Why Great Interior Design Is the Secret Ingredient to Restaurant Success
Key Takeaways
Great interior design sets the tone and shapes a restaurant’s atmosphere before guests ever see the menu.
Design communicates your brand’s story, values, and personality—more powerfully than words.
A well-designed space enhances the guest experience, turning a good meal into a memorable outing.
Thoughtful interiors support staff efficiency and morale, improving daily operations and team culture.
Investing in design is a strategic move that builds emotional connection, reinforces vision, and drives long-term success.
In today’s dining landscape, serving great food is no longer enough—guests are looking for an experience that feels immersive and meaningful from the moment they walk through the door. That’s why interior design has become a powerful differentiator, shaping atmosphere, supporting staff, and telling a visual story about who you are.
We asked our owner and principal designer Gretchen Rivera for her thoughts after reflecting on two of her recent works: at Bartolo Miramar in San Juan, she created a warm, nostalgic space that honors the legacy of the owner’s grandfather with design elements rooted in Puerto Rican heritage; at Café Cuatro Sombras in Old San Juan, she mirrored the coffee shop’s farm-to-cup philosophy through natural materials, historical references, soft lighting, and a welcoming flow.
Here’s what Gretchen had to say:
Q: Why should restaurant owners think of design as more than just decoration?
Gretchen: Design does more than make a space look nice—it creates a feeling. From the moment guests arrive, the space is already communicating with them. Without saying a word, the design can suggest comfort, energy, warmth, or sophistication. It sets expectations and helps people feel a certain way about your establishment. It’s a key part of how people connect with your restaurant.
Q: How does the design of a space influence how people experience a restaurant?
Gretchen: Design plays a big role in how people experience your food and service. Details like lighting, textures, and layout all quietly guide how guests feel and behave in the space. That’s why I say, “the medium is the message.” The way you present your restaurant—visually and emotionally—is the message you’re communicating. It helps tell your story and leaves a lasting impression that goes far beyond the food.
Q: So is great design really more important than great food?
Gretchen: Food is essential, of course—but great food alone isn’t always enough. There are lots of places that serve a good meal. What turns a meal into a full experience is the atmosphere. A restaurant that feels intentional, welcoming, and memorable becomes a place people want to return to—and talk about. Design adds dimension. It improves the entire outing.
Q: How can design help tell a restaurant’s story?
Gretchen: Design is your chance to show people who you are. It’s an expression of your roots, your influences, your personality. Whether it's a certain material, a color palette, or even the music you play, all those elements are part of your story. And when that story comes through clearly and authentically, it builds a deeper connection with your guests. They don’t just see a business—they feel a human presence behind it.
Q: Does interior design have an impact on restaurant staff?
Gretchen: Yes, it makes a huge impact. Your team spends hours navigating that space, so it needs to work for them too. Functional design—like a smart layout, good lighting, and practical storage—makes their jobs easier. But it’s more than logistics. When a space feels beautiful and cared for, it sends a message that this place matters. That sense of pride and respect carries over into how they treat the space, the customers, and each other.
Q: How does great design influence the restaurant owner’s mindset?
Gretchen: Walking into a thoughtfully designed space every day is so motivating. It’s a reminder of why you started and what you’re trying to build. It reinforces your standards. Design isn’t just for the guests or the staff—it’s for you too. It helps you stay aligned with your vision and your values. It gives you energy.
Q: Is investing in design really worth it?
Gretchen: Absolutely. Good design isn’t a splurge—it’s strategy. It enhances the guest experience, improves operations, and strengthens team culture. Most importantly, it communicates your story in a way that words and menus can’t. In today’s world, people want more than just transactions—they want meaningful experiences. And great design is what helps create those lasting moments.
Gretchen Rivera, owner and principal designer, Casa Casual Interiors, a boutique design studio in Old Town Alexandria, Va., that offers a multidisciplinary blend of interior design, graphic design, and brand storytelling.