There are several reasons a restaurant renovation can be a good idea, but they are all generally linked to the principal that they are important for future success. Renovations improve your ambiance and keep your restaurant modern, and this is something customers will notice. If your restaurant hasn’t undergone a noticeable change in decades, the stale atmosphere may be the deciding factor in a customer’s decision to never return.
Of course, there are more immediate reasons for renovations as well. If traffic jams in the kitchen are slowing down service, then it’s definitely time for some changes. The same can be said for older restaurants that aren’t energy efficient. There’s no reason to have a huge utility bill piling onto the constantly growing stack of things to worry about. Infrastructure and use of space should always be as efficient as possible, as well. Thankfully, you don’t have to go broke to spruce up your restaurant. The following are some effective renovations to improve your business—without going out of business.
Updated furnishings
Customers will naturally have to wait to be served at any restaurant, and a good portion of their wait time will be spent studying their surroundings and the furniture they’re using. Your restaurant furniture should always be a top priority because customers will associate worn or otherwise tasteless furniture with poor service. Refinishing tables and having chairs reupholstered can go a long way toward increasing customer satisfaction. If you’re concerned about the budget, you could start simply with the areas that are most affected (brightly lit areas, particularly worn furniture, etc.). There’s no rule that you have to fix everything at once.
Improved lighting
Just as lighting is crucial in the interior design of a home, the lighting in your restaurant will be a make-or-break factor for many patrons. Your lighting allows you to control exactly what customers see, which will be a huge part of their overall experience. Warm, ambient lighting throughout the restaurant will make it appear more inviting while also keeping an intimate atmosphere at each table.
A task light above each table will keep customers’ attention on their own area and food while still providing enough light to read. It’s also a good idea to use accent lighting to highlight artwork or any areas of the restaurant you want to show off. You don’t necessarily have to use big, expensive fixtures to get the job done, either. After all, there really just needs to be enough light to easily navigate and read the menu.
New flooring
It’s no secret that the day-to-day operations of a restaurant will take a heavy toll on any floor. Spills, shifting furniture, foot traffic, and a myriad of other damages will add up to an unattractive floor over time. Considering that the floor is essentially your largest decorative piece, you’ll want to keep something that looks great at all times.
Fortunately, there is a wide selection of options that work great for restaurants, and it isn’t too difficult to keep up with the latest trends. As always, you can focus on your high traffic areas first if you aren’t able or don’t need to update all of your floors at once.
New color scheme
The color schemes for both the exterior and interior of your restaurant are a huge part of your overall décor. If you feel things are getting stale inside your restaurant, a new splash of color may be just what you need. You might consider researching the psychology of color if there’s anything in particular you want to communicate through the visuals of your restaurant. For example, the color red is associated with hunger, so this could be good for your exterior to draw customers in.
These are just some of the more economical changes you could make to your restaurant to see immediate improvement. In some situations, particularly if your restaurant no longer has enough space to accommodate your needs, a full remodel could be a better option.