Food is for the taste buds; aesthetics is for the eyes. The decor and aesthetics of a restaurant catch the passersby’s eyes and draw them to dive into the indulgence of food. An eatery’s decor is the identity of its branding. It sets the vibe and the first long-lasting impression in the customers’ minds.

How can you set your restaurant apart from the crowd? How can you make your place a feast both for belly and eyes? Below are some trendy, modern, stunning restaurant decoration ideas to elevate your ambiance and keep customers hooked.

1. Make the entryway more welcoming

Starting with the face of your restaurant, emphasize making the entryway as welcoming, inviting, and nostalgic as possible. Add inviting elements such as eye-catching signage, small gardens, and lanterns to compel the passersby to pay a visit.

Subtle details such as soothing background music or a fragrant diffuser will set the perfect tone. You can also go for a photo-worthy entrance to make your entryway irresistible.

For example, El Pastór in London , UK, gives the vibes of dining in Mexico right from their entrance.

2. Go for a particular theme

A well-chosen theme helps you decide the vibe and decor of the restaurant. People will remember your place by its unique and particular theme. From rustic farmhouses to retro diners, there are a variety of themes you can choose from.

But, keep in mind to keep all other elements, such as furniture, lighting, tableware, and wall art, in sync with your theme. This makes your restaurant scream out the theme loud and robust, making it social media share-worthy.

For example, Do you want to enjoy food in a restaurant themed on Pirates of the Caribbean? With servers dressed in playful characters such as Robin Hood, the Magic Time Machine in San Antonio also has a menu designed to suit a particular theme.

3. Keep it minimalistic and sophisticated

In today’s world, minimalism is less of a trend and more of a design philosophy. Your restaurant decor must be simple yet functional and classic. Avoid visual clutter with fewer distractions.

While keeping the decor minimalistic, try to be sophisticated with elements such as a neutral color plate, sleek furniture, and other complementary elements. For instance, light wood tables, subtle accent lighting, and simple table settings exude elegance without overwhelming the senses.

4. Have a statement wall

Also known as an accent wall, it is a single wall or canvas that is contrastingly different from the rest. It acts like a focal point reflecting your restaurant’s brand and colors. Besides sparking conversations, it becomes a photo booth for social media lovers.

Now, how do you turn a corner into a statement wall? From murals, local art, and gallery walls to historical, cultural, and artistic installations, you can set your accent wall differently in numerous ways. You can also create a statement wall with mirrors.

For example, The Trust Restaurant in San Diego is known for its Instagram-worthy mural art alongside its specialty dish, Braised Oxtail ravioli.

5. Invest in patterned wallpapers

If you already have a restaurant and look forward to adding depth to the wall decor without any expensive renovations, patterned wallpapers are your savior! They are readily available in various patterns, from delicate floral prints to bold geometric prints to match your restaurant’s theme and vibe.

Furthermore, wallpapers are trendy, easy to maintain, and can be changed from time to time hassle-free. You can also opt for textured wallpapers, such as the ones mimicking brick or wood, to add dimension. Strategically placing wallpapers—like on a single accent wall or in alcoves—can enhance the room’s dynamics without overwhelming the space.

6. Keep it classic with colors

Color is deeply connected to the vibe and emotions imparted. You may use the serene, simple, and sophisticated white color to keep it classic. White walls, sleek furniture, and metal fixtures give a calm, refreshing, and sterile look. Furthermore, the versatility of white color allows you to add a seasonal touch to the decor, giving your restaurant a fresh look every season.

If you want a pop of colors, you can go with the peaceful blue or a relaxing green shade. Combining these shades with a dash of nature and greenery will give the place a natural and relaxing vibe. You can also go for soothing colors like beige and brown and porches. While cool colors like blue and green symbolize elegance and calmness, bold ones like orange and red express intense emotions in a cozy place.

7. Add a touch of greenery

You can always incorporate greenery if you want to add a fresh and aesthetic vibe to your restaurant. They also add an eco-friendly vibe while improving the air quality of your place.

The possibilities are endless, from potted plants and hanging greenery to vertical gardens. For example, placing succulents on tables adds a subtle touch of nature, while a lush green wall can serve as a dramatic centerpiece. Herbs like basil or mint, strategically placed in planters, can double as decor and fresh dish ingredients.

For example, The Segev Kitchen Garden in Sharonim, Israel, gives you the perfect greenhouse vibes. With planters and tubs all around, the display of live herbs and the canopy of overhead greenery smells sensational. The outdoor setting blends well with the theme, giving the taste of natural materials in a hearty, earthy food pallet.

8. Focus on seating and lighting

Your restaurant’s overall guest experience depends significantly on your seating and lighting arrangements. Ensure your seating is thoughtfully designed, comfortable, and yet functional. Go for customized furniture and decorate them in a minimalist way.

When choosing furniture, match it with the aesthetics and functionality. For example, opt for communal tables for community gatherings and plush booths for cozy ones. Ensure the furniture is arranged well and has proper spacing to facilitate easy movement.

Moving on to the lighting, which also adds to the visual appeal, go for adjustable lighting, which you can change to suit the guests’ mood. Go for bright and natural lighting for family or friends gatherings and warm and dim lighting for a few points.

Layer your lighting with ambient, task, and accent lights to highlight architectural details or focal points like artwork or the bar area.

9. Showcase your wine cellar

Whether you have a modern wine display or a traditional cellar, showcasing it reflects your transparency, sophistication, and commitment to quality. Want to give your guests a contemporary sneak peek through your curated choices? Go for the sleek and classic glass-enclosed wine cellars.

Otherwise, you can opt for a wine bar or wall-mounted wine rack to save space. Adding warm lighting to your wine cellar accentuates the corner vibe.

10. Invest in technology

While these decor elements give an aesthetic vibe to your restaurant, you can also make it more forward-thinking with some tech integrations. How about adding interactive tablets or scannable QR codes, allowing guests to order easily from their table?

You can also go for digital signage screens such as digital menu boards to show the behind-the-scenes from the kitchen or promote a special menu. Digital screens are flexible; you can play other content to entertain your guests.

You can also use digital signage to tell your brand story, highlight seasonal dishes, or showcase customer reviews. Interactive kiosks for ordering and payments can streamline operations, particularly in casual dining settings.

Summing up

While designing your restaurant’s interior, there are 7 key elements you must focus on - space, color, light, pattern, form, line, and texture. Plan the layout of your restaurant well and concentrate on the color palette. It’s because colors can boost brand awareness by 80% and influence 85% of buying decisions. Also, soothing and relaxing restaurant music should be added to enhance the guest experience.

If you want to take a step ahead and make your restaurant tech-savvy, go for digital signage or a digital menu board. We recommend you choose Pickcel. With Pickcel’s cloud-based and on-premise solution, you can instantly show content across screens. This user-friendly software has a decade’s worth of creditworthiness from clients across the globe. Furthermore, from menu boards with POS integrations to video walls, it has a variety of solutions for you!

Do you want to know more about Pickcel? Talk to our sales team or sign up for a free trial to see how Pickcel can help your business grow.