Restaurant Design Inspiration: 10 Transformations We Love
By: Mackenzie
As a restaurant owner, a myriad of factors play into the equation of what draws customers in, and it’s important to acknowledge all of them. Yes, the quality of the food is key. Reviews can build a restaurant’s reputation. And that just-right balance of culinary delight and ambiance matters, too. But at the root, the impression your restaurant gives off starts at the door. As a business owner, never underestimate the power of an inviting restaurant exterior. The tantalizing smells sneaking through the windows might attract customers, but if they turn their heads to follow the smell and it leads them to a drab dwelling, they might lose their appetite. Our designers know how to take on an exterior design for a restaurant and kick up the curb appeal. Read on for some of our favorite transformations.
Realize the potential of your restaurant’s (or home’s) exterior with brick&batten! Whether you’re eager to enhance specific aspects or seeking a complete transformation, our designers offer tailored exterior design ideas and solutions. Explore our virtual exterior design services for more information!
What are the 5 Key Areas to Consider When Designing a Restaurant Exterior?
Your restaurant’s exterior is its billboard, silently beckoning diners and shaping their first impression. But with endless design possibilities, where do you begin? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are the 5 key areas to consider when designing a restaurant exterior that wows:
- Grab attention with stunning restaurant exterior ideas. Think vibrant landscaping, eye-catching signage, and warm lighting that paints an inviting picture. Remember, you only get one chance at a first impression!
- Your modern restaurant exterior design should seamlessly reflect your brand identity. Colors, fonts, and architectural elements should all sing in harmony with your unique story.
- Remember, your guests need easy access to deliciousness. Prioritize a clear entrance, ample parking, and accessible outdoor seating (if you have it) for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
- Sustainable practices are not just trendy, they’re smart! Consider eco-friendly materials and design choices in your restaurant exterior. It’s good for the planet and your wallet!
- Before unleashing your creative vision, ensure it complies with local building codes and zoning regulations. Partnering with a professional can help navigate the permitting process and keep your design dreams grounded in reality.
By keeping these 5 key areas in mind, you can craft a restaurant exterior that’s not just beautiful, but also functional, sustainable, and reflects your brand’s unique spirit.
How do I design my restaurant?
Designing your restaurant involves a strategic approach to form and function, especially regarding the exterior. Start by defining your brand’s identity and how it translates into visual elements. This foundation will guide your choices in colors, materials, and architectural style, ensuring consistency and appeal.
For modern restaurant exterior design ideas, consider incorporating contemporary materials like glass and steel for a sleek look, or wood and stone for a warmer, rustic appeal. Pay attention to landscaping and outdoor features. Green spaces, patios, or rooftop gardens can enhance the dining experience and set your restaurant apart. Lighting is another critical aspect. It should highlight architectural features, ensure safety, and create an inviting ambiance.
Think about the customer’s journey from the parking lot to the dining table. Every aspect of the restaurant exteriors, from signage to the entrance and outdoor seating, should offer a seamless, engaging experience that starts when they see your establishment. By focusing on these elements, you can design a restaurant that looks great and attracts and retains customers.
#1 // A bold facelift
This existing building was painted all white, providing our designers with a blank canvas to work with for this restaurant exterior’s design.
We gave the porte-cochère a modern overhaul featuring a wood ceiling and columns, recessed lighting, and black accents. To ensure the restaurant’s name stands out, we rendered it in large white lettering. We kept the building white but added a pop of color — Benjamin Moore’s Galápagos Turquoise — along the top. We also suggested adding some stone siding around the entry area to make it more of a focal point.
#2 // Warm and welcoming
Family restaurants should be a place where everyone feels welcome and comfortable, and our designers honed in on that inviting vibe with this restaurant exterior’s design. For the restaurant paint colors, we went with a warm off-white — Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster — for the exterior, contrasted with black accents. We added some more warmth with wood accents and the pergola covering the outdoor eating area.
#3 // Revitalized and revamped
This client saw the potential in this abandoned service station and wanted to transform it into a restaurant. Our designers were happy to help! Some of our restaurant exterior ideas include using the existing garage doors to join the indoor and outdoor dining areas and adding a custom awning overtop of the outdoor space. We weaved in plenty of industrial elements, such as the lighting, iron, wood, and the laser-cut restaurant name on the Corten steel sheet atop the entrance.
#4 // Maximize outdoor space
The neutral-colored brick on this building covered a lot of real estate, so our designers reimagined the exterior to bring more contrast to the restaurant design. We suggested a bold color palette with black and turquoise on the right side with a section of white around the entrance. To make the most out of the provided space, we expanded the outdoor seating area and covered it with a roof to offer both shade and protection from the elements. To maintain the bright and fun color scheme, we used a combination of red, black, and white for that section of the building.
#5 // Fun and funky
This restaurant’s exterior was dated and underwhelming, so we gave it a fun, fresh new look. In this exterior design for a restaurant, the eye-catching color palette of the restaurant’s paint colors consists of Benjamin Moore’s Caliente as the main stucco color, with Margarita, also by Benjamin Moore, as an accent, and a bright yellow around the windows and across the top of the metal roof. A double entry door, new windows and light fixtures, plus a large sign with the restaurant’s new name complete this transformation.
#6 // Stand out from the crowd
In this exterior design for a restaurant, our designers completely reinvented this boarded-up, mixed-use building. We appreciated the classic look the red brick offered but wanted a fresher aesthetic, so we painted the brick gray. To make the restaurant design pop among the rest of the businesses in the building, we added some black siding and large paned windows. The light fixtures above the restaurant’s signage also elevate the curb appeal in a subtle way.
#7 // Blueprints brought to life
At brick&batten, we don’t exclusively work on existing buildings. Sometimes, our clients come to us with only a blueprint to build upon. For this restaurant exterior’s design, we worked from a blueprint and created a sleek building with a mix of colors and textures to achieve the modern industrial look the owner desired. We kept the look cohesive on all sides, adding the same mounted light fixtures above the windows and doors.
#8 // Mixed materials
In this exterior design for a restaurant, we used a combination of cladding materials — horizontal wood siding on the left with vertical charcoal-colored panels and stone on the right — to give the restaurant exterior plenty of depth and visual interest. We also added a small, elevated patio space around the entrance to lift this restaurant’s curb appeal to new heights (literally). The patio features an awning with recessed lights, modern columns, and a cable railing.
#9 // Lakeside restaurant design
For this exterior design for a restaurant, we enhanced the exterior of this waterfront eatery to give it a fresh and inviting look. We used a mix of white siding, warm wood decking, and natural elements to embrace the environment. Leaning further into the coastal aura, we added a pop of turquoise for the entry doors.
#10 // Fresh downtown design
The owners of this restaurant, located on the Jersey Shore, wanted to ditch its dated blue and yellow color scheme for something more modern. So our designers gave them a few modern restaurant exterior design ideas to get a fresh update. We recommended Sherwin Williams’ Jogging Path, a timeless, warm greige, for the stucco and Tricorn Black as an accent. A section of wood siding adds warmth, and a new striped awning gives the building some character. We also made sure the restaurant’s revamped (and breathtaking) signage was visible on all sides of the building.
Ready to reimagine your restaurant?
Whether you’re looking to make some updates to refresh your restaurant design or you want to start from nothing and create a breathtaking space, our designers know exactly how to make the most of your eatery’s exterior.
Transform your restaurant with our exterior design services. Elevate your curb appeal and captivate customers. Ready to start? Begin your exterior design for restaurants or businesses today.
Ready to take the leap and overhaul your exterior? Join forces with us, and we’ll assist you in bringing your vision to life. Take the first step today and watch your design dreams become a reality!
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