Having a good colour scheme in your restaurant is incredibly important, as it expresses so much about your restaurant. Having a good balance of harmonious colours can really appeal to customers, as the colour scheme introduces the restaurant to them before they have even stepped inside. It is very important to know what your target audience is and basing the design of your restaurant around the people you want to appeal to. In this article, we will discuss the importance of colour schemes across your restaurant, and how you can use it to your advantage.
The best colours to use
Through using warm and inviting colours such as red, yellow and orange will have the most effect on people’s appetite. Red is particularly favoured for its encouragement of impulse eating, and providing a luxurious and full atmosphere. Red is great for portraying passion and stimulation, but should never be used on its own though, and by breaking it up with yellows or oranges, you can create a great environment which encourages customers to sit down and have a bite at your restaurant.
Muted earth tones such as a terracotta or a mustard yellow can really fit in well with restaurants, as it gives a natural and calm aroma for our customers to enjoy. However bright and shiny colours will have the opposite effect. Bright yellows and invasive oranges will make your restaurant feel artificial and cheap, which we want to avoid at all costs.
The worst colours to use
Colours can really affect a person’s appetite, so it is really important that we aren’t choosing colours which supress feelings of hunger. Blue in particular is the main culprit in this. Although usually associated with calm and serenity, blue has become known as the most unappetizing colour. This could be down to the fact that blue is highly associated with corporate branding, technology and security, so probably not the best colour to represent your restaurant.
However, blue does have its moments. It is widely used in sweet brands, where the food is more processed and artificial, as well as sea food branding to signify freshness. Greek restaurants often have a blue colour scheme as it is both the colour of the sea and their flag. This is often used to compliment white painted walls though, so if you are going to use blue in your restaurant, you should try to use it sparingly.
Using textiles and features
Using textiles or engaging elements in your restaurant will really help provide distinct and niche experience for your customers to enjoy. Using muted earthy tones such as wooden flooring or chestnut and leather booths, coupled with copper tables and rustic chairs, can really provide a pleasing aesthetic finish to your restaurant.
You can also use elements such as water features, aquariums or a warm fireplace to really help make a restaurant’s atmosphere and stimulate your guests’ senses whilst eating or drinking. These little features will really add to the customers experience and overall design.
Having a colour scheme throughout your restaurant will help to tie the place neatly together, and create a great atmosphere for your customers to enjoy. Its all about balancing and complimenting the right colours to achieve a look that well represent you and the experience your restaurant provides. If you are looking to redesign your restaurant, why not contact Lake Contracts today to see how we can help you!