Mexican, you will likely want to feature elements of Mexican design, such as warm saturated colors, rustic wood, and mosaic tile designs. Think also of the style of your restaurant. For example, it could feature family-style seating or intimate tables, depending on whether you want a casual environment or a fine dining experience. 

Lighting

Lighting is also an important factor that is always considered by designers and restaurant owners. The right lighting can enhance the furniture, hide flaws, and improve the customer’s overall dining experience. Lighting is the first thing that may attract a customer. Lighting that is bright and attractive can invite customers with its warm, and welcoming appearance. 

Music

Music has a significant effect on customers. Studies have shown that background music not only makes employees happier but likewise improves the image of the establishment, and therefore stimulates customers’ appetites. Rock music tends to increase the appetite and makes customers chew faster. Classical music tells the stomach to desire calm refined foods. 

Aroma

Scientifically, our sense of smell is connected to our memory and sense of taste. The right aromas recreate fond memories of past experiences and can stimulate one’s appetite. 

Restrooms

Never forget to incorporate restrooms in your establishment. Maintaining pleasant, clean bathrooms with plenty of paper towels and a full soap dispenser is important. Likewise, it is important to make sure that all doors lock properly.

Seating capacity

The restaurant should incorporate a balance between the creation of a welcoming atmosphere and the number of seats available. Your restaurant should be able to receive enough comfortably seated diners to make a profit. You also would want them to feel at ease. 

Heating and ventilation

These are probably some of the most expensive pieces of equipment every restaurant needs, and the most important. This equipment will ensure that the customers are comfortable so they would keep coming back and dining in your comfortable restaurant. 

Kitchen design

Of course, the kitchen is the most important to be successful in the restaurant business. Kitchens require bulky and expensive equipment. The kitchen layout should allow food ready to serve to flow seamlessly from the kitchen to the dining room. If you have a kitchen layout that slows down your operation, then you would be losing customers, and eventually your business.