Eco-Friendly Restaurant Interior Design-1

Eco-friendly Restaurant Interior Design

Eating out is an essential part of our lives and we spend much of our time choosing between places that offer the best of cuisine and a desirable ambiance. Designing a commercial space especially a restaurant is not merely about aesthetics and ambiance but choosing the right materials and techniques that would not cause harm to one’s health. Where health is concerned, one would aim for an eco-friendly or green restaurant interior. Eco-friendly restaurant interior design is all about creating ‘’green spaces’ using sustainable materials and techniques that are less harmful to our health and our surroundings.

The choice of location, material, lighting, kitchen appliances and air quality play a significant role in creating eco-friendly or green restaurants.

Today, green restaurants are trending because

  1. Increased Brand Awareness & Loyalty
  2. people have become more health conscious
  3. Restaurateurs and designers are becoming more aware of the benefits of eco-restaurants that include low maintenance cost, reduced exposure to toxic material, improved air quality and energy efficiency.
  4. Going green means achieving the LEED certification that has strict criteria
  5. EU legislation is on its way and it won’t be long before your business is forced – by law – to meet high environmental standards

 7 Tips for an eco-friendly restaurant interior design

Save more with natural lighting and ventilation

Windows that let in ample natural air and light help cut down on extra light fixtures and electricity. For greater effect, tactical use of mirrors will help in brightening up interiors through the reflection of light. Cross ventilation will help improve the quality of air. LED spot and mood lighting can be very effective and helps in creating a more inviting ambiance. Energy saving fluorescent lighting for the restaurant kitchen will be economical. Light fixtures can be made with recycled or eco-friendly materials like wood.


Thermal comfort

Glazing or special coating on windows can prevent heat and provide insulation and thermal comfort. Heat reflective paints or lighter paint shades on restaurant exterior and interior walls can reflect back 80% of solar radiation.


Furniture that is multi-functional

This is the perfect solution for urban efficiency-seekers. Transforming furniture helps save space and reduce cost on unnecessary pieces. With the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle that is trending today, it is wise to use recycled material or recycled furniture pieces, refurbish and reuse it, with an end result providing a stylish, eclectic touch to the space.


Hazard free materials

Think sustainably when it comes to materials. Recycled wood, bamboo, and cork are always better than plastic in terms of sustainability and ambiance. This helps in the overall eco-designing process. Concrete flooring and brick feature walls can be economical and add a touch of rusticity and elegance to your restaurant’s interior. Upholstery fabric if any should preferably be wool or cotton as man-made synthetics can harm the environment.


Old is gold

Invest in some antique, statement pieces instead of new furniture. These have a story to tell and add a certain grandeur to the interiors.

Plants give life

Plants and green indoor landscapes or wall creepers incorporated in the interior of the restaurant brings the whole area to life. They help filter the air of harmful chemicals and add a tone of freshness and natural beauty to space.

Using low or non VOC products

This means purchasing products that are low in or free of volatile organic compounds. From the paint to cleaning supplies to furniture, ensure you clear the air of VOC.

Back in the day ecofriendly was a premium choice, but today’s world has landed to a position to demand, what was then a trend. Farrow & Ball Paint is an ecofriendly paint which lacks harmful substance chemicals such as formaldehyde or ammonia. The crucial checking point for any type of ecofriendly paint is to clarify its authenticity by checking for a lower amount or zero VOC in the paint and the colorant. Yolo Color House, Natura Paint and Safe Paint are such that offers zero VOC.


Natural wall décor

Besides low VOC paints, you can make your restaurant walls more environmental friendly with natural wall coverings such as exposed brick art, bamboo, cork, or rice paper coverings. You can adorn them with natural objects such as wood planks or sea shells. Certain wallpaper companies have come up with eco-friendly wall coverings out of which grasscloth is the most popular choice today.


Flooring that’s less hazardous

In a world where diners are more conscientious towards the impact they leave of whatever they consume, Green Shield Floors come in handy as a solution for a permanent floor sealer. The reason it’s important in a restaurant is to protect the underlying flooring which minimizes health risks with a shield of UV ecofriendly membrane. There are a variety of flooring materials that are sustainable yet trendy. Bamboo, Cork, Linoleum or recycled metal, glass, clay, cement, and rubber are a few at the forefront.


Eco packaging and containers

Eco-friendly food packaging is mainly composed of recycled materials. The concept of sustainability and greenery are usually merged within restaurants. The ease of disposal, reduced environmental impact and increased awareness of consumers are the main reasons that eco packaging leaves a mark, and not because of fancy logos and catchy phrases.
With serving great food comes great responsibility. It’s easy to remember that in the culinary industry, sustainability is simple and always effective in the long run.


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