Looking for small restaurant decoration ideas that won’t break the bank? Transforming your restaurant doesn’t have to be costly or complex. By incorporating elements like indoor plants, statement walls, and creative lighting, you can significantly enhance the ambiance without overspending. Be it reusing the modified old furniture or showcasing local art, these budget-friendly strategies not only beautify your space but also attract more customers. Let us know the practical ideas and discover how small changes can make a big impact on your restaurant’s atmosphere!
Small Restaurant Decoration Ideas
1. Bring in More Indoor Plants
If you are looking for cheap restaurant decoration ideas for your restaurant, it is best to glorify your place by introducing indoor plants. Indoor plants in hotels and restaurants are very popular these days. To give the surroundings a natural touch, most of your favorite restaurants have added indoor plants to their places if you search for them in your neighborhood.
The cheapest plant from a nursery can be added to the entrance area of your restaurant to make it look beautiful. Hanging plants can be hung at various prominent locations throughout the restaurant.
Best Ideas:
- Vertical Gardens: Install a vertical garden on one wall to create a lush, green backdrop without taking up floor space.
- Herb Planters: Use small planters for culinary herbs that can double as fresh ingredients for your kitchen, adding both decor and functionality.
- Miniature Succulent Gardens: Place small succulent gardens on tables or countertops for low-maintenance greenery.
- Hanging Planter Installations: Create artistic hanging planter installations with varied heights and styles for added visual interest.
- Themed Plant Areas: Designate specific areas of the restaurant for different plant themes, such as tropical plants, desert plants, or aromatic herbs.
Benefits:
- Improved Air Quality: Plants help to purify the air, creating a healthier dining environment.
- Stress Reduction: Greenery can reduce stress and enhance the mood of both staff and customers.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Plants add a natural, inviting touch to the decor, making the space more visually appealing.
- Increased Customer Comfort: A pleasant, plant-filled environment can make customers feel more relaxed and at ease.
- Eco-Friendly Image: Incorporating plants promotes an eco-friendly image, which can attract environmentally conscious customers.
2. Create A Statement Wall
These days, statement walls and featured walls are trending, and they do not have to cost much to install. A statement wall is the one where you can even paint as per your wish. You can create statement walls with abstract designs that look unique and grab people’s attention. Along with the abstract painting, you can add a perplexing statement.
The job can also be accomplished with a couple of cool wallpapers. It is one of the best low-budget unique restaurant themes that can help you enhance your business in no time. Invest a few dollars in this idea, and it will completely transform the restaurant’s appearance.
Best Ideas:
- Photo Collages: Create a collage of customer photos or local landmarks to personalize the space.
- Textured Wall Panels: Use textured wall panels or 3D wallpaper to add depth and interest.
- Art Installations: Commission local artists to create large-scale art pieces or murals.
- Themed Wall Decals: Apply removable wall decals that can be easily changed with seasons or promotions.
- Interactive Walls: Incorporate interactive elements, such as chalkboard sections for guest messages or drawings.
Benefits:
- Visual Impact: A statement wall acts as a focal point, drawing customers’ attention and creating a memorable impression.
- Brand Identity: Custom designs and artwork can reinforce your restaurant’s brand and theme.
- Increased Social Media Engagement: Unique walls can become popular photo spots, boosting social media exposure.
- Cost-Effective Revamp: Updating or changing a statement wall is often more affordable than a complete renovation.
- Customer Engagement: Interactive or visually striking walls can encourage customers to spend more time in your restaurant.
3. Place Some Mirrors
Another incredibly effective idea is to add mirrors to your restaurant. You can use mirrors of various sizes, shapes and styles to add diversity to your restaurant.
Mirrors can also be used to make a feature wall using distinct patterns. It depends on your aesthetics how you will use mirrors in your restaurant, but you can use this minimal-budget idea to make your restaurant stand out.
Best Ideas:
- Mirror Gallery Wall: Arrange a collection of mirrors in various frames and sizes to create a gallery wall effect.
- Mirrored Furniture: Use furniture with mirrored surfaces, like tables or cabinets, to add elegance and reflect light.
- Mirror Tiles: Install mirrored tiles in specific areas to add texture and light reflection.
- Backlit Mirrors: Use backlighting behind mirrors to create a dramatic effect.
- Decorative Mirror Frames: Choose ornate or custom frames that match your restaurant’s theme for added style.
Benefits:
- Spatial Illusion: Mirrors can make small spaces appear larger and more open.
- Enhanced Lighting: They reflect light around the room, improving overall brightness.
- Visual Interest: Mirrors add a sophisticated touch and can act as conversation pieces.
- Design Flexibility: Mirrors can be used in various ways to suit different design aesthetics.
- Easily Updated: Changing or rearranging mirrors is a simple way to refresh the look of your space.
4. Unique shelving
Installing different colour shelves that contrast with your restaurant’s walls and ceiling can be the best idea for your restaurant. Once you install these shelves, you can decorate them as you like. The place can even look more impressive if you add a few books or other similar items. You can also invest in some distinctive personalized storage, which will instantly transform the look of your place.
This is one of the best restaurant interior design ideas for a low budget if you do not have any plants at the entrance. You can place some mini flower plants on the shelves to give the restaurant a refreshing look.
Best Ideas:
- Floating Shelves: Install floating shelves for a sleek, modern look that saves floor space.
- Themed Shelving Units: Create shelves that fit specific themes, such as nautical or industrial, to complement your restaurant’s decor.
- Shelves with Built-In Lighting: Incorporate LED lighting into shelves to highlight displayed items.
- Rotating Displays: Use rotating shelves or turntables for dynamic, eye-catching displays.
- Shelving Dividers: Utilize shelving units to divide space within larger areas, creating distinct zones or sections.
Benefits:
- Increased Storage: Shelves provide additional storage and display space for decorative items or products.
- Customizable Displays: They offer a flexible way to showcase seasonal or promotional items.
- Visual Appeal: Unique shelving can enhance the aesthetic of your restaurant and draw attention.
- Functional Decor: Shelving can be both decorative and practical, serving multiple purposes.
- Space Efficiency: Creative shelving solutions can maximize space utilization in small or oddly shaped areas.
5. Ambient Lighting
If you add fairy lights to your restaurant, it will instantly brighten up your place. Also, you can have these small fairy lights placed on your restaurant’s ceiling along with the hanging plants or next to some other decorative stuff.
It is one of the most suitable and budget-friendly ideas you can implement for your restaurant
Best Ideas:
- Color-Changing Lights: Use LED lights that can change color to match different moods or events.
- Pendant Lights: Install pendant lights with unique designs over tables or bar areas to create focal points.
- Table Lamps: Add stylish table lamps to tables or side areas for added warmth and charm.
- LED Strip Lights: Use LED strip lights under shelves or along edges to create a subtle, modern glow.
- Candlelight: Incorporate candles or faux candles to enhance the ambiance with a touch of romance or coziness.
Benefits:
- Atmosphere Creation: Ambient lighting helps set the mood and atmosphere, making the dining experience more enjoyable.
- Highlighting Features: It can highlight architectural features or decor elements effectively.
- Enhanced Mood: Proper lighting can influence the mood and comfort level of customers, potentially increasing their time spent and spending.
- Flexible Ambiance: Adjustable lighting options allow for different settings, from casual dining to special events.
- Visual Warmth: Warm lighting creates a welcoming and cozy environment, making the restaurant feel more inviting.
6. Use Modified Furniture
It is one of the best cheap restaurant design ideas to buy used or old furniture for your restaurant if your budget is too low to buy new furniture.
The furniture should be in good condition and comfortable for your customers. You can also get upholstery services from Design furniture to revive the old furniture and make it more cozy.
Best Ideas:
- Refurbished Chairs and Tables: Source old chairs and tables, sand them down, and repaint or stain them for a fresh look.
- Customized Upholstery: Reupholster old furniture with trendy fabrics or patterns to match your restaurant’s theme or color scheme.
- Mix and Match Styles: Combine different styles of refurbished furniture to create an eclectic and unique atmosphere.
- Furniture with Built-In Storage: Look for old furniture pieces with hidden storage to add functionality.
- Repurposed Furniture: Use repurposed items, like old ladders or crates, as shelving units or decorative elements.
Benefits:
- Cost Savings: Using and refurbishing old furniture is typically much cheaper than buying new.
- Unique Character: Modified furniture often has a unique look and character that new furniture cannot replicate.
- Sustainability: Refurbishing and repurposing furniture is an environmentally friendly choice that reduces waste.
- Customizable: You have more control over the design and can tailor the furniture to fit your specific aesthetic needs.
- Increased Comfort: Updating old furniture with new upholstery or padding can enhance comfort while maintaining a vintage appeal.
7. Wall Art & Murals
Hire an artist to create a mural or graffiti-style wall art in addition to a gallery wall to showcase local talent. A photo-worthy backdrop encourages guests to take selfies and photos, which increases your publicity in the form of user-generated content. If you don’t have room for mural-sized artwork inside, make a mural on the exterior!
Best Ideas:
- Interactive Art Installations: Incorporate interactive elements, like chalkboard sections or magnetic boards, that allow customers to engage with the art.
- Rotating Art Exhibits: Feature rotating exhibits of different local artists to keep the decor fresh and engaging.
- Themed Murals: Create murals that tie into your restaurant’s theme or menu to strengthen your brand identity.
- Photo Booth Wall: Design a specific area with props and backdrops for customers to take selfies or group photos.
- Seasonal Art: Change the art based on seasons or holidays to keep the space dynamic and relevant.
Benefits:
- Enhanced Ambiance: Artistic elements create a visually stimulating environment, enhancing the dining experience.
- Increased Social Media Engagement: Eye-catching art encourages customers to take photos and share their experiences online.
- Local Support: Featuring local artists can build community ties and attract patrons interested in supporting local talent.
- Brand Identity: Custom murals and art can reflect your restaurant’s theme and brand, making it more memorable.
- Versatility: Art and murals can be adapted or updated easily to fit different themes or seasonal changes.
8. Decide on a theme
If you think a theme will work well for your restaurant design, choose one that isn’t too trendy because it will look outdated in a few years. Themes have a reputation for being over the top, but they don’t have to be. Try to incorporate your theme in a modern way, like Ladybird’s 1970s-style summer camp theme, which reflects its menu or brand.
Best Ideas:
- Historical Themes: Incorporate historical or vintage elements that provide a timeless appeal without being overly trendy.
- Cuisine-Based Themes: Design the space around the cuisine you offer, such as a Mediterranean-inspired decor for a Greek restaurant.
- Cultural Themes: Reflect different cultures in the decor to enhance the authenticity of the dining experience.
- Conceptual Themes: Create a theme around a specific concept, like sustainability or innovation, to align with your restaurant’s values.
- Hybrid Themes: Combine elements from multiple themes to create a unique and modern interpretation.
Benefits:
- Consistent Branding: A well-chosen theme helps create a cohesive and recognizable brand identity.
- Enhanced Atmosphere: A theme can set the mood and enhance the dining experience by immersing customers in a particular ambiance.
- Customer Attraction: A unique theme can attract customers looking for a distinctive dining experience.
- Creative Flexibility: Themes offer creative direction while still allowing for personalization and adaptation.
- Memorable Experience: A strong theme can make your restaurant more memorable, encouraging repeat visits.
9. Make it Minimalistic
Think clean lines, natural materials, and a simple color scheme if you want a less-is-more vibe. Just remember that a simple approach can sometimes be more difficult since every detail matters.
Miriam is an excellent example of modern minimalism. Their balanced approach to design creates a welcoming and contemporary environment.
Best Ideas:
- Streamlined Furniture: Use simple, sleek furniture with clean lines and minimal ornamentation.
- Neutral Color Palette: Opt for neutral colors like whites, greys, and beiges to create a calm, uncluttered space.
- Simple Table Settings: Choose minimalistic tableware and decor to maintain the clean aesthetic.
- Functional Design: Focus on functional design elements that serve a purpose without excess.
- Natural Elements: Incorporate natural materials like wood, stone, or metal to add texture without clutter.
Benefits:
- Calming Atmosphere: Minimalistic design creates a serene and uncluttered environment, enhancing relaxation.
- Easy Maintenance: Fewer decorative elements mean less cleaning and maintenance.
- Timeless Appeal: Simple, clean designs tend to be less prone to becoming outdated compared to more elaborate styles.
- Focus on Food: A minimalistic setting places the emphasis on the food and dining experience rather than the decor.
- Versatility: Minimalistic spaces can easily adapt to different uses or changes in decor trends.
10. Feature Local Artists
If you want to connect with your community and liven up your decor, consider featuring local artists and their work on your walls. Many local artists will likely be willing to let you display their artwork for free in exchange for exposure to their craft. This would benefit you and the local artists.
Additional Ideas:
- Art Showcases: Host regular art shows or exhibitions featuring different local artists to keep the decor dynamic.
- Art-Based Events: Organize events like artist talks, workshops, or live painting sessions to engage the community.
- Collaborative Projects: Partner with local artists on special projects or installations that reflect your restaurant’s theme.
- Artist Spotlights: Dedicate specific areas of the restaurant to spotlight individual artists, rotating every few months.
- Art Sales: Offer artworks for sale directly in the restaurant, with a percentage of proceeds going to the artists.
Benefits:
- Community Engagement: Featuring local artists fosters a connection with the community and supports local talent.
- Unique Decor: Local art provides unique and personalized decor that distinguishes your restaurant from others.
- Increased Interest: Art displays can attract customers interested in local culture and art, enhancing foot traffic.
- Mutual Promotion: Collaboration with artists provides mutual promotion opportunities, benefiting both the restaurant and the artists.
- Dynamic Environment: Rotating artworks and exhibitions keeps the decor fresh and engaging for repeat customers.
Conclusion
These are the best small restaurant decoration ideas to beautify your space on a budget. Try incorporating indoor plants, a striking statement wall, or mirrors to add depth and charm. Don’t overlook the potential of refurbished furniture and unique shelving for a personalized touch. Ambient lighting can set the perfect mood while featuring local artists boosts community engagement and decor. Experiment with these ideas to transform your restaurant into a standout destination, and enjoy the positive impact on your customer experience and brand identity.
Also read:
13 Best Modern Restaurant Interior Design Ideas | Cafe Seating Ideas
7 Elements of Restaurant Design Interior : Designing Your Taste!
