Restaurant - Decorating Ideas
A Family Owned Business

I personally love going into an inviting place to eat. To me, besides the food, the decor makes or breaks a business.

When you enter your establishment, look through the eyes of each of each customer.

Is the outside reflect the area you live, or do you want to create your own unique flavor through your foundation theme?

Does the entrance, booths or tables create an invitation for relaxation and enjoyment?

What about your theme? A theme stems from your own thoughts and personality. The name of your restaurant will be an important aspect of the overall theme. Get creative or just keep the name simple.

Make it stand out in your customers mind. Of course the food and atmosphere is your main criteria to bring your customers back again. Overall color scheme. Know what colors compliment each other.









I like the first photo with the cows. If you have a steak place or an establishment in a country setting, great idea. You can also think about if you are in the city, unique idea to draw your customers inside.

The second picture is popular in many businesses. The board outside with the menu. Great idea to share your curb side appeal with your fabulous menu.

Are you looking for some original photos to add some excitement to your establishment? TK Creations has many different items that you can used to decorate with your own personality. Great year around ideas to spruce up your business and entice your customers with style!

If you are just starting out and doing it yourself, think of the overall feel of your business. Are you creating a formal, informal, fun, bizarre, or just simple, ma and pa type of place? If you are contracting out some of the decorating, be involved as remember, this is your family owned business.









These next two photos shares two different look and feel. The first picture gives you the total look of the outside establishment. Blue is the color theme and this is where you bring the blue tones right inside.

I like the idea of inside providing the atmosphere with blue in your accessories and accents and neutral or white walls. Think about your style and maybe Blue Willow dishes would work well with the color scheme. A French country theme comes to mind.

The second picture can easily be seen as a nautical theme. I love the wood look and also the helm or steering wheel. This sets the tone inside. The walls are sponged in blue to create the atmosphere of the sea or ocean. Great idea for coastals establishments.









The first picture's interior sets the atmosphere for a dining experience. The orange and green represent warm colors, and a flare of modern to oriental booths create a look and feel for a variety of different menus. The accent of the wood beams gives this eating place a unique feel.

The second photo has a totally different interior. I like the blending in of the brick beams with the gold-yellow and brick tone striped carpet. Another color is introduced with the soft blue tone chair cushions. A great accessory is putting decorating lighting on the brick posts to highlight this feature. A great look and feel for a variety of themes and menus.

Think of all aspects of the room or rooms, and the total layout of the business.

Ceilings, walls, floors, tables, chairs, or lounge area. If you have a small area, create the area to give it a more open appearance. Warm colors from the color wheel and also soft tones.





If you have a restaurant and want an old time look, accents and accessories are wonderful. Play off your theme with the right styles of pictures, collectables, furniture, window treatments, etc...

If you are doing a family base create that nostalgia feel throughout the place with frames that match, lighting, tables, and chairs. Decorating any type of interior space in your family restaurant should be one that reflects you, your customers, and your location. This is one of the items I personally look at when I go to any type of family owned business.

Having owned my own off line business and now an on line business, I take high pride in how the overall feel of the business, as well as satisfying my customers and visitors.

Decorating your restaurant doesn't have to exceed your budget. Plan your overall decorating scheme, and if you are redoing your interior or exterior, keep in mind some of the ideas above.











Identify your theme whether it be a certain era, animal, natural wonder, country, etc... and go with those base colors.

If you have a beach or maybe a tropical establishment, think of the water, sand, and other natural colors. If you live in a tourist area or a large city your competition is going to be greater. This is where you can bring your own unique style of decorating in.

Make the locals as well as the traveler feel welcome. Stand out from the other family restaurants by putting your own flare of decor.

You may have a successful business due to your wonderful food, but if it lacks the right colors and decor to fit the name or menu, the balance and your look and feel will be off.

Small town family owned restaurants usually don't have as much competition, maybe a few chain establishments. This is where you can shine and bring in the local heritage, outdoor environment, and your special look and feel. Country decor usually has a simplistic style.

Don't be afraid to put some stripes with plaids as long as your color tones and the sizes of the stipes and plaids don't clash. Red and white checker tablecloths are also very popular for a country look.

Maybe you have a fruit or vegetable base theme, take off from that and make your colors, accents, and accessories match the fruit or vegetables. The page on the peppers gives you some ideas of accessories that would match into a pepper theme.



Formal places are relaxing with more classical or jazz style. The "happening" place to go will do well with an upbeat, but not overbearing music.

Let your customers enjoy the his or her experience with you. Give them the interior atmosphere along with your food that will make them walk out with a smile. You will also know there is a pretty good chance he or she will return.

Think about putting some Whimsical Decor for you own establishment. Put accessories into your own business to give your customer that personal touch.

If you have any questions on decorating your family owned restaurant, feel free to contact me and I would be happy to give you some ideas and suggestions. Feel free to pop over into the color wheel section and see some tones and shades that may blend in with your business. I hope this page has given you a few ideas on how to take your family owned restaurant and decorate for your customers, through your own personality.

One place that Tom and I visited was San Diego's Old Town. Cafe Coyote restaurant was a hit in our eyes. The music set the tone as we walk up to be seated. Once inside the decor stood out and we both had a feeling if the food was good, this was going to be a memorable experience. The food was really good!

Your family owned restaurant is your true pride and joy. The menu, food, atmosphere, and decor play the lead roles in your business being a success.

A couple of final thoughts for you. Attire for your staff should also reflect the colors you decorate both on your outside and inside. Music also plays a big factor on the atmosphere of your customers dining experience. Nature eating establishments are great with soft water running, CD's with soothing music.



Below is a great place for you and others to write about your own restaurants or visitors can write about their own favorite restaurant. Great publicity and also a chance to show off your own style.

Ah, the fast pace of city living, or the quiet atmosphere of a small town. Do you own or manage a a restaurant? What is it about your restaurant that makes your customers satisfied? Share with us the details. What is your decor and theme? This is a great way also to get free publicity right here on the Internet. If you are a customer, feel free also to share your favorite restaurant with all of us. Eating out is a great way to unwind and relax, have a productive business meeting, an enjoy business peers, family, and friends.

What do you think about these restaurants?