How do commercial establishments achieve that high-end luxury feel that turns first-time visitors into loyal patrons who can't get enough of what they have to offer?
Before we begin on how to design a luxury restaurant that stands out from the rest, let's first start by defining luxury settings, the psychology behind fine dining, and how establishments have evolved in a more competitive landscape.
What Is Luxury Restaurant Interior Design?
When guests choose a place to book, they consider more than just what's on the plate. After all, fine dining is an immersive experience that's supposed to tickle all the senses of your guests. A wonderful setting is one of the three main elements that takes the dining experience from ‘average’ to guests saying "take my money!" The other two elements are delicious, well-presented food and friendly service.
Luxury interior design focuses on creating a luxurious and opulent environment. It's often a reflection of the restaurant owner's discerning tastes, but there are seven essential ingredients for luxury interior design, these are:
- Comfortable and intuitive layout
- High-quality, comfortable furnishings
- Fine details — this is where establishments can really stand out!
- Personalised touches — these could be pieces that reflect the owner's personal, unique taste
- Finishing touches — such as fresh florals and candles
- Layered lighting — getting this right can truly elevate your restaurant's interior
- A consistent theme
Pictured: Eline Restaurant, London with a mixture of our wooden dining chairs
The Psychology Behind Fine Dining
Fine dining is all about the experience and giving guests an unforgettable, pleasant experience that they won't get anywhere else. If your restaurant or café can achieve this, there's no way that it could fail. When your guests enter a fine dining establishment, they want to feel valued and important. For example, many traditional luxury restaurants have a theme inspired by regency, making guests feel like they have entered a royal setting. There's detailing on the walls and ceilings inspired by royal courts and palaces, such as frescos and chandeliers that shimmer in the light.
The right attention to detail, from the direction of lighting to the weight of the cutlery, when put together correctly, can elevate the aura and feeling of sophistication for your diners.
This psychological impact is further enhanced when guests feel a sense of exclusivity and intimacy in their dining space. The careful placement of tables, the subtle acoustics that allow for private conversation, and the thoughtful selection of materials all contribute to creating an atmosphere of refined luxury. These elements work in harmony to make each guest feel as though they're experiencing something truly special and unique.
How Fine Dining Has Evolved
Fine dining has evolved to be more of a spectrum, from cosy and elegant wine bars in exclusive London neighbourhoods to castles in Switzerland. Fine dining has evolved from the rigid formality of French haute cuisine to a diverse landscape of culinary experiences, which reflect broader cultural shifts, technological advancements, and changing customer preferences.
These days, many fine dining restaurants offer Nouvelle Cuisine, which features smaller, lighter foods that are well-prepared and use seasonal produce to make the plates look like art.
This shift towards artistic presentation and lighter portions reflects modern diners' appreciation for both visual appeal and healthier eating habits. The evolution has also seen a rise in sustainable practices, with many luxury establishments proudly showcasing their farm-to-table connections and eco-friendly initiatives. This modern interpretation of fine dining maintains the core elements of luxury while adapting to contemporary sensibilities.
Pictured: Tappo Enoteca Wine bar with a mixture of our solid wood bar stools
How To Design A Luxury Restaurant Or Café
Now that we understand what luxury interior design consists of and the psychology behind fine dining, it's time to start putting what we know into action and deliver a comfortable, pleasant dining experience for your customers.
Define Your Restaurant's Concept and Theme — Understand Your Dream Customer
Before you or your commercial interior designer start drawing up initial concepts, start by first getting to know your customer! When you understand who it is you're targeting, you can tailor a scheme that's directly for your audience. Many restaurants and cafés fall into the trap of thinking they know who their ideal customers are, and that's where most independent restaurants and cafés get it wrong! In the UK, up to 60% close their doors in their first year.
With high competition and running costs, you can't afford to get it wrong. That's why your interior (and your other offerings) need to be tailored towards your dream customer. If you can address their pain points and meet their needs, they'll keep coming back to you and you'll get as many customers as you can possibly handle.
Start by entering the conversation already in the customer's mind, go to where your dream customers congregate and look at what your audience is saying and feeling — when it comes to fine dining, what are they happy with? What are they unhappy with? Find the gaps that are already there and fill them — this is your winning ticket to success.
Once you have the information you need, you can then start to design your interior's concept and theme and other offerings around your findings.
For example, you may find that your dream customer enjoys listening to jazz music over a glass of wine, so you or your designer incorporate a custom-built vinyl library and a vintage sound system so that your customers can enjoy their evenings exploring laid-back audio and a hand picked wine list after a long day's work. You create an elegant and warm atmosphere, which makes guests feel like they've been transported into a jazz bar in the city.
That's exactly what our previous trade clients, Hazels in St Albans, did. By addressing a need and speaking directly to their niche target audience, they became a music lover's go-to dining choice.
Pictured: Interior of Hazels Wine bar and Restaurant in St Albans, with our Scandinavian bar stools as the primary seating
Craft A Comfortable Layout
A comfortable layout can make or break your restaurant or café — so it pays to spend effort in optimising the flow of your restaurant. Consider whether you'll be using wooden dining chairs, bar stools, banquettes or sofas as your primary seating — perhaps you'll use more than one method of seating!
Think again about your dream audience: if your customer is more senior, they may benefit from more rigid, upright seating such as solid wood seats, while couples may prefer a booth for privacy.
The layout should also consider traffic flow, ensuring servers can move efficiently between tables and the kitchen. A well-thought-out floor plan will include clear pathways, strategic placement of service stations, and appropriate spacing between tables to maintain both intimacy and functionality. Additionally, consider creating distinct zones within your restaurant that can accommodate different dining experiences, from intimate date spots to larger group gatherings.
Layer With Lighting — Getting This Right Will Transform Your Dining Experience
In fine dining, ambiance is everything. Lighting plays a pivotal role in setting the mood, so don't be afraid to splash out on it. In our opinion, direct overhead lighting can ruin the mood because of the shadows they cast over your guests' faces; if too bright, you can make guests feel like they're under interrogation or in the spotlight — which you want to avoid at all costs. Light should come from multiple directions; wall lights, table lamps and dimmable, directional lighting can layer a room and give it a luxurious feel.
If your restaurant has spotlights, it's a great idea to replace them with flush lights; these can be very handy in creating a 3D lighting effect that adds interest.
If you're open all day, your lighting should be different in the daytime than at night. It's important to remember that your dream customer is a different person on Monday mornings than on Friday evenings, so your restaurant needs to adapt. Inside luxury hotels, they often feature day and night controls for the lighting. As an example, night mode means more light comes from the ground, so guests can see where they're going. This is a great feature for restaurants and cafés too.
If you're decorating a luxury restaurant establishment, it's worth onboarding a consultant who can help design your lighting.
Pictured: Our solid wood Shaker stools sit in a kitchen with a clever mix of lighting
Invest In State-of-the-Art Tableware
In fine dining, every detail on the table contributes to the overall dining experience. As previously mentioned, fine dining is about more than the food — but also about how it's presented. Choose tableware that complements your restaurant or café's concept or theme. Glassware and cutlery are equally important and should feel luxurious to the touch.
Quality table linens: tablecloths, napkins and placemats also play a role in setting the tone. White table linens evoke elegance, while darker tones and textured fabrics add a contemporary edge. Your table linens should all be impeccably clean and harmonise with the rest of your scheme.
Luxury: It's In The Details
The attention to detail will transform your restaurant from basic to sensational.
Consider incorporating unique design elements that reflect your brand's personality while maintaining functionality. This could include custom-made fixtures, artisanal wall coverings, or bespoke furniture pieces that tell a story. The key is to create memorable touchpoints throughout the space that guests will notice and appreciate, making their dining experience feel more personal and refined.
Fresh florals in elegant painted ceramic vases and a focus on quality furnishings will go a long way to sell a holistic dining experience. Small things such as actual candles also work to create a memorable dining experience and should not be overlooked.
Pictured: Eline Restaurant, London - along one wall there's a display of wines which act as decor
Don't Make This Mistake: Uncomfortable Dining Can Seriously Let Your Restaurant Down
A pleasant interior will do nothing if your dining area is uncomfortable for your guests.
Your seating should be comfortable for the average diner to sit at for at least 2 hours — think about seat height, back support, and cushioning. Hard, backless stools or benches might look stylish, but they can drive customers away if they're not comfortable enough for a full dining experience. Test your seating thoroughly before making final decisions, and consider having a mix of seating types to accommodate different preferences and needs.
If your tables and seating are from different companies, don't forget to check the gap between the apron of the table and the seat of the dining chairs — the ideal gap should be between 20–25 centimetres. It's essential that you stick to this rule, as anything outside of that distance will result in uncomfortable dining for your guests.
If you're committed to creating a comfortable dining experience for your restaurant or café that wows your customers, we have a trade programme tailored specifically for people like you who are looking to create a memorable dining experience that turns first-time customers into loyal patrons. Visit our 'Trade' page to discover how we can help you achieve your vision.