How to successfully decorate your restaurant?

Do you want to decorate your restaurant , but you have no ideas? Can't find good advice? Do you think you'll never find the right decor to create the atmosphere you want in your restaurant? 

No worries, we've thought of you! 

In this article, we provide 6 valuable tips and 8 examples to enhance your restaurant, helping you to define:

• How to find your restaurant's identity before decorating it?
• How can you adapt the lighting to the atmosphere you want to create?
• What colors should I use ?
• How to match the sound with the scenery?
• How to control odors in your restaurant?
• How to facilitate the movement of your customers & servers?

Let's go, let's not waste another minute 😀

The decor of your restaurant is one of the most important elements

When a customer arrives at your restaurant, they immediately notice the decor. Even before setting foot inside, they've already seen the facade. It's their first impression, so it absolutely must be well-presented. If you have torn curtains or a dirty window, customers will leave... 

Furthermore, you spend a lot of time in your restaurant. It's your second home. You should feel completely at ease there. All the more reason to decorate your restaurant in your own style. Moreover, beyond simply eating, customers are immersed in a specific "setting." You can have the best dish in the world, but if it's not served in the right setting , the experience won't be the same.

As you will have understood, decorating your restaurant means putting all the odds in your favor, but also demonstrating professionalism. Now, let's move on to our 6 tips to achieve this!

I) Our 6 tips for successful restaurant decoration

1. Find your restaurant's identity before decorating it

Before you even put a single plate on the table, ask yourself: what is the identity of my restaurant? Do the dishes you offer go well with a vintage restaurant decor or more with a cozy restaurant decor ?

This step is essential; it's what will give your restaurant its character. Because if you can't define your restaurant's identity, you won't be able to decorate it properly. To find your restaurant's identity, answer these questions:

• How is my restaurant different?
• What are the specific characteristics of my dishes?
• What emotions will the customer feel?
• What are the characteristics of our clients?
• What are the elements – the gestures – that will make them come back?
• What factors bring them here for the first time?

Once you have answered all these questions, you will be able to establish the "personality" and characteristics of your restaurant. Always start your decorating with one of the most often overlooked elements : lighting.

2. Adapt the lighting to the atmosphere of your establishment

Is your restaurant decor modern? If so, you won't be able to light it in the same way as in a place with fast food decor. 

A. Hanging lights, ideal for Valentine's Day restaurant decor

With pendant lights, each table has its own lighting, and the background of each light is dark. If you need to create a more intimate atmosphere , this is the lighting for you. Be sure to position these lights carefully to avoid obstructing the view. Place them 60 to 80 cm above the table.

B. Ceiling lights, excellent for creating a convivial atmosphere

For bar decor , these devices are perfect. Indeed, they illuminate large areas perfectly.

3. The right colors for decorating your restaurant

Don't place colors randomly in your restaurant! They have meaning and influence hunger.

For example, the colors that most stimulate hunger are red, orange, and yellow. Use them to decorate your brasserie , for instance. Green also stimulates the appetite, but less so than the colors mentioned above. It evokes nature, health, and organic products. Green fits well into a nature-inspired restaurant decor . There is a third category of colors. These suppress the appetite. Therefore, avoid using blue and brown.

4. Match the sound to your restaurant's decor

The sound in a restaurant influences the customer. If you play fast music, they will eat faster. Conversely, play slow music and your customers will eat more slowly.

Indeed, researchers at MUMA University in Florida have shown that commands are influenced by music . The louder the music played, the less "healthy" the commands are, and vice versa.

5. Be sure to control the odors and adjust them to the decor of your restaurant

The sense of smell is a highly developed sense in humans. They can smell everything around them.

This way, your customers will immediately smell all the aromas as soon as they arrive at your restaurant. They will smell the aromas of the tables, the restrooms, the entrance, and the food you are cooking.

The BVA polling institute has shown that sales increase by 38% in stores filled with enticing aromas. These aromas do indeed influence our behavior. Take a cue from bakeries: let the smell of your food waft outside to attract more customers.

Also, opt for certain scents. For example, lavender reduces stress and vanilla increases feelings of confidence and relief.

6. Make it easier for your customers and servers to move around

Before customers eat, they need to be able to get to their tables. And they might also get up during their meal. That's why you need to optimize your restaurant, even if it means sacrificing some seating. It's important that your customers can move around freely .

Your servers will also be moving around. Make it easier for them by spacing out the tables. Above all, indicate where the restrooms are, and whether the doors need to be pulled or pushed .

II) Examples of decorations for your restaurant

A. Industrial-style restaurant decor

Industrial decor is currently fashionable and will remain so for a long time. Indeed, furniture in this style is constantly being updated, so there will always be trendy pieces available. For an industrial look, opt for raw materials such as:

• The metal
• The bricks
• The stones
• Concrete
• Wood, etc.

For example, the tables could be made of raw wood, and the walls stone. Also, hang large light fixtures from the ceiling. And to prevent the atmosphere from being too cold, add warm colors, plants, and small cushions.

B. Trendy restaurant decor

Do you want a restaurant that's up-to-date? Then you need to be aware of what's happening in terms of decoration.

Here's a list of the trending elements of 2020 for you:

• Vegetation
• Decorative iron objects
• Cement paving stones
• Street Art paintings
• The light fixtures (yes, them again!) etc...

C. Vintage restaurant decor

For a successful vintage decor , you need to take your customers back to their memories. To do this, display objects that your clientele remembers, such as:

• A jukebox
• Polka dot gloves
• A checkerboard tile pattern
• An American phone
• Neon lights, etc.

Don't overdo it, or your restaurant will look like a flea market. You need just enough elements to evoke fond memories for your customers. Make them feel right at home!

D. Modern restaurant decor

Modern decor is a clever blend of futuristic and contemporary styles. Modern decor encourages minimal use of accessories. Opt for a few stylish and designer wall decorations, or transform your walls themselves into a stunning mural (graffiti, tags, etc.).

Here are some ideas for a modern restaurant decor:

• Wallpaper
• Mural: graffiti with multiple shades of color
• Street Art Canvases

If modern design isn't your thing, but you own a fast-food restaurant and want to decorate it, we've got you covered too...

E. Fast Food Restaurant Decor

Good fast-food decor is decor that stimulates the senses. Choose bright colors, like red or orange.

Use screens to convey information to them. And play upbeat music.

F. Cozy restaurant decor

The word "cosy" means "friendly" and "warm." So focus on comfort and conviviality. You could therefore install:

• Comfortable sofas
• Nice, soft cushions
• Poufs
• Wooden tables
• A chimney
• Handmade decorative accessories
• Windows for natural light
• Light fixtures
• Imposing elements (cabinets, chandeliers, mirrors…)

G. Italian Restaurant Decor

For this type of restaurant, you have a choice. You can opt for an industrial, vintage, or even trendy decor. The important thing is to have a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Just like Italy, really!

You can use these elements:

• The colors are reminiscent of the Mediterranean.
• Floral patterns (on your rugs, for example)
• Ceramics
• Decorative objects made of iron, etc.

H. Nature Restaurant Decor

People want to reconnect with nature. Therefore, to create a greener atmosphere in your restaurant, you have several options:

• Scatter natural elements throughout your restaurant (trees, plants, flowers...)
• Decorate your walls with branches and leaves
• Use colors that evoke nature (green, brown, orange...)

III) Pitfalls to avoid so as not to ruin the decoration of your restaurant

Now you have all the tools you need to beautify your restaurant. However, we recommend that you avoid:

• Cluttering your restaurant with unnecessary accessories
• Decorate your tables with artificial flowers (the scent is important!)
• Doing too much (you won't necessarily be original)
• To avoid installing overly bulky furniture (this makes moving around easier)
• Neglecting your entrance's decor is the first thing customers see (after judging your facade) .

Are you going to let your heart speak?

It will undoubtedly take time to achieve the desired result 100%, but start small, apply one tip at a time; there's no need to make all these changes in the same week. Take the time you need to truly achieve your dream decor—the one you desire, but also the one you deserve!

You can, for example, start by improving the visual experience of your establishment (through your wall decorations) . Or work on the lighting. In any case, don't remain idle. It's worth the effort. With good decor, you'll have satisfied customers !

See you soon,

The Lofty Trend Team.