In Bangladesh, restaurants are more than just a place to eat; they’re a place where memories are made, stories are shared, and even business deals are made.
The ambiance of a restaurant interior plays an important role in attracting customers in and also ensuring that they return for more meals – which means recurring business for your restaurant.
Now of course for a restaurant, the taste of the food is the most important thing.
However, if you want to offer a “fine dining experience”, the interior design of your restaurant can become almost as important as the cooking.
Especially with the restaurant industry in Bangladesh growing rapidly, it’s essential for you to stand out and offer a unique experience.
In this guide, we have drawn from our extensive experience as interior designers in Bangladesh to bring out 11 common interior design mistakes to avoid in restaurant interior design.
This will play an important part to ensure that your restaurant not only serves delicious dishes but also offers an unforgettable ambiance.
Cluttered greeting/host station
The welcome desk is the first thing customers see when they enter. It should be near the entrance and always clean and organised.
This shows customers that you’re ready and eager to serve them.
Staff should keep personal things in the staff area, not at the desk. Only important items like the seating plan and a pen should be there.
It’s also nice to have small gifts like mints or balloons for kids when they leave.
Insight: A clean and organised welcome desk not only gives a good first impression but also ensures smooth operations.
Confusing floor plan
In today’s restaurant design, it’s essential to have a clear and open layout. When tables and chairs are packed too tightly, it can be hard for customers and staff to move around.
But, if they’re placed too far apart, diners might feel isolated from the rest of the restaurant.
A good idea is to mix booths with tables.
Place them near walls, by the bar, or spread them out sensibly in open spaces.
This way, there’s enough space for everyone to move freely without any hassle.
You can also check our restaurant interior tips for an idea on how seating capacity can influence the floor plan.
Poor ventilation planning
Many restaurant owners focus on making their places look good. But sometimes, they forget about good air flow. It’s important to have fresh air in both where people eat and where food is cooked. If not done right, it can cause:
- Smoke
- Bad smells
- Excessive heat
Experts in ventilation and air systems can guide you to set up the right air paths to keep the inside cool and fresh.
Mixed messaging
Many eateries choose a specific theme for their interior. For a prime example of thematic consistency, take a look at our Sushi Samurai restaurant design.
For instance, sports-themed places might display pictures of popular sports teams and items like trophies or balls. Italian-themed spots might showcase images of Italian cities as decor.
It’s important to have clear and consistent decorations that match a chosen theme. This appeals to customers.
But, if a restaurant has mismatched themes, it can confuse or even turn away guests. It’s best to pick one theme and decorate in line with that.
Incorrect space planning
Space is valuable in a restaurant. If you don’t use it wisely, especially in areas like storage, preparation, service, and point-of-sale stations, your restaurant won’t run smoothly.
Imagine a kitchen where things are not organised well. It will make the staff work slower, and customers will have to wait longer for their meals.
That means fewer customers can dine in your restaurant each night.
Pro tip: Consider multi-functional equipment for your restaurant. It not only saves space but also reduces costs and increases efficiency.
Ill-designed bathroom doors
Bathroom doors that open inward can be inconvenient for customers. In restaurant design, it’s important to think about small details like this.
Most times, bathrooms can have doors that open outward without any issue. People like this because they don’t need to touch the door handle when they leave.
But if the bathroom must have a door that opens inward, it’s a good idea to keep a bin close to the door inside. Then, customers can throw away the paper they used to touch the handle.
Lack of directional signs inside the restaurant
Clear signs inside a restaurant guide and reassure customers. They show where to find exits, bathrooms, and how to move around the dining area.
Missing these signs can make guests feel lost and unwelcome.
It’s like telling them they have to figure out everything on their own, without any help from the restaurant.
That can make them feel like the restaurant doesn’t care about their comfort.
Easily visible and exposed service areas
Nothing can be more off-putting for diners than catching glimpses of the behind-the-scenes activities in a restaurant.
Imagine seeing a pile of used dishes or dirty linens while enjoying a meal. Such views can spoil the dining experience. It’s essential to have areas for your staff to work, but these should be kept away from the customers’ view.
Consider placing them near the kitchen or perhaps in the corners of the restaurant. This way, the central space remains dedicated to seating and providing a pleasant atmosphere for your guests.
For an example of how to do it right, take a look at our actual food hall design.
Pro tip: Using decorative screens or partitions can be a stylish way to hide service areas while enhancing the restaurant’s overall decor.
Poor quality carpet
Everyone has seen it – a restaurant that looks great but has old, low-quality floor mats.
The floor is as important as the walls. And while the choice of floor material is important in this, the quality of your mats is as important.
So, pick a mat that looks as good as the rest of the restaurant. A simple mat that fits your theme is the best choice.
Pro tip: Always invest in good quality floor mats. They not only enhance the look but also last longer, saving you money in the long run.
Insufficient lighting
Having too little or too strong light can be a problem. Everyone wants to easily read the menu and see their food.
Use a mix of sunlight from windows and lights from lamps. The best light level lets people read menus without trouble.
Avoid very strong lights that make dark areas. Instead, aim for soft and gentle light.
Pro tip: Always check the lighting during the busiest hours of your restaurant. This will help you understand if you need to adjust the light levels for a better dining experience.
Ill-located delivery area
It’s essential to have the delivery area in a spot where it doesn’t disturb the guests – Imagine a delivery person walking through the main entrance while guests are dining!
A good idea is to place the delivery section at the back, close to the kitchen. This way, delivery vehicles won’t disrupt the restaurant’s smooth operation.
A well-planned delivery zone is one where deliveries happen without the guests even realising. Details like these are very important in restaurant interior design.
Pro tip: Always consider the flow of your restaurant when deciding on the location of the delivery area. Keeping it close to the kitchen can make operations smoother and more efficient.
BONUS – 3 restaurant exterior design mistakes to avoid!
The outside look of a restaurant is as important as its inside. A well-maintained exterior with vibrant plants and a fresh coat of paint can attract more customers. Bright outdoor lights and a clean entrance set the mood even before guests step inside. Let’s dive in and learn about some common outside design mistakes to avoid.
Shabby exteriors
A worn-out exterior can give a bad impression, no matter how tasty the food inside might be. If a restaurant appears neglected, many people might choose to go elsewhere.
One simple way to refresh the look is by adding a fresh layer of blacktop to the parking area.
Introducing commercial plants and greenery can also enhance the restaurant’s appeal.
It’s essential to have brighter lights outside than inside during the evening, making the restaurant stand out to those passing by.
Regularly painting the walls, cleaning the windows, replacing any malfunctioning lights, and maintaining the surrounding greenery are crucial.
As a renowned BD restaurant designer we can offer insight into factors like these.
Insufficient parking space
Just like if you have shabby exteriors, if customers can’t find a place to park, they might choose another restaurant.
If there’s space to increase parking, do so.
Offering optional valet parking can be a good choice, depending on the restaurant’s style. And providing both self and also valet parking can boost business and cover the valet service’s cost.
Visible service areas
It’s important to keep areas like trash and used equipment out of customers’ sight. A restaurant should look clean both inside and out.
This includes regularly cleaning and emptying bins, not leaving cleaning mats in view of guests, and ensuring all equipment is tidy.
Bad smells, especially from bins, can be very off-putting.
The only time a customer should see a bin is when they’re outside the main entrance.
11 restaurant design blunders to avoid – main conclusions
As we have explored, designing a restaurant’s interior and exterior requires a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
Avoiding blunders like a cluttered greeting station, poor ventilation planning, and insufficient lighting can help you deliver a first-class dining experience that resonates with customers and wins positive reviews.
If you’re inspired to design an attractive space for your restaurant, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Remember, in the world of hospitality, first impressions are lasting, and a well-designed space is key to success.
