How to Maintain the Appeal of Your Restaurant's Interior (Affordably)

Many new operators get into the business by purchasing an existing restaurant. In this case, they are banking on maintaining and on the success of a going concern. In addition to the previous owner's success, however, they are also likely to inherent worn decor and fixtures that will need repair and update.

Even if your startup is a new concept with a brand new interior, daily traffic and time can take its toll. You need to budget for ongoing repairs and updates to keep your restaurant as relevant and inviting next year as it is today.

The good news is that these projects don't have to take a big bite out of your budget if you stay on top of them and apply a little ingenuity, say the pros. From lighting to furniture and art, restroom renovations, and even simply painting, refurbishing a restaurant's interior "can be done affordably," says Laura Leal, founder and design director of Leal Studios in Dallas, Texas, which recently designed Dallas' Mercat Bistro.

A Fresh Coat

"First and foremost, the interior should look clean and fresh, which is why it is important to add a new coat of paint every year or two," says Jared Flowers, senior consultant with National Restaurant Consultants, which has offices in Denver, Colorado, and Phoenix, Arizona.

Echoing his advice is Paolo Alavian, the owner of Altesi Madison and Altesi Downtown in New York City. He cautions operators not to wait too long to do a makeover. He recommends repainting every two or three years.

Flowers and his colleagues routinely apply a fresh coat of paint and have switched to LED lightbulbs in almost all of their restaurants. Paint is inexpensive, he notes, and can be done during non-operating hours so as not to affect the guest. "Energy-efficient bulbs are expensive, but ultimately pay for themselves in a very short amount of time. Plus, [the lighting characteristics] give a fresh new look to any space."

Hildegard Dorn-Petersen, CEO of Hotel Consult, a global restaurant consultancy based in Germany, points out that fresh and vibrant colors play a critical role in the long-term success of a restaurant. "One or two buckets of wall paint can bring brightness and sun into a room."

Some important updates for operators to make, suggests John Cameron, vice president of operational services of Lennys Grill & Subs in Memphis, Tennessee, include new color schemes that reflect the brand's direction. An interior designer can help with this process. If you are changing your menu offerings, adding a day part, or chasing a younger market, the most eloquent statement of your commitment to change might be your four walls.