A restaurant’s layout can have a significant impact on a customer’s experience. The design of your eatery can influence everything from the ambiance to the ease of navigating the space. As one of Sydney’s most trusted wholesalers of commercial furniture, we know how crucial restaurant layout is for enhancing the customer experience. And that’s why we’re sharing our top 8 design details that can improve the customer experience when designing the layout of your restaurant.
1. Create a Welcoming Entrance
The entrance of a restaurant is the first point of contact with customers, and it sets the tone for the rest of their experience. That’s why it is essential to create a welcoming entrance that gives customers a positive first impression of your restaurant. A well-designed entrance can help customers feel at ease, which can help to create a more enjoyable dining experience.
Ensure you have a welcoming entrance by keeping the doors to your restaurant clean and in good condition. Consider adding greenery or planters just outside and inside the door. And make sure you have comfortable seating should guests need to wait for a table.
2. Consider the Lighting
Lighting is an essential aspect of any restaurant’s design. The right lighting can create a warm and inviting ambiance, while the wrong lighting can make customers feel as if they’re being interrogated by the police under unforgiving lights. Consider using dimmer switches to adjust the lighting throughout the day, using soft lighting in the evening and brighter lighting during the day.
3. Ensure Comfortable Seating
The comfort of your customers is crucial for creating a positive dining experience. The seating layout of your restaurant should be spacious, comfortable, and well-positioned to maximise the view and ensure privacy. Seating should also be adjustable to accommodate groups of different sizes and should have ample space between tables to allow customers and wait staff to move around without feeling cramped.
4. Incorporate Art and Décor
No one wants to stare at blank walls while dining. Art and décor can enhance the overall ambiance of your restaurant and create a unique and memorable experience. Consider incorporating artwork that reflects the restaurant’s theme or color scheme to create a cohesive look throughout the space. And don’t be afraid to add interesting décor items, such as plants, sculptures, or unique light fixtures to create an inviting and relaxing environment.
5. Design a Functional Flow
A well-designed flow ensures that customers can move around the space with ease and that staff can efficiently serve customers. Consider the placement of tables, bar, and other areas in the restaurant and ensure that there is ample space for customers and staff to move around without feeling crowded.
6. Utilise Technology
Technology can be a great tool to enhance the customer experience. Consider using digital menu boards or tablets to allow customers to easily browse your menu and place their orders. QR codes posted at tables allow customers to pull up menus on their own devices (and save staff the hassle of cleaning and the expense of reprinting paper menus.
You may also consider implementing a reservation system which can help to reduce wait times and ensure that customers have a seamless dining experience.
7. Offer Outdoor Seating
Outdoor seating can provide customers with a unique and enjoyable dining experience. Guests appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and fresh air while eating. If your restaurant has outdoor space, consider designing a comfortable and inviting outdoor seating area.
8. Provide Adequate Parking
We know what you’re thinking—what does parking have to do with restaurant layout? And that is precisely the problem. Parking is often overlooked, but it is essential for providing a positive customer experience. Ensure that your restaurant has adequate parking spaces and consider providing valet parking services for customers. It’s also important to ensure your parking lot is well-lit and safe so customers feel comfortable leaving their vehicles there.
Designing the layout of a restaurant is no small feat and requires careful consideration of several factors. By following these tips, you can design a restaurant layout that enhances the dining experience and creates a loyal customer base.
And if you find yourself looking for furniture to enhance your newly designed layout, stop by our Smithfield showroom or shop our selection online. And if you have any questions, click here to contact us at Have a Seat. Any member of our team will be happy to guide you as you choose furniture to complement and maximise the efficiency of your space.
It’s important to remember that a happy customer is a returning customer. By creating a well-designed restaurant, you can create an inviting atmosphere that customers will want to revisit time and time again.