When we think about restaurant design, we can be mistaken for believing that it's all a matter of passing trends, but where we eat can influence the dining experience entirely. From bright reds and yellows increasing appetite to the importance of natural lighting on a relaxed meal, there's a science to restaurant design.
When we dive into what we can expect to see in restaurants near us, it's likely to reflect what we, the consumers, are really searching for.
Sustainable design
In recent years, the importance of brand sustainability has played a huge role in how consumers spend their money. The modern diner is more eco and health-savvy than ever. This shift in priorities has led to a trend of more 'green design', and this will likely continue to grow.
Surroundings created from natural textures such as wood and cork are on the rise (as opposed to metal and plastic), as is the increasingly popular 'urban oasis', which will see more greenery creeping into our eateries. This marrying of nature with sustainable materials provides a calming setting for busy diners and eludes to positive environmental values being pivotal to the restaurant.
Real-world aesthetic
Photoshop is out, AI is raising suspicion, and hyper-polished has not only been exposed for its unattainable nature but shunned for its elitist and cold energy. Whereas high-end might have previously meant marble and shine, we're seeing a trend towards craftsmanship and artisanal styling.
In a recent interview with Dezeen, RA! 's Ramírez de Aguilar was quoted confirming this by saying, "Architects are becoming more aware of their immediate context and are losing the fear of only using 'high-end materials.' In the near future, 'high-end' may mean local artisan work."
Seamless technology
Restaurant design won't escape the growing integration of technology into our lives. The restaurant scene has been increasingly using technology to elevate the service in the back of house for years, but front of house is joining the wave.
Digital menus may have joined us as a post-pandemic solution, but their sustainability benefits and easily updatable nature have cemented them as a firm favourite for restaurants. We'll likely see a rise in QR codes and high-quality digital menus around restaurants over the coming year.
Self-ordering kiosks are also becoming increasingly popular in QSR restaurants and provide guests with a streamlined way to order, collect, and enjoy meals at a faster pace.
The insta factor
From the millennial pink dreamscape of Pietro Nolita, NY, to the increasingly selfied Pod bathrooms at Sketch London, incorporating a well-done concept or theme to your restaurant is and continues to be a firm strategy for increasing popularity and bookings. And, as social media becomes an increasing factor in where diners book, it's never been more common to see restaurants branching out into bold, iconic design.
Ways we've seen and anticipate seeing this come to life include floral arches/ walls, a statement art piece, large-scale sculptures, neon slogans and more.
2024 will be the year of restaurants embracing ethical, down-to-earth digitalisation and delight to entice customers, and we can't wait.
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