New Openings
32 Instagrammable Restaurant Decor Ideas
August 25, 2022
This round-up of decor inspiration is all you’ll need to level up your restaurant.
Decor is an important part of a restaurant’s branding and something new concepts should discuss early on in the development process. When picking the “look” for your restaurant, reflecting on your branding is a good place to start followed by consulting popular trends that might fit your vibe. Restaurant design trends are always changing, with Eater most recently reporting that an “optimistic, nostalgic and vacation-obsessed” aesthetic is in.
Decor doesn't just affect the diner experience on-premises. In the age of social media channels like Instagram, it's a key component of driving digital word of mouth. Other than the food itself, amazing decor is one of the most popular types of content people capture and share with their followers.
If you’re not sure how to decorate in a way that captures diner interest, take a look through this round-up of 32 restaurant decor ideas for inspiration on what’s Instagrammable. You’ll have diners posting and tagging you in no time.
1. Plants
Greenery has multiple benefits, including boosting diners’ mood and purifying the air — and in a post-COVID world, what’s better than happy and healthy guests? Additionally, plants bring a pocket of nature and sense of calm into indoor spaces.
2. Large Bouquets
Huge vases of flowers are attention-grabbing and snap-worthy. Floral lovers in particular will enjoy the natural touch, and even those with no flower knowledge can appreciate a well composed bouquet.
3. Murals
Full wall murals are showstoppers in the restaurant space. They grab the attention of guests, add color and creativity to the setting, offer the chance to highlight local artists and create a memorable element for your walls.
4. Statement Wall
A statement wall — or accent wall — is a singular canvas that differentiates itself from the rest of the wall colors. It’s a chance to play around with different textures, patterns and shapes and incorporate imagery that connects to your concept.
5. Gallery Wall
Reminiscent of childhood homes with a collage of family photos, gallery walls create a lovely homeyness. Mirrors, framed artwork, plates, clocks, hats, maps and trinkets are all great additions to a gallery wall.
6. Wall Quotes
Looking for a way to generate lots of photos of your restaurant? A cheeky quote will do the trick. Diners will definitely want to snap a pic and post it. Pick a phrase that feels true to your brand and work with a designer to figure out the best typography.
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7. Patterned Wallpaper
Wallpaper is back in. Whether you select traditional florals, geometric patterns, chinoiserie or tiles, the right wallpaper can tie almost any room together — and even become a conversation piece.
8. Multidimensional Art
Mixed media and 3-D artwork stand out on walls, and they are a chance to harness your creativity and think outside the box. In this example, Mexican restaurant Taco Azul features a wall of ornamental corn on the cob.
9. Mirrors
Using mirrors to reflect back the space is a trick that can make your restaurant appear larger. Additionally, you can dress up a wall by creating a mix of different mirror types with multiple shapes and sizes.
10. Ceiling Art
Looking up to find art is a delightful, unexpected surprise for diners. Charm your guests with a mural on the ceiling, and it will become the prime subject for lots of photos.
11. Textured Ceiling
If your restaurant has many windows, you'll want to consider a ceiling that captures the eye. Since there aren’t as many walls to grab your attention, playing around with texture on the ceiling helps add depth to the space.
12. Neon Signs
Neon signs are having a moment, and it’s easy to see why. A catchy phrase, fun quote or your restaurant name are options to consider when choosing your signage. In terms of most popular colors, signs are often seen in pinks, purples and blues.
13. Unique Lighting
Using standard lighting is fine, but it’s a missed opportunity to add to the ambiance.. Custom fixtures, visible bulbs and unique structures make your restaurant’s lights distinctive.
14. Large Lighting
Big, bold lighting can fill large spaces — especially ones with high ceilings. A heavy and wide installation can bring a robust energy to your aesthetic.
15. Chandeliers
Chandeliers are a type of large lighting, but they deserve their own category. Dazzling and incredibly decorative, chandeliers bring a certain glitz and glam to the room. When hung high in the air or placed in front of mirrors, they become absolutely mesmerizing.
16. Communal Seating
A large table with 10+ seats can be an eye-catching furniture centerpiece. It’s a great way for fellow guests to mingle, and it offers opportunities for tabletop decorations like flower arrangements and candles.
17. Stained Glass
If the words “stained glass” evoke visions of a church, it’s time to rethink this thousand-year-old craft. Cathedrals often do boast this adornment, but these windows have made their way into restaurants for many years too.
18. Merchandise Display
Just like decor is an extension of your brand, so is restaurant merchandise — and what better way to showcase them than combining the two? There’s a way to set up a display without it looking gaudy, and super fans of your concept will love seeing branded merch openly visible.
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19. Chair Hooks
Anyone with a purse knows how helpful a hook can be on your seat. It’s also a great spot to hang umbrellas, jackets and shopping bags. Diners will appreciate the extra storage available to them, especially something that keeps their belongings off of the floor! Bonus points if the design of the hooks feels integrated with the rest of the concept.
20. Striped Bar Chairs
Bars are often the focal point of a restaurant, and eye-catching stripes on the seats can really make the area pop. The vertical lines make the chairs appear longer and higher, adding an elevated feel to the bar seating.
21. Mini Hideaways
A semi-secluded space in the main dining room gives guests the feeling of privacy without missing all of the action. Corner nooks and custom-built dens are a few ways to achieve these types of hiding places.
22. Banquette Seating
Long benches create a sense of grandeur in the space. Pick from fabric options like leather and velvet and styles like ruching and pintuck button detailing.
23. Gas Fireplace
Keep your guests warm throughout fall, winter and spring — and even those chilly summer nights — with a gas fireplace. They’re cozy, quaint and charming. Plus, they make a great backdrop for a restaurant photo.
24. Funky Bathrooms
Main dining rooms aren’t the only place where you should keep decor in mind. Cater to your guests who love a good bathroom selfie and outfit your wash room with colors, lighting, murals and mirrors that warrant a must-have picture.
25. Twinkling Lights
If you offer outdoor dining, string lights are the coziest addition to an al fresco setting — and there’s a way to add them that doesn’t scream “college dorm.” The accessory brings warmth and a delicate glow to decks, patios and sidewalk seating.
26. White Aesthetic
An all-white aesthetic is super modern and trendy these days. It’s clean, bright and happy. Consider the color white when choosing wall color, countertops, chairs, tables, dishware and more.
27. Brown Aesthetic
A brown-centric space can include a lot of wood — wood tables, wood chairs, wood beams — and it’s making a comeback in 2022. It’s earthy and grounding, which gives guests a calming sensation. Unlike white, it’s also a warm color.
28. Bright Colors
If your restaurant brand is playful or retro, vibrant shades can make a splash. In this example, a color palette of coral, turquoise, pistachio, orange and pink really pops.
29. Visible Wine Cellar
Have a large collection of wine? Show off your selections with a glass-doored wine cellar that’s right in the dining room. Guests will enjoy seeing the bottles. Plus, it creates easy access for your servers and sommelier.
30. DJ Booth
Cocktail bars and restaurants that want great acoustics might install a DJ Booth, like the sound wall seen here. A diffusion wall, acoustic panels and speaker system can also add value, though they may be overkill for certain restaurants. Still, it’s a good idea to analyze and invest in an audio setup that works for you.
31. Tabletop Lamps
Lighting doesn’t always hang from the ceiling. Tabletop lamps can brighten a dark room and give it an illuminating vibe. Just make sure the lamp shade, bulb and body you select matches the other decor in the room.
32. Adorned Columns
Give a nod to ancient architecture with embellishments on your columns. Whether you add scones, artwork, greenery, mirrors, woodwork, ropes or clay sculptures, take the opportunity to adorn the posts with creative decorations that showcase your brand.
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