Designing a successful restaurant or café goes far beyond stylish décor. It’s about creating an environment that tells your brand’s story, enhances the dining experience, and functions effortlessly for staff and customers alike. At Design for Me, while we’re best known for matching clients with residential designers, we also help independent restaurant and café owners find talented, affordable interior designers with the commercial experience to deliver smart, creative spaces on a budget.
Whether you’re opening a new eatery or giving a dated space a fresh new look, an experienced restaurant interior designer can add huge value – especially when space and budget are tight.
Why Hire an Interior Designer for a Restaurant or Café?
When it comes to hospitality design, the details matter. An interior designer can help you balance customer experience, staff needs, branding, and operational flow all within one cohesive environment. Here’s how a designer can add value to your project:
- Maximise seating and space without compromising comfort or accessibility
- Improve service flow for wait staff and kitchen access
- Reinforce your brand identity through materials, layout and lighting
- Create ambience that draws customers in – and keeps them coming back
- Stay compliant with regulations for ventilation, fire exits and accessibility
👉 Learn more: What do interior designers do?
How to Design a Restaurant or Café: Start With a Solid Brief
Writing a thoughtful brief will help your designer understand your goals, values, and operational needs from day one. Here’s what to consider when preparing your design brief for a restaurant or café project:
1. Concept and Brand Identity
What’s your theme, ethos, or story? Whether you’re a rustic bakery, sleek sushi bar, or plant-based brunch spot, your interior should bring your brand to life. Consider how you want people to feel in the space: relaxed, energised, cosy, inspired?
2. Layout and Capacity
How many covers are you aiming for? Do you need multiple zones (e.g. grab-and-go, seated dining, private events)? Think about front-of-house vs. back-of-house flow for both customers and staff.
3. Lighting Design
Lighting makes or breaks atmosphere in hospitality spaces:
- Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create depth and mood.
- Think warm, dimmable lighting for evening dining and brighter tones for daytime cafés.
- Consider natural light and how your design will work across the day.
4. Acoustics and Comfort
Hard surfaces can create noise problems; materials like acoustic panels, fabric seating, or soft finishes can help. Comfortable seating and layout spacing are essential for a relaxing experience.
5. Electrical and Kitchen Services
Plan early for electrical, water, and ventilation needs, especially if relocating or adding kitchen equipment. Power outlets, lighting circuits, music systems, and data cabling all need to be mapped out early.
6. Accessibility and Regulations
Include accessible entrances, restrooms, and clear routes between tables. Your designer can help navigate fire safety and building control requirements.
7. Flexibility and Future-Proofing
Can the space easily adapt for seasonal menus, events, or takeaway services? Modular furniture or flexible zoning can help you evolve over time.
How Much Does a Restaurant Interior Designer Cost?
Costs can vary depending on the complexity of the design, but even small-scale projects can benefit from professional input. While most pricing guides focus on residential projects, they still offer a useful benchmark.
👉 Read: How much do interior designers cost?
At Design for Me:
- Posting a project is free
- Getting matched with designers is free
- You’ll receive tailored quotes based on your space, goals and budget
This allows you to explore your options before committing to any design fees.
Finding the Right Restaurant or Café Interior Designer
You don’t need a big agency or large commercial budget to find excellent design talent. In fact, freelancers and small studios are often more flexible, creative, and budget-conscious – making them ideal for independent restaurant and café owners.
👉 Explore: How to choose an interior designer
What Services Can a Restaurant Interior Designer Provide?
Depending on your needs and budget, your designer might help with:
- Space planning and zoning
- Mood boards and concept visuals
- Lighting and furniture selection
- Electrical and kitchen layout coordination
- Signage and menu board design
- Help with building regs, fire safety and planning (if required)
- Sourcing trades and managing installation
Start Your Restaurant or Café Design Project Today
At Design for Me, we connect small business owners with skilled, independent interior designers who know how to make tight spaces and tight budgets work. Whether you’re creating a buzz-worthy new opening or simply want to refresh your dining space, the right designer can elevate the experience for your customers and staff alike.
💡 Top tip: Share a pinterest board, floorplans, and your budget upfront to get faster, more accurate quotes from designers.
👉 Post your restaurant or café project for free and get matched with interior designers who are the perfect fit — creatively and financially.
Emily
