Restaurant Renovation Ideas to Charm Your Customers

Restaurants need regular updates to maintain their aesthetic appeal and functionality. If you're a restaurant owner, one of the challenges of maintaining your business is deciding which updates are most necessary or helpful. Knowing the options and considering the condition of your restaurant makes the job easier. 

Whatever your remodeling goals, it's important to hire an experienced commercial contractor in Connecticut. Working with an experienced contractor can reduce stress, streamline your remodeling process, and help ensure high-quality results. 

Update the Dining Area

Restaurant dining areas are subjected to wear and tear every day, so many restaurant owners choose to update their dining area every ten years or so. There are many ways this can be done. 

Functional Updates

Consider the condition of your restaurant's floor, walls, tables, and chairs. Are they scuffed, scratched, worn down, or faded? Are your old booths cracked or sagging from many years of use? Replacing and repairing these features can refresh your dining area. 

• Install durable, waterproof flooring like luxury vinyl tile or luxury vinyl plank. 
• Replace furniture with high-quality, easy-to-clean options. Consider comfort as well as style.
• Repaint walls with colors that hide scuffs and smears.

Aesthetic Improvements

Updating your restaurant's style can attract new customers while creating a pleasant space for existing customers. Select new colors for your dining area, or consider installing new artwork on the walls. This is also an opportunity to align the aesthetic in the dining area with your restaurant's brand. Consider colors that match your restaurant's sign or logo, and use custom signage to reinforce that logo.

Create Zones

Consider creating different spaces for different purposes. Here are some examples of options you can consider for your restaurant:

• Create a lounge area for small parties that stop in for drinks.
• Install a lunch counter for couples or singles who come in for a quick bite.
• Use screens to create private or romantic spaces.
• Install a room for parties to rent.

Update Lighting

Lighting matters in restaurant spaces. If your restaurant's lighting is lacking, now is the time to make changes. Warm, layered lighting with dimmer switches makes it easy to create ambiance for your customers. Enhance natural light in your dining room by installing large windows, skylights, and mirrors. 

Create Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining areas can attract big crowds at the right times of year. If you'd like to install outdoor dining at your restaurant, there's a lot to think about in the planning stages. Work with an architect and experienced contractor to make your outdoor dining area a success. Here are some features to consider:

• Heating and cooling elements: Connecticut summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold and icy. Installing outdoor heaters and misting systems can help keep customers comfortable at various times of year.
• Shade and protection from elements: Consider canvas covers, umbrellas, or a well-placed pergola to provide partial shelter for restaurant customers. Retractable covers provide the greatest flexibility, allowing you to control shade and shelter at each table. Windbreaks and planters also offer some protection. 
• Durable furniture and flooring: Install furniture that can withstand exposure to high temperatures and harsh weather. Choose a flooring material like pavers or concrete that can withstand high heat, rain, and snow. If building a deck, use a composite decking material. 
• Lighting for all conditions: Outdoor dining at night is possible with the right lighting. Consider lanterns and string lights to create an intimate outdoor space. 
• Noise control: Street noises can intrude upon outdoor dining spaces. Install a structure like a wall or fence to provide some protection from loud sounds. 

Consider a Chic Bathroom Update

Your restaurant's bathroom should be just as up-to-date as the dining area. If your bathroom hasn't gone touchless yet, this is the perfect opportunity. Automatic faucets and soap dispensers are convenient and hygienic for customers and staff. 

Replace hard-to-maintain materials with easy-to-clean surfaces that resist moisture and stains. Engineered stone and sealed concrete are both easy to clean and attractive. 

Bright, layered light can help make your bathroom appear clean and attractive. Choose flattering light to make the experience in your bathroom a better one for customers. 

During the remodel, some functional aspects of your bathroom may require updates. Your contractor can help you decide if your bathroom exhaust system, for example, is adequate for the space. A good exhaust is required to control odors and moisture. 

If it's been a long time since you last updated your bathroom, you may need to address ADA compliance issues. This could involve adding bathrooms or changing the stall configuration in your existing bathroom. ADA compliance can increase the cost of your remodel. Choose a contractor with a code specialist who can help you through this process. 

Increase Kitchen Capacity

Increasing kitchen capacity can increase the number of customers you can service at once, reduce wait times in the dining room, or give your customers more choices. There are many ways to increase the capacity of your kitchen, including:

• Double up on appliances like ovens or fryers.
• Reconfigure kitchen layout for optimal efficiency.
• Install high-speed appliances for faster turnaround. 

Choose an architect and a commercial contractor with experience redesigning kitchens. Working with industry professionals who have experience in this field can help you make informed decisions that enhance your kitchen's functionality, ultimately benefiting your customers.  

Start Your Renovation With Litchfield Builders

There are so many outstanding ways that you can renovate a restaurant to make it a better place to eat. Renovations can attract new customers and breathe new life into businesses. If your business is ready for this kind of change, start by finding the right team of professionals to help with the job. Download our free guide to hiring a Connecticut contractor.