Functional Interior Design Ideas For Your New Restaurant
Running a restaurant is a challenging job, requiring diligence and hard work. Something that can really help you with streamlining your restaurant business is a good interior design which is also functional for your restaurant style. A comfortable and visually appealing space will not only satisfy your current customer base but attract new ones so they return often. Focusing on preparing good food is crucial for a restaurant business, and having a visually appealing and functional design along with good food is always a great idea for your restaurant’s profitability and financial success.
Research shows that a restaurant’s design impacts customer psychology. The acoustics, seating options, and architecture all contribute as essential factors which can affect the duration of a customer’s stay and even prompts them to order more or less food. Below is a guide on using brilliant functional interior design ideas to make your restaurant successful.
The Importance of a Functional Restaurant Floor Plan
A functional interior design is important for your business because it ensures all your operations run smoothly; your customers are satisfied, and your servers work efficiently without feeling tired. All this depends on the style of your restaurant. If you are opening up a fast-food place, a fine dining, a café, or an indoor or an outdoor space, your design concept and layout will vary accordingly.
Your customers may not notice it, but how you plan your seating, kitchen location, and bar can make a huge difference. A functional plan for your servers can provide seamless service and help to quickly turn tables.
Concept is Key: Asking questions like where you want your seating to be, how much kitchen space you will be utilizing, and the type of service model you will be using will help you brainstorm better ideas for your restaurant. Will the customers order at the counter and pick up their food? Or will they be seated and served food? All these questions can help you decide your layout better. Once you have the concept of your restaurant clear, you can make better choices.
Utilize your space effectively: Typically, kitchens occupy almost 40% of the restaurant area. Keeping that in mind, you may plan out your restaurant in a way that will work efficiently. For example, a fine dining restaurant would need adequate spacing. Customers will spend more time if the seats are spaced apart from other tables. You can have family tables in the center of your restaurant and cozy seating for couples in the corners of the room. Restrooms should be tucked in to a corner of a restaurant as no one likes to be seated near a restroom. Moreover, having a greeting area at the entrance always leaves a good impact on customers. After designing a layout that works best for your restaurant you can also play with the look, colors, lighting, textures, and flooring to bring your restaurant to life.
Keep Kitchen and Restaurant Functionality a Prime Factor: Every restaurant is unique and has its considerations for a functional layout. One important factor is storage. From your kitchenware to your furniture like high chairs, and extra seats, you need space that is easily accessible to servers and one which accommodates all essential items. A service station which has all the important items such as clean crockery, glasses, utensils also assist the staff in their everyday duties. Utilize walls in your kitchens for vertical cabinetry and store everyday items like spices, equipment, and utensils near the counters so your chefs save time finding them. Make your kitchen an area where chefs and waiters can quickly move around and operate efficiently. Kitchen layouts and designs also depend on the type and the amount of food being prepared in a restaurant. Open kitchens are now more popular as the customers can witness what is being cooked, and it is an excellent way of adding entertainment to your restaurants. Plus, the smell of good food can give your customers a mouth-watering and homely experience.
For restaurants, hire a contractor who knows about building permits to ensure you create a spacious and welcoming space for your customers. Arrant Construction has a combined experience of 30 years to help you with local building codes regulation and timely construction. A well-versed restaurant construction company will know to ensure and comply with all building codes, potentially saving you from any trouble down the line and helping you create a functional design space.
Key Takeaways for Restaurant Interior Design
- Proper Ventilation and Cooling and Heating Systems (HVAC): More than having an aesthetically pleasing environment, your restaurant should have a comfortable environment, depending on the weather. Your restaurant contractor will help you design ways to create more ventilation and install commercial grade stove vents in your kitchens to quickly let out the excessive smoke, heat, and smell. Properly spaced air conditioning vents are also essential for your customers to feel relaxed and enjoy their food.
- Remember the Restroom: Restrooms are often neglected when designing a restaurant, but they are one of the most crucial areas of your design plan. You want to make your restrooms a pleasant experience for your customers, so focus on an odor-free, fresh-smelling, spacious, and bright restroom. Accessibility standards should also be met, like adequate clearance for wheelchair turnarounds and sinks and hand-drying stations installed at the appropriate and proper heights.
Final Thoughts
As we mentioned before, functionality is key to your restaurant’s success. When planning your restaurant construction design, you are bound to research the aesthetic side first. However, focus on the functional and practical aspects before considering the aesthetic design. When both are incorporated together, your restaurant will more likely be a success. Employ these tips in your restaurant interior design to leave a desirable impact on your customers and make them want to come again! Call Arrant Construction as your trusted restaurant constructor. Arrant has its own in-house design team and they can help you come up with a layout for your restaurant that has the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. Schedule a detailed consultation with a professional who will walk you through every step for a successful restaurant.
