When it comes to restaurants, what patrons see and feel can be as important as what they eat and drink. In fact, research indicates that the interior design of a restaurant is one of the major factors that influences customer satisfaction.
Sensory Six has been involved in multiple restaurant projects in the Capital District and what is clear is that restaurant owners are upping their game because they know how critical design is to being competitive.
Here are three things we have shared with our work with top area restaurateurs:
1.Have a Concept
Some of our clients have established, well-loved brands, and their patrons expect a specific look and feel. Others are expanding to new demographics and locations
What is important is that there is a clear concept that ties together interiors, exteriors, packaging, menus, signage and website. The concept starts with what kind of restaurant it is: fast, classy, casual, modern, intimate, noisy, indoor/outdoor, or blends of several of these elements.
Then a restaurant designer like Sensory Six helps create an atmosphere that appeals to all the senses and turns a vision into reality,
2.Selecting the Right Colors
Colors have emotional and physical effects on diners, according to researchers. Here are some general beliefs about colors to take into consideration.
Blues have been shown to decrease appetite, but they also can stimulate calmness which helps people relax, particularly in fine dining establishments were food is cooked to order. Greens are associated with nature. People feel relaxed in green rooms and perceive the food with being fresh and healthy.
Earth tones or rich reds create a feeling of intimacy. Bright reds, however, are high energy and encourage people to eat and leave. That’s why you see red dominating fast food establishments.
At the end of the day, color should reflect the brand, but knowing how to use it in the right amounts and right places makes all the difference in creating an atmosphere.
3.Know How the Space Works Together
Restaurants are like homes – they have lots of different spaces serving different functions. And they need to be both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing.
For a restaurant, these spaces are generally the kitchen; main dining room; private dining rooms, bar area, patio dining area; entry and waiting area; and server stations – together they make up a complex system that needs to operate with maximum efficiency while taking creating an outstanding customer experience.
Taking diners’ comfort in mind means making sure that there is space between tables , and that furniture is comfortable. Lighting is also important in comfort. Large windows and natural light make people feel better and improves the dining experience. Additionally,strategically placed lightning creates an intimate atmosphere that is often associated with fine dining and drinking establishments.
At Sensory Six, we love working with restaurant owners because of the technical and aesthetic challenges along with the opportunity to optimize the brand and customer experience. We also enjoy the project management aspects because if the restaurant is not open, there is no cash flow. So correctly budgeting time and money is critical.
Most importantly, we are big foodies at Sensory Six. The more great restaurants we can help succeed, the happier we all are.
