“The difference between good design and great design is intelligence,” said well known graphic designer Tibor Kalman. This quote holds true to carefully crafting the appearance of a restaurant. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, about 60% of businesses fail within their first three years, and one of the many sources of failure included having “muddled concepts.”
Restaurant interior designers work with restaurants to help bring clear definition to space and the restaurant as a whole. Their primary concern is, of course, the restaurant itself, though design can extend to lending a hand in constructing a menu that completes the overall theme. Here are three important aspects of bar and restaurant design that you should be aware of in choosing a designer.
1. The Importance of Flow and Space
On the popular show Bar Rescue, host Jon Taffer constantly reminds business owners that “Every step the bartender has to take is money out of your pocket.” It’s a great reminder about the importance of space optimization and flow in a fast-paced work environment where volume of sales often corresponds to the ease with which staff can reach customers. Experienced restaurant interior designers will situate kitchens, tables and bars in a way so as to prevent clustering and bottle-necks, and help staff get to customers quickly and easily.
2. Visual Appeal is Important, Too
Much of interior design for restaurants is, of course, concerned with appearance and the customer’s visual experience. Great designers understand psychological tips and cues in lighting, music, placement and overall design that can influence everything from how much people spend, to how they rate their food. In one study, something as simple as using nice wine glasses that fit the overall decor of the restaurant to serve wine, elevated consumer perception of the quality of the wine they were drinking. Just think of how larger changes involving walls, floors and overall decor could influence perception in this way.
3. Restaurant Design Trends
If you want to be on the leading edge of trends, Restaurant News suggests eliminating the divide between the front and back of the restaurant. As consumers become more interested in the actual preparation of their food, there is a larger call for seating with partial or full view of the kitchen. Tableside cooking might also be the next big thing. Industrial interiors have been a rising trend in the past few years owing to the style’s popularity in cities like New York, and this is likely something we will see even more of in the future.
What do you look for in restaurant interior designers? Let us know in the comments. Continue: paulkellydesign.com.au
