As the world continues to adapt to the effects of a pandemic, restaurants have had to reinvent the wheel, changing their interior design and layout to accommodate additional health and safety measures. Escapist interiors have become increasingly popular and the outdoors becomes a more frequented dining space, while non-contact facilities and the bare minimum in decor become a norm. The industry has had to adapt or die, and has proven that it can survive even the harshest conditions. We look at some of the rising trends in restaurant interior design in Dubai and across the world.

Escapist Restaurant Interiors

De zeen magazine released a trends report that revealed a rise in escapist restaurant interior trends. A demand for originality from restaurateurs has led to a number of adaptations, with panelists predicting that architectural modernism would influence the use of furniture, with an increasing focus on straight lines and the abandonment of ornaments and carved wood which pose a risk as a breeding ground for germs. With transparency becoming a requirement for diners, the use of open kitchens and surfaces with anti-microbial materials will become popular adaptations. Contactless dining sees the death of physical menus, cash payments and buffets for the future of dining as a whole. Such adaptations are how restaurants can enhance the customer experience and still abide by health and safety regulations.

The Use of Outdoor Spaces

Utilizing outdoor spaces where people can dine while enjoying the fresh air is a sustainable option to restaurant dining. Instead of boxing people in with transparent screens, outdoor spaces allow for flexibility in restaurant spaces. Rooftop dining and garden-seated areas have become smart and aesthetically pleasing spaces to dine.

Trends in Color

As the pandemic has caused much unrest and anxiety among consumers, restaurants have started using color palettes that instill a sense of calm and comfort. Hues that reflect cleanliness, leisure and nature are popular choices, such as white, beige, orange and green, with the use of wood giving an earthy feel to the interior space. In an era where physical and mental well-being are emphasized, color adds harmony and appeals to the customer, and can be seen in the trends for restaurant interior design in Dubai.

Incorporating Glass and Steel

With the need for sanitation and hygiene being paramount, the use of materials that can withstand regular sanitation has become a fundamental and more cost-effective solution for restaurants. Glass and steel are easy to maintain and clean, and create a sense of transparency while adding a modern touch. Other abrasion-resistant materials have also become ever-popular, such as ceramic tiles in open kitchen spaces.

As hospitality is ultimately about warmth, comfort and creating opportunities for entertainment, the industry has had to become innovative with the use of interior design and space for optimal flow. While the pandemic must come to an end at some point or another, it has influenced the way that people look, feel about and experience in restaurants. Subsequently, it has created a situation where restaurants have changed the way they operate and enhance how their customers experience dining spaces for the better. Creating spaces which feel safe, comfortable and still enjoyable are the key takeaways of current trends in hospitality interior design, while learning to utilize materials and spaces in a way that is beneficial for both restaurant staff and restaurateurs, with the pandemic sparking an evolution in current restaurant interior design in Dubai and the world as a whole.