How to Choose Art for Restaurants: A Practical Guide to Boosting Atmosphere and Revenue

Art is one of the quickest, most cost-effective ways to shape your guests’ experience and influence their behaviour. The right artwork does far more than fill empty wall space. It signals your brand identity, softens harsh acoustics, guides emotional responses and can even nudge spending patterns and table turnover rates.

Below is a practical guide for restaurateurs, bar owners and hospitality buyers on choosing artwork that supports your service model, enhances atmosphere and ultimately helps your venue perform better.

Why Abstract Art Works Best in Restaurant Spaces

Before diving into colour theory and purchasing decisions, let’s address why abstract art has become the go-to choice for successful hospitality venues.

Universal appeal with zero risk of alienation. Abstract art doesn’t tell a specific story or depict recognisable subjects that might trigger unwanted associations or memories. A landscape might remind one guest of a beloved holiday and another of a painful loss. A portrait might feel intrusive or dated. Abstract work, by contrast, operates on a purely visual and emotional level. Colour, form, texture and movement communicate without narrative baggage. This makes it universally accessible and unlikely to alienate any segment of your customer base.

Flexibility across demographics and occasions. Your restaurant serves different crowds throughout the day and week. Business lunches, romantic dinners, family brunches and late-night drinks all happen in the same space. Abstract pieces adapt to all these contexts without feeling out of place. They don’t ‘say’ too much, which means they don’t clash with the varied reasons people walk through your door.

Brand alignment without literal translation. Large abstract canvases can be selected or commissioned to match your exact brand palette, energy level and positioning. From relaxed and elegant to bold and energetic, abstract art achieves this without resorting to literal imagery that might feel heavy-handed or limiting as your brand evolves.

Memorable visual anchors. A striking abstract statement piece becomes a signature element of your venue. It draws the eye, defines the character of your dining room and creates a backdrop that photographs beautifully. In the age of Instagram and Google reviews, a visually distinctive space drives organic marketing and repeat visits.

Practical functionality. Textured abstract works contribute to the acoustic and tactile dimension of your space. Layered paint, mixed media and relief surfaces can help absorb sound in busy dining rooms, reducing echo and creating a more intimate, comfortable environment.

Start with Mood: What You Want Your Guests to Feel

Before selecting specific pieces, define the emotional tone and behavioural outcomes you want to encourage. Do you want guests energised and moving quickly through their meal? Relaxed and lingering over dessert and another round? Intimate and focused on conversation? Colours, forms and textures are the tools that shape these responses.

How Colour Influences Mood and Behaviour in Restaurants

Colour is one of the most powerful and most misunderstood tools in restaurant design. Used strategically, it can increase appetite, encourage faster turnover, promote relaxation, or even boost spending. Here’s what the research and industry experience tell us.

Warm Colours: Energy, Appetite and Turnover

Reds, oranges and yellows are proven to stimulate energy, alertness and appetite. These colours increase heart rate and create a sense of urgency and excitement, making them ideal for casual dining, quick-service restaurants and high-turnover venues.

Red is particularly effective at grabbing attention and stimulating appetite. It’s no coincidence that major fast-food chains use red extensively in their branding and interiors. Red can also create a sense of warmth and comfort when used in moderation, but too much can feel overwhelming or aggressive.

Orange combines the energy of red with the cheerfulness of yellow. It’s approachable, friendly and encourages social interaction. Perfect for family restaurants, cafés and brunch spots.

Yellow is strongly associated with happiness and optimism. It lifts mood and can make spaces feel brighter and more welcoming. However, overly bright or saturated yellows can cause eye strain and anxiety, so balance is key.

Strategic application: Use warm colours in fast-casual settings, breakfast and brunch venues, bars aiming for lively atmosphere, and anywhere you want to encourage quicker table turnover and higher energy.

Cool Colours: Calm, Sophistication and Lingering

Blues, greens and cool purples promote relaxation, calm and a sense of spaciousness. They lower heart rate and can even suppress appetite slightly, making them more appropriate for fine dining, upscale venues and spaces where you want guests to settle in and spend more time and money per visit.

Blue evokes trust, tranquillity and sophistication. It’s calming and can make small spaces feel larger and more open. However, blue is one of the least naturally occurring colours in food, which is why it’s rarely used in fast-casual or family dining. It can subtly suppress appetite. For cocktail bars, wine bars and fine dining, this isn’t a drawback. It encourages guests to focus on conversation, drinks and the overall experience rather than rushing through a meal.

Green represents nature, health and balance. It’s restful for the eyes and creates a sense of freshness and well-being. Green works beautifully in farm-to-table concepts, health-focused eateries and venues emphasising sustainability. It’s also versatile enough to work in both casual and upscale settings.

Purple and violet suggest luxury, creativity and sophistication. Deeper purples work well in wine bars, cocktail lounges and fine dining, while lighter lavenders can feel calming and romantic.

Strategic application: Use cool colours in fine dining restaurants, wine bars, cocktail lounges and any venue where the goal is to encourage guests to relax, linger and increase per-table spend.

Neutral and Earthy Tones: Versatility and Grounding

Beiges, taupes, greys, browns and off-whites provide a grounding, sophisticated backdrop that allows other design elements to shine. This includes food presentation. Neutrals convey elegance, timelessness and quality. They’re also incredibly versatile, working across nearly every dining concept.

Warm neutrals such as beiges, taupes and warm greys create a cosy, inviting atmosphere without the intensity of saturated warm colours.

Cool neutrals such as cool greys and whites feel modern, clean and minimalist. Ideal for contemporary or high-end concepts.

Earthy browns and terracottas evoke comfort, authenticity and connection to natural materials. They work particularly well in rustic, Mediterranean or farm-to-table venues.

Strategic application: Neutrals are the safest and most flexible choice. Use them as a base and introduce pops of colour through artwork to control mood and energy without overwhelming the space.

Colour Combinations and Context Matter

No single colour works in isolation. The psychological and behavioural impact of colour depends heavily on several factors.

Saturation and intensity. Bright, saturated colours are more stimulating. Muted, desaturated tones are more calming.

Lighting. Warm lighting enhances warm colours and softens cool ones. Cool lighting does the opposite.

Proportion. A small accent of red has a different effect than an entirely red room.

Cultural context. Colour associations vary across cultures. Red signals luck and celebration in Chinese culture but can mean danger or urgency in Western contexts.

The key is to use colour intentionally and holistically, considering how it interacts with lighting, furniture, flooring and your overall brand identity.

Shape and Form: Subtle Signals That Influence Comfort

The shapes within your artwork and throughout your space send subconscious signals about how guests should feel.

Rounded, organic, curved shapes evoke comfort, relaxation, safety and friendliness. They feel approachable and welcoming, making them ideal for family restaurants, casual dining and anywhere you want guests to feel at ease.

Angular, geometric and linear shapes convey energy, modernity, dynamism and structure. They feel more formal and can create a sense of sophistication or edginess, working well in contemporary fine dining, cocktail bars and urban concepts.

Research into architectural form has found that environments with curved or complex spatial forms tend to increase emotional and physiological arousal compared with static, rectilinear forms. In practical terms, curves calm and angles energise.

Strategic application: Match the dominant shapes in your artwork to your service model. Want fast turnover and high energy? Choose bold, angular abstracts. Want guests to relax and linger? Opt for flowing, organic forms.

Texture: Adding Depth, Warmth and Acoustic Control

Texture is often overlooked, but it’s a powerful tool for creating atmosphere and solving practical problems.

Smooth, glossy surfaces such as polished finishes, clean canvas and metal feel sleek, modern and sometimes a bit cool or impersonal. They reflect light and can make spaces feel larger and brighter.

Rough, tactile textures such as layered paint, impasto, mixed media and textured plaster bring warmth, authenticity, depth and a sense of craftsmanship. They invite closer inspection and create visual interest from multiple angles and lighting conditions.

Texture also affects acoustics. In busy dining rooms where managing noise is critical, textured surfaces can help absorb sound and reduce echo. This includes heavily textured artwork. The result is a more comfortable, intimate environment.

Strategic application: Use textured abstract pieces in high-traffic or noisy areas to improve acoustics and add visual warmth. Use smooth, clean pieces in minimalist or modern spaces where you want a sleek, polished feel.

Originals vs Prints: Making the Right Investment

Deciding between original artworks and high-quality prints comes down to budget, brand positioning and practical considerations.

Original Artworks

Pros:

Unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with genuine tactile presence. Visible brushstrokes, texture and depth. Stronger brand signal and sense of prestige. Can be commissioned to exact specifications such as size, palette and mood. Potential to appreciate in value over time. Creates a sense of authenticity and investment in quality.

Cons:

Higher upfront cost. Insurance and security considerations in public venues. Potential need for climate-controlled placement and careful maintenance. Longer lead time if commissioning new works.

High-Quality Giclée Prints

Pros:

Cost-effective, especially at large scale. Easy to replace, rotate seasonally or update as your brand evolves. Lower insurance and breakage risk. Consistent, repeatable colour palettes that match your brand and interior design. Quick turnaround.

Cons:

Less tactile presence. No real texture or brushwork. Can risk looking mass-produced if printing or mounting quality is poor. Lower perceived value and prestige.

The Hybrid Approach

Many successful venues use a strategic mix. Invest in one or two large original statement pieces as focal points. These provide impact, prestige and authenticity. Then use high-quality prints for secondary walls, private dining areas or seasonal rotation. This creates a balance of visual interest, flexibility and value.

Practical Buying Checklist

Define the role of the art. Is it a focal point? A background rhythm? A photo-worthy feature? An acoustic buffer? Size, finish and style should follow function.

Decide your colour strategy. Choose a palette that supports your brand, lighting, furniture and desired guest behaviour. Ideally, test swatches on your walls under your actual lighting before committing to large pieces.

Scale boldly. In restaurants, fewer large pieces almost always work better than many small works. Large pieces read clearly from across the room, create strong visual impact and photograph beautifully for social media and reviews.

Consider texture and mounting. Thick canvases, mixed-media and relief works add real depth and interest. For high-traffic areas, choose finishes that are easy to clean and won’t glare under lighting.

Plan for rotation or updates. Seasonal changes, new menus or refreshed branding may benefit from rotating artwork. Prints make this affordable and manageable.

Protect your investment. Consider framing, mounting and placement carefully. Get appropriate insurance if originals are expensive or irreplaceable. Avoid placing valuable pieces near kitchens, bathrooms or high-moisture areas.

Lighting, Placement and Maintenance

Lighting matters as much as the art itself. Spotlights, track lighting or adjustable directional lights help reveal texture, colour and depth. Avoid harsh glare, especially on glossy surfaces. Warm lighting enhances warm colours and creates intimacy. Cool lighting enhances cool colours and feels modern and clean.

Placement is strategic. Position statement pieces where sightlines naturally land. Behind the bar, at the end of a hallway or on the main wall opposite the entrance. Ensure scale is proportionate to furniture and ceiling height. Artwork that’s too small will disappear. Artwork that’s too large can overwhelm.

Maintenance matters. Choose finishes that can tolerate dust, light exposure and kitchen grease if near cooking areas. For originals, follow artist or framer guidance on cleaning and care. For prints, consider UV-resistant glass to prevent fading.

Final Thoughts: Art as a Business Tool

Choosing art for your restaurant is both an aesthetic and an operational decision. The best choices reflect your brand, create the right atmosphere and actively support your business goals. Whether that’s faster turnover, higher per-table spend, better reviews or a more memorable guest experience.

Abstract, large-scale pieces are a practical, aesthetically safe and widely appealing option. Particularly when you combine a few tactile originals with high-quality prints for flexibility and budget control.

Ready to transform your space? We offer bespoke consultations for hospitality businesses. This includes colour and palette strategy, site visits with mock-ups, commissioning of large statement artworks scaled to your exact space, and a tailored prints-and-originals purchasing plan that fits your budget and brand.

Contact us to schedule a discovery consultation, and we’ll provide sample mock-ups for

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