RESTAURANT DESIGN: THEMED RESTAURANTS

Themed restaurant design, what to consider…

Thousands of themed restaurants have been launched over the years. And if you are successful in developing a great theme, you will develop a restaurant concept which will ultimately become your brand. By combining the correct amount of entertainment and good food, your business will thrive even when trends change.

Remember not every restaurant design is a ‘theme’ restaurant, but all restaurants should have a theme; a design concept which accentuates your food and is a starting point from which to develop your brand. Consider every single physical and emotional element that your customers will encounter. Every item – surfaces, chairs, tables, sofas, lighting etc – becomes a design opportunity. Most themed restaurants require one of a kind decor items, you may even require bespoke restaurant chairs.

Careful themed design considerations can have a marked effect on the diner and, hence, on your profitability. Consider the following:

  1. Choose a design focal point – if your focus is 50s American diner, incorporate it in your restaurant name, logo, signs, uniforms, decorative accents, menus, speciality items and your music!
  2. Be subtle and keep gimmicks to a minimum – don’t be tempted to over-design. Resist the temptation to overwhelm your diners. Use blank spaces – flooring and bare walls – to ease the eye.
  3. Avoid clichés – many theme restaurants often overwork their theme. Try and make your decor influenced rather than being stereotypical. This can be achieved by cleverly blending unique and unusual elements together.
  4. Plan for the future – most restaurant design has a 5-7 year life span. Concentrate on using neutral and versatile foundation elements such as lighting, flooring, ceilings and fixtures that won’t need thrown out when you come to refurbishing your restaurant. Easy refurbishment can be made through the replacement of tables and chairs and a fresh coat of paint.
  5. Spend more time on quality basics – you will save on the decorative touches by spending a bit more money on your restaurant tables and restaurant chairs however, quality wins out in the end, always.

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