How Social Media is Influencing Contemporary Restaurant Designs

“When I was your age, using your phone at the table was impolite!”

….says a Grandpa to his Grandson.

When next time you’re out dining, look for a table with the convergence of 20 or 30-somethings and wait for their waiter to drop off a plate….

….and baam!

With the speed of a lightning bolt, their phones will fly out and so the photo shoot begins…. picture after picture. If you didn’t know any better, I bet you’d think a celebrity just walked in the room. Hahaha… But no, that was just an appetizer.

I must also add that I fall under the aforementioned category….i mean how else would I be able to take pictures for my food blog on Instagram (@thegramfoodie - https://www.instagram.com/thegramfoodie/).

Like it or not, it’s become “de rigeur” to take photos (even videos!) of your meals “for the Gram”.

While some more traditional restaurants, are adopting a strict no-cellphone policy to combat this trend…smart restaurant owners are embracing this savvy marketing strategy.

Restaurant owners now design restaurants with social media platforms in mind. They skirt dim lighting in favor of bright overhead spotlights (which produces better pictures), choose menu items based on photogenics, see everything from plates to plants through the lens of their phones and they ensure that their restrooms are well lit up with a mini signature studio at the mirror area for excellent “mirror selfies”. Now here is the good news, restaurant owners that are infusing these methods are seeing results.

In the generation of millennials, an Instagram photo from a friend (especially if he/she is a brand influencer with a high social media presence) is much more influential than a Yelp review. According to research by Zizzi, 30% of 18-35-year-olds actively avoid restaurants with a weak Instagram presence.

Tips for Catching up with the Social Media Trend and Revamping your Restaurant Design

1.        Scenic backdrops:

A clean, light color scheme for the interiors with a hint of bright accents is essential. It is not just the food that’s getting a transformation. The interiors of restaurants are increasingly being designed with the social media appeal in mind. Circa Non Pareil Lagos (https://www.instagram.com/circa_nonpareil/) and The Tea Room Lagos ( https://www.instagram.com/thetearoomlagos/) are boujee upscale restaurants located within the heart of Lagos, embodies today’s modern restaurant interior and exterior (Literally no one goes to have a meal at the aforementioned restaurants without having a mini photoshoot).

2.        Hanging lights:

My advice to any new restaurant opening up/renovating is to ditch low lights and candle by replacing them with hanging light (choose bright and bold designs) for maximum “Instagrammability.” Finally, this is the era of the dominance of overhead spotlights above tables. Their importance cannot be understated.

3.        An attractive ambiance is key:

Scrolling through your Instagram feed and seeing food posts from restaurants you love and experiencing the ambiance of the restaurant’s interior design is exciting is as mouth-watering as it gets.

You should consider designing your restaurant and theme it after your hobby and be surprised by the flock of millennials with the same interest as you.

Designing your restaurant space also gives you the opportunity to showcase your hobby. You should consider asking yourself: “what’s one thing I love to do which I want to share with the world? What would i want customers to remember about my restaurant?” Are you into art, vintage music players, huge bikes, shoes, flower or guitars? Do you have a collection of paintings or old records you want to share? Are you musically inclined?

4.        Comfortable seats:

The importance of this cannot be over emphasized because this essentially makes your customer get sooo comfortable seating that they are encouraged to come dine and even stay back and order for more food because they want to possibly enjoy the ambiance some more.

5.        Soft background music is key:

No one really wants to be eating or having drinks at a restaurant that is serving bare awkward silence.

6.        Bright colored meals:

It is a known fact that bright coloured food gets more likes, even if it isn’t “natural” or “organic”.

In this regard, Starbucks is ahead of the curve. Their “Pink Drink” took over social media when it came out, and they’ve since followed up with the more colorful, equally ‘grammable’, “Unicorn Frappuccino,” another huge hit!

7.        Colorful and Beautiful Flooring:

Tiles are another colorful accent trending on foodie hashtags on social media (especially Instagram).

8.        Photo-worthy exterior:

After restaurant owners are done designing their epic interior, they should always ask themselves about what else can make their exterior photo-worthy. I would personally suggest using artistic murals on the outside walls.

9.        Hanging plants around the restaurant:

Flowing with the theme of white base and colorful accents, plants are everywhere these days for absolute good reasons in any space. Its adds color to the scene when paired with clean, modern walls, light wooden table and green plants.

10.  “Go big or Go home” when you’re talking signages:

As a restaurant owner, you can adapt the use of Neon-coloured signs to double-serve as a picturesque background and a pop of colour for the restaurant.

11.  Lit To-go bags:

Even to-go bags are getting a branding overhaul, although in small doses. Potential restaurant owners should quit the boring standard plain bags and invest in unique and statement to-go bags.

Let me round up this conversation by re-emphasizing on the fact that restaurant owners should start incorporating digital trends into their menus, interior designs, to-go bags and even staff apparel!