Guide to Choosing the Best Paint Color for Restaurants

Part of the work that goes into designing a restaurant involves selecting the right paint colors. This typically means identifying the best color for the restaurant exterior and interior.

Finding the best paint color for restaurants is more than just an aesthetic decision. The colors you choose can influence the ambiance of a dining establishment significantly, as well as the customers’ dining experience, and even how long they stay or how much they spend.

The right hues should not only align with the restaurant’s brand and type of cuisine but also appeal to its target customers. As a contractor, designer, or painter, your guidance can help restaurant owners make informed choices that enhance their space, so it’s both visually appealing and functional for the type of dining experience they offer.

Applying the Psychology of Color in Dining Spaces

The color scheme of a restaurant does more than just set the tone; it directly impacts customers’ emotions, moods, and behavior while dining.

When selecting the perfect colors for a restaurant, consider how different hues will influence not only design aesthetics but also how guests will feel, eat, and interact with the space.

How Color Affects Mood, Appetite, and the Overall Dining Experience

Colors can stir emotions, create moods, and even influence how long customers stay or how much they eat. This is where the psychology of color comes into play — different hues have distinct effects on how diners perceive a restaurant.

• Warm Colors (Red, Orange, Yellow): These are energizing and stimulating. Reds and oranges are especially known for increasing appetite and encouraging quick dining. If you’re advising on fast-food chains or casual dining establishments, these colors can help drive quicker turnover and keep the energy levels high. However, overuse can feel overwhelming, so consider accents or subtle incorporation in features like walls or seating.

• Cool Colors (Blue, Green): These have the opposite effect, often calming and slowing things down. Blues and greens work well for fine dining spaces where the goal is for patrons to relax, enjoy their meal, and potentially stay longer. Incorporating these colors in softer, muted tones can create a serene and welcoming dining experience.

• Neutral Colors (Grey, Beige, White): Neutrals provide a versatile backdrop that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. They can make a restaurant feel more spacious and are great for highlighting other design elements like artwork or furniture. Neutrals are a solid choice for spaces where you want to avoid overly bold color statements. You can incorporate them to infuse a restaurant with a clean, modern, minimalist look.

Popular Paint Colors for Different Types of Restaurants

Restaurants have different design and customer flow needs, and the color palette you use should reflect that.

It’s essential to tailor the color choices to both the functional needs of the space and the psychological impact the owner wishes their restaurant to have on their patrons.

Fast Food and Casual Dining

Fast food joints thrive on high energy and quick turnover, and the colors should match that pace.

Bright reds, yellows, and oranges are common in these spaces, as they evoke excitement, appetite, and a sense of urgency. They push people to order quickly, eat, and leave, which is ideal for high-traffic establishments. A red accent wall or bold yellow detailing can be a great way to bring that energy into the space without overwhelming diners.

Fine DiningIn a fine dining setting, the focus is on creating a calm and refined atmosphere. The goal is to create a space where patrons want to linger and savor their meal.

Here, softer colors like sage green, taupe, or even pastel shades can help build an intimate and relaxed environment. Deep colors like navy, burgundy, or charcoal gray can add a layer of sophistication and elegance, signaling luxury and comfort.

Cafés and Coffee Shops
Cafés often aim for a cozy, inviting ambiance where patrons can relax or work.

Warm neutrals like beige or cream create a comforting atmosphere, while earthy greens can evoke a connection to nature, particularly in spaces that emphasize sustainability or organic offerings. Feature walls in natural tones can be used to highlight these elements and enhance the overall brand message and customer experience.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Paint Colors

Choosing the right paint colors for a restaurant goes beyond simply picking a shade you like. Various factors, such as lighting, space size, and durability, need to be considered to ensure the chosen color scheme works harmoniously with the restaurant design and functionality.

Knowing how these elements impact color perception and performance will help you guide your clients toward the best choices for their establishment.

1. Lighting

Lighting can dramatically change the way paint colors look in a space. Both natural and artificial light influence color perception, and a shade that looks vibrant in daylight can appear completely different under artificial lighting at night.

• Natural Light: In spaces with plenty of natural light, colors tend to appear brighter and more vibrant. Light colors will look more washed out, while darker tones will stand out. If the restaurant has large windows, consider how the changing daylight will alter the appearance of the walls throughout the day.
• Artificial Light: Different types of artificial lighting (warm, cool, or neutral) affect how colors are perceived. Warm lighting, often used in cozy or upscale restaurants, can make certain colors appear warmer, while cool lighting, common in modern or minimalist designs, can cause cooler tones to appear even colder.

2. Size of the Space

The size of a restaurant plays a significant role in how colors should be applied. Small spaces and large dining areas require different approaches to create the desired ambiance.

• Small Spaces: Light colors are a classic go-to for smaller spaces because they reflect more light, and make the area feel larger and more open. Soft pastels, light grays, and whites can work wonders in creating an airy, spacious feel, especially in more intimate dining rooms or cafes with limited space.
• Large Spaces: Larger restaurants can often benefit from the use of darker, richer colors to create a more intimate atmosphere. Darker shades absorb light, so they make big spaces feel cozier. Deep blues, burgundies, or even charcoal grays can add sophistication and a sense of closeness in vast dining areas, particularly in upscale or fine dining environments.

3. Durability and Maintenance

In restaurant environments, durability and ease of maintenance are just as important as aesthetic appeal. The constant flow of customers and the inevitable spills mean that walls need to withstand wear and tear while maintaining their look over time.

• Durability: High-quality, washable paints are a must in restaurants. Walls in high-traffic areas, such as dining rooms and hallways, are likely to face frequent scuffs and spills, so opt for durable paints that are designed for easy cleaning and resistance to stains.
• Moisture Resistance: In spaces like kitchens or bathrooms, where moisture is an issue, choose paints with finishes that are moisture-resistant or waterproof to avoid peeling or bubbling over time.

Choosing the Best Color for a Restaurant Exterior

The exterior of a restaurant often influences the first impression customers have, and it plays a significant role in drawing them in.

A well-chosen color scheme for the exterior can attract attention, set the tone for the dining experience, and communicate the restaurant’s brand identity from the moment customers arrive.

When advising clients on exterior paint colors, consider factors such as visibility, the surrounding environment, and the message the restaurant wants to convey.

Visibility and Curb Appeal

The exterior color of the restaurant should ideally make it stand out without clashing with neighboring buildings or the local aesthetic.

Bright, bold colors can catch attention, especially for casual eateries or fast-food restaurants looking to bring in foot traffic. For instance, using vibrant reds, oranges, or yellows can create an inviting and energetic appearance. On the other hand, more subdued tones like deep green or charcoal gray may work better for upscale or fine dining establishments, where elegance and sophistication are key.

Harmony With Surroundings

It’s also important to consider the restaurant’s location and how the exterior colors blend with or complement the surrounding area. In busy urban settings, bold, contrasting colors can help the restaurant stand out among numerous other buildings.

However, in mostly residential or historic areas, choosing colors that harmonize with the local architecture, such as earth tones or neutral shades, can help the restaurant integrate seamlessly into its environment while still standing out.

Restaurant Theme and Brand

The exterior color scheme should align with the restaurant’s overall brand identity. It gives customers a glimpse of the experience they can expect inside. By matching the exterior colors with the restaurant theme, you create a cohesive brand image.

For instance, a seafood restaurant might opt for blues and aquamarine tones to evoke a coastal vibe, while a farm-to-table establishment could use natural, earthy colors like olive green or brown to reflect its focus on sustainability and organic food.

The right paint colors can transform a restaurant, shape customer perceptions and experiences, and reinforce brand identity. This is why choosing the right hues is crucial — whether your goal is to create a laidback space for casual diners or a luxurious setting for fine dining.

By balancing style, functionality, and brand consistency, you can help create an environment that not only looks inviting but also enhances the overall dining experience of customers.

If you need help with advising your client of their paint choices, Schemes is ready to assist.

Get in touch today!