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Published on : 11/15/2022
How to effectively design and arrange your restaurant
Introduction
The interior design of your restaurant can be complex when you don’t really know much about decoration. A restaurant must be a place of reunion and sharing between family and friends. It is therefore essential to ensure that your clients feel at ease.
Here are some tips for choosing a suitable restaurant furniture as well as the perfect decoration for the premises.
Preparing your project
First of all, it is essential to think about the circulation in the room and the general layout. A functional layout will facilitate service, reduce round-trips and decrease the waiting time between dishes. To provide a pleasant experience, it is advisable to avoid placing tables near the toilet or kitchen.
The entrance to the establishment must also be clear in order not to clutter the reception area. Setting up a counter at the entrance can be a good solution to welcome clients, cash in and manage reservations.
Choose furniture
Start with the choice of chairs and armchairs on which your clients will be installed. They must be able to remain seated for several hours while being comfortable. The selection of this restaurant furniture will depend on the type of establishment you own and your clientele. Know that the trend is towards benches, synonymous with conviviality. Without delimitation in the seating, it gathers the guests by creating a proximity. This choice will be perfect for a family restaurant where exchange and sharing are in the spotlight. As for the chairs, they allow a form of individuality; the client is free to settle in as he wishes for optimal comfort. This seat is more malleable to create sets of tables for larger groups. High chairs, or stools, will bring dynamism to your room as well as volume, while distinguishing the zones of your restaurant. This seating is perfect if you want to set up a snack corner where your clients will eat on the go and taste their cocktails on a tray for eat-standing.
Let’s then move on to the restaurant tables. In a previous article, we gave you some advice on choosing the dimensions of restaurant tables. Indeed, there are different types and shapes, and it is not always easy to choose: square, round, oval or even rectangular. For the layout of a restaurant, all the furniture is chosen based on the area of your space, but be sure to choose stable tables that remain easy to move. You might need to change the room layout for a special occasion. A square-shaped table will always be suitable, regardless of the type of establishment you own. The round table, meanwhile, will bring a friendly touch to your dining room.
An advice: for your clients to be comfortably seated, it is necessary to count 60cm per person, and 150cm between two chairs of different tables so that the comfort is optimal.
Regarding the materials for your wooden stand-up tables, they will determine the atmosphere of your establishment. We advise you to choose resistant materials so that they can last over time. The trend is towards naturalness, respect for the environment, noble materials such as solid wood. Authentic and warm, wood is ideal for the development of a restaurant. Opt for lacquered solid wood trays so that the wood is protected from any liquid. Another popular material that is increasingly found: concrete. Very solid, it has great resistance to water and scratches. These two materials will be your allies for the furniture of your restaurant.
To refine the layout of your restaurant, it is also necessary to plan storage furniture for your utensils and tableware. A serving buffet will be useful for you to have everything necessary to set a table. On the top, you can arrange your menus to easily catch them when customers arrive. The cutlery will be stored in the drawers, and the lower part of the cabinet will serve as a storage for towels, tablecloths or cleaning products. A service buffet is very functional and allows you to optimize your service by limiting your round trips.
Decoration and atmosphere
After choosing your furniture, place to the decoration of your room. An attractive decoration will have an immediate impact on the interest of customers to come and push the door of your restaurant.
Firstly, you will need a functional restaurant layout to facilitate circulation in your room. This will guarantee you a fast and optimal service and reduce the waiting time of your customers between each dish.
For the arrangement of your restaurant tables, avoid installing them near the toilets or the kitchen, and remember to clear the entrance of your establishment. You can place a reception desk at the entrance to welcome your clients, cash them, and manage reservations.
On the decoration side, favor neutral hues for your walls and floor coverings to easily match them with tablecloths and curtains. Treat the table decoration for a successful sensory experience. Opt for white or neutral-colored dishes for an elegant look and a successful association with your tablecloths. Place a few candles in the center of the table for a more hushed and intimate atmosphere. As for the light, select bulbs diffusing a warm light for a cozy atmosphere. You can also set up background music, but pay attention to the volume to avoid a too noisy room and customers who no longer hear each other.
Optimize small areas
Do you have a small area for your restaurant and want to optimize it as much as possible? Don’t panic, here are some tips to help you.
First of all, it is important that you have the plans of your restaurant in order to have in mind the exact area of the space. List the essential restaurant furniture for your establishment (chairs, tables, shelves...) and for the conduct of your activity. It will allow you to choose the basic furniture without making unnecessary purchases.
Plan a fairly large circulation space for your staff and customers. Opt for square restaurant tables that are ideal for small and space-saving spaces.
In a small area, brightness is crucial. Opt for denser lighting during the day and opt for a subdued atmosphere in the evening with soft, warm lights for a more intimate side.
Mirrors will also be your best allies to expand the space by creating depth. They will also capture light to diffuse it. On the ground side, head towards cement tiles or mosaic prints, to deceive the eye and give an aspect of volume as well as a touch of originality. As for the colors, favor light shades like beige or white to give an impression of lightness.
Kitchen layout
If the room is the place of conviviality visible to customers, the kitchen remains the heart of the restaurant. It must be designed to be functional and effective. The different areas, from preparation to cooking to presentation, must be organized logically in order to reduce unnecessary travel.
The layout of the kitchen must therefore combine ergonomics and practicality to allow a smooth and quick service.
Regulation and safety
The development of a restaurant cannot be done without taking into account the regulations in force. Fire safety standards are mandatory and ensure the protection of your customers as well as your staff.
It is also necessary to comply with the accessibility rules so that people with reduced mobility can easily move around your establishment. Finally, the kitchen must meet strict food hygiene standards to ensure the safety of the dishes served.
Budget and professionals
The development of a restaurant represents a significant investment that must be carefully planned. It is essential to establish a precise budget covering furniture, decoration, possible works and technical equipment.
To succeed in your project, it may be wise to call upon professionals such as interior architects or decorators specialized in restoration. Their expertise will allow you to optimize the space and adopt the best solutions for your restaurant layout.
Examples and inspirations
Current trends highlight friendly and warm restaurant layouts. The benches seduce with their comfort and family spirit, while solid wood, noble and authentic, remains an essential material.
Finally, a refined decoration combined with a subdued light and some well-chosen decorative elements contributes to creating a welcoming and memorable atmosphere.
Conclusion
Setting up a restaurant requires reflection and organization. The choice of furniture, decoration, management of small areas and compliance with safety standards are key elements in creating a pleasant and functional space.
By focusing on conviviality, comfort and a harmonious atmosphere, you offer your customers an experience that will encourage them to return. A well thought out restaurant is above all a place where pleasure, efficiency and warm atmosphere mingle.
To help you in your layout, discover our collection of furniture for Cafes and Restaurant