Spring is in the air and Restaurants all over Chicago are breathing a sigh of relief... Many restaurants throughout the midwest deal with the post holiday lag that can become a sort of hibernation... Once spring starts to wake everyone up it’s time to get ready for the onslaught of great weather and big business. As many chefs are also thinking of ways to update the menu for the season, the interior should also reflect a sort of design awakening... creating a refreshing new dining experience that affects all of your senses. These four tips should be part of your “spring cleaning” ritual.
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| Fulton's on the River, Chicago One of the best Al Fresco dining spots in the city |
1. If you have outdoor dining, Now is the time to take inventory and make sure you have all of the furniture you need... Are your umbrellas and planters in good shape? Do you have someone to plant them?....Any touch up painting, planting or repairs should be done at this time. Also, it doesn’t hurt to try something different this year...it can be as easy as different colored flowers, seat cushions or planters!
2. Clean that kitchen! Get your hoods cleaned at least twice a year, professionally is recommended. Clean the pilot lights on any gas equipment and be sure to follow manufacturers instructions. Check your fire suppression system as well as your extinguishers. Make sure that the back of the house is as well oiled as the front!
3. Check signage, awnings and doors...indoor and outdoor! Make sure all lights are on and everything is working, check that all ADA signage is visible and in good shape. Is an awning torn? Is the paint on the front door worn? can people see the address? The facade of your restaurant is a way to make a great first impression so make sure it is welcoming and clean.
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| Kith & Kin, Chicago Adding or changing the artwork is a low cost way to improve the energy of the space! |
4. Decor face lift! Once you make sure that all of your holiday decor is finally down is there something that could really help liven up your space to make it feel new and exciting to patrons? Changing wall finishes, art or drapery are all low cost ways to get a big bang for your buck. Also, don’t be afraid to purge... throwing away the plastic vines your aunt put in twenty years ago can really go along way...remember there is a difference between being vintage and being old!
A good interior designer can help guide you through many of the above tips to make sure that you are ready come spring...it doesn’t have to be a huge investment to make sure that your patrons are as energized about your space as they are about your menu! Here I will shamelessly plug for Square One Studios to help you get there! Email maria@square1studios.com
Great pictures of the restaurants you've worked on! You should see if you can get permission to put these in your portfolio.
ReplyDeleteWe are refreshing our balcony furniture this month, so this is a timely post. Do you have outdoor dining space?
I have no outdoor dining space but instead like to live vicariously through my clients!
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