August 15th, 2012

Creating a Relaxed Atmosphere for Your Restaurant

There is nothing worse than going for a meal at a restaurant that is a stressful place to be. Whether it is the service, the setup, or the lighting, eating somewhere that isn’t a relaxing place can easily ruin a meal. If you run a restaurant and want for your customers to not only love the food, but also to come back again, make sure you gear your restaurant towards being as relaxing as possible. The following is a look at some of the ways you can relax the vibe at your restaurant.

Music

One of the best ways to create a relaxing vibe is with music, because people will hear it as soon as they come in, and you will be helping your guests to relax straight away. Steer clear of anything with lyrics that may be considered offensive, and play it loud enough to hear, but not so loud that it makes conversation difficult. For an extra classy touch, have a live musician perform in your restaurant, but for the most part, have them playing at a low volume off to the side somewhere, rather than in people’s faces while they are trying to eat.

Seating

The more comfortable the seating in your restaurant, the more relaxing it will be for your guests, so make sure your bar chairs, cafe stools and even high chairs all feel great to sit in. Having some space between your tables and chairs can help a lot too, because it can be hard to relax when you feel like you don’t have any privacy.

Service

The style of service you provide will often be the clincher when it comes to how relaxing your restaurant is, because even if you have gone to a lot of trouble to create a relaxing vibe, if your staff are tense, the experience will be too. It isn’t easy finding staff that can handle a fast pace while keeping a relaxed energy about them, but be patient and you will find them.

As much as you can, try to be relaxed with your staff, because the more relaxed you can be when dealing with them, the easier it will be for them to stay relaxed. Providing your staff with some extra training and helping them become experts at their job will also help, because the more confident they are, the easier relaxation will come.

Plants

A great way to promote a feeling of relaxation in your restaurant is with plants, as plants will add a splash of natural colour, help clean the air and even act as a privacy screen. The living energy of plants will also help make your restaurant feel far more positive.

Art

Your art will go a long way towards establishing the mood in your restaurant, so choose your themes and colours carefully and steer clear of anything too provocative. Your art should look great without standing out too much, and with a few of the right pieces your restaurant will feel warm, welcoming and relaxing.