Our Top Tips for Restaurant Design

January 7, 2023

Did you know that finding a way to improve your customer reviews by only a half star can result in a revenue boost of up to 9%?

Considering this, why not focus on your restaurant’s interior design to give your ratings a boost?

The success of a restaurant doesn’t depend solely on food. At JDG, we can guide you through the process of designing an incredible restaurant – from initial inspiration to permitting and construction.

Here are some of our top restaurant interior design tips to help you think outside the box.

 

 

Design a Detailed & Efficient Layout

 

Although it’s tempting, don’t start ripping apart anything just yet!

The first step is to develop a layout that is functional and efficient for both guests and staff. This restaurant interior design cheat sheet will be a great tool to help you plan out your restaurant. For example, most restaurants locate their washrooms away from the entry and windows, closer to the kitchen and back of the restaurant. This ensures your guests get to enjoy the natural lighting and view from windows.

A detailed and efficient layout will also help customers and servers move freely about your restaurant. This can be a constant challenge depending on how much space you have on your floor plan. Overall, the layout is the foundation of the design process and of your restaurant’s success – both design and functionality wise.

OEB Breakfast Co, Burnaby, B.C / Photo by: Christine Pienaar Photography / Design by: JDG

 

 

Thoughtful Lighting & Colour Selection

 

Lighting and colour selection is a vital element of restaurant interior design. You should involve both natural and artificial light to capture the essence of your establishment, and strategically select colours that boost the appetite and mood of your guests.

Creating a perfect balance of lighting levels can help influence our moods, emotions and feelings. Studies have shown that brighter light can intensify our emotions while lower light keeps them steady.

Here are some quick tips on how colours affect our brains and moods:

  • Blue: lowers high blood pressure and calms us down. Portrays trust, loyalty, wisdom, intelligence, truth, water and tranquility.
  • Green: Green stimulates muscles, bones and more. For restaurant interior design, it portrays nature, growth, wealth, health, harmony, and calmness.
  • Purple: reduces emotional and mental stress. Portrays royalty, power, luxury, dignity, romance and creativity.
  • Red: red is a powerful colour that portrays love, warmth, energy, excitement, leadership, intensity and courage.
  • Orange: this is a colour of creative ideas. It helps portray happiness, energy, enthusiasm, change, and stimulation.
  • Yellow: Yellow is portrayed as a happy colour. It helps us be cheery, optimistic, and energetic but it also brings emotions like caution, hunger, and attentiveness.
  • White: portrays cleanliness, space, coolness, and neutrality.

Dandy’s Artisan Icecream, Regina, SK / Photo by: Andrew Fyfe Photography / Design by: JDG

 

 

 

Select the Right Flooring

 

Flooring is another critical component of restaurant interior design. There are several choices for flooring – from hardwood, synthetic and more – but you should consider the following features:

  • Safety: Try to get non-slip flooring options and anti-slip coating for customers and staff.
  • Sound Absorption: Noise-dampening floors (like vinyl or wood) can combat this common problem in restaurants.
  • Durability: Wear and tear are expected in restaurants with frequent spills and foot traffic. Tile floors are much more durable, resist wear, and have an aesthetic appeal.
  • Maintenance: Flooring that is easy to clean and maintain is helpful to consider in your restaurant interior design. Concrete requires the least amount of maintenance whereas hardwood is easy to clean but requires regular waxing.

If you’re interested in discussing the many flooring options out there, don’t hesitate to reach out to an expert at JDG.

Tap & Barrel Bridges, Vancouver, B.C / Design by: Tap & Barrel and JDG

 

 

 

Be True to You: Show off Your Brand

 

Is your bistro a local hole-in-the-wall with lots of charm, character and history? Or is your restaurant modern and sophisticated, serving the bustling business worker community?’

No matter what your brand values are, you don’t want to throw your guests off. Tablecloths and chandeliers will feel out of place at a college brunch joint for example.

Check out this restaurant’s interior design example in Brentwood. The owner wanted customers to walk into a fresh farmhouse as they entered this brunch establishment. By incorporating some raw materials and subtle barn elements, we were able to illustrate the brand’s grassroots values to every customer at OEB Breakfast Co.

Ask yourself: What do you want your customers to feel and remember about your restaurant?

If you need help or more inspiration, you can see our other restaurant interior design examples on our project page.