As more and more cities are emerging back from lockdown, food businesses are also doing what they can to adhere to the implemented health measures so they can operate back to full capacity.
Masked restaurant personnel, distanced table arrangement, and plexiglass barriers – these are just some of the things customers will notice the next time they eat out. In fact, some restaurants go to the extent of placing stuff toys on some seats on the table to remind everyone to observe social distancing at all times. And while fast foods, bars, and restaurants are still suffering financially, these establishments are coming up with clever ways to help them re-open while complying with the existing health and safety standards.
Read more as we’ll know more about how restaurant interior design has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in today’s entry.
More Room To Provide More Air For Customers And Staff
The health, safety, and comfort of everybody are always important. That is why restaurants are adapting to new design changes to give more room for employees and guests and allow everybody to breathe the open air. And even if quick-service restaurants have relatively low risk considering customers are making short visits, the need to make room and open windows (or additional air exhaust) is still necessary since restaurant personnel is mostly exposed to the shared air during their eight-hour shift.
Do bear in mind that the chance of contracting the virus is relatively high in interior places with poor ventilation. In fact, studies have already proven that even though the airborne transmission of the coronavirus is not likely to happen, the possibility of infection increases if more people are confined in the same room and are breathing shared air.
Distanced By Design
Another reason why restaurants have to alter their interior design is they are required to provide enough space where people can practice socially distancing while dining and enjoying their meals.
Social distancing is a prerequisite according to health and safety guidelines. And if food businesses can’t provide an area where people can distance themselves at least 2 meters apart, their establishment will be forced to close.
That is why aside from incorporating new elements like plexiglass barriers at ordering counters and cashiers, restaurants are also extending existing barriers to create an area that is safe for guests and employees. Even bar tops are deepened, sneeze guards are elevated, and queuing spaces are also widened. You may also notice partitions being installed in-between booths and tables as well as the removal of communal seating that is usually found in beer gardens, food halls, and cafeteria-style environments.
Back Of House (Kitchen) Changes
Safety and sanitation have long been observed in all back of house spaces inside restaurants. And due to the current health crisis, an anticipated shift has already been implemented to extend safety and sanitation inside guest-facing areas. As for sit-down restaurants, implementing safety and sanitation requires moving away carpets, cushions, drapes, and any other soft surfaces. Likewise, porous materials like granite, wood, plastic, and tiles are replaced by non-porous surfaces like porcelain, laminate, and stainless steel. While quick-service food businesses are expected to use plastic-based, easy-to-clean fabrics.
The open kitchen design trend that is typically used to establish a connection between the customer and their food or to provide visual attraction as their orders are being prepared will be adapted by more and more food establishments since it gives patrons a chance to see the restaurant’s back of house cleanliness.
On the other hand, the line approach where dishes are prepared in front of diners will be adopted by quick-service restaurants.
Redefining Décor
Many restaurants are now shifting from the traditional tabletop decorations to minimize things that require constant cleaning. To be specific, decors like candles, flowers, lamps, tablecloths, and even menus are taken away to give way to the minimalistic but safe style. Also, disposable items have seen new light as one-use plates and utensils are now used for serving food.
In addition, some food establishments have channeled their newfound creativity by using stuffed animals and mannequins to be seated in specific areas to prevent people from sitting too close.
Maximizing Outdoor Space
Outdoor dining is again being practiced, and it looks like this trend is here to stay. Government agencies are giving special considerations to restaurants so they’ll be able to set up tables on streets and pavements.
Experts suggest, outdoor setting is much safer as it lessens the transmission of the virus and it also reduces the duration which the COVID-19 can stay on surfaces. Some establishments have even considered closing their indoor dining rooms and switched to outdoor dining.
And as of summer of last year, more and more tables with umbrellas are being set up outdoors as people are becoming comfortable again with the idea of re-opening.
Technology Is Expanding Its Role In Restaurant Operations
Food businesses have now installed bathroom doors with magnets and sensors, voice-activated lighting and window treatments, and other additional technological enhancements that allow patrons to enjoy the same convenience that they are expecting without the possibility of being infected with COVID-19.
Likewise, in-room technologies like interactive screens that allow the customer to have an outdoor scene while dining are also being installed in certain rooms. Aside from that, similar but larger screens are also being incorporated so that customers will be able to conduct large-scale conferences without the fear of being exposed to the coronavirus.
Routine Disinfection
Finally, restaurants are now in the habit of routine disinfection to protect customers and employees against COVID-19. And this is necessary since the coronavirus is known to linger on any surface, which also increases the risk of spreading the virus to other people.
Now, everything is disinfected from countertops to doorknobs, and just about any surface that is frequently touched by any person. Regular disinfection inside the restaurant is crucial to mitigate the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Moreover, restaurants are also giving disposable wipes to all their workers so that everybody will develop the habit of disinfecting even whether they’re facing customers or not.
If you’re looking for an experienced restaurant interior designer during this time, you can contact Decodence Design UK today.
