Does color matter when it comes to restaurant design? Do certain colors really make people hungry and certain suppress the appetite? There is evidence that colors do influence what people eat (or don't eat). Because of this, choosing the right colors for a new restaurant is important, especially when you consider that the colors used in a restaurant are an extension of the restaurant's brand. So which colors are best for restaurants, and which ones should be avoided?

Besides color, the use of texture, lighting, and other elements are also important considerations in creating an inviting atmosphere for your customers.

Noma Restaurant in Denmark, a 4-time world number one

Best colors for restaurants

Warm colors, including red, yellow and orange have the greatest impact on enhancing one's appetite. Red in particular, as it creates a rich and luxurious environment for the diner and increases one's urge to eat (of course, I'll have an appetizer and a glass of wine). But it's important to remember that not all shades of red, orange or yellow are created equal.

Soft, earthy tones make for the best restaurants. Think terra cotta oranges, Tuscan yellows and deep garnet reds. Warm tones should be the dominant color in a dining room. Yellow, especially in a dining room can be very irritating when used too brightly or too much. Of course, if your goal is to have a high conversion rate, such as a fast food establishment, using any color light or dark can subconsciously rush customers.

Yellow and orange can add joy to a restaurant's decor. It's perfect for a cafe, yogurt store or other relaxed and inexpensive establishment. But be careful to choose the right yellow or orange colors (like pumpkin and squash) and don't overdo it.

Green is another popular color for restaurants. Like warm colors, shades of green are best. In a restaurant, green walls will represent health and nature and can convey the idea that its menu is healthier than its competitors. Green shades also indicate sustainability - one of the hottest restaurant trends right now.

Green pairs well with browns and oranges, lending itself to fresh, light colors that would be appropriate for a sandwich store or vegan bakery. On the flip side, green doesn't work for meat-based restaurant concepts like Longhorns or Outback Steakhouse. Green doesn't work in bars either. In dim lighting, a fresh, natural green can turn swampy and sad as patrons huddle around their beers.

NeutralsBlack, white, beige, gray and brown are excellent colors to incorporate into a restaurant's decor. They provide a perfect backdrop to stand out. Black and dark brown, when used as shades, represent a sophistication that makes it ideal for upscale restaurants. White color denotes cleanliness and uniformity. When paired with bright shades, it suits restaurants with fast food - such as Five Guys Burgers, White Castle, both of which feature white and sterility with pops of primary colors. Beiges, grays and browns are ideal for creating a warm environment where food and service can pop.

Worst Restaurant Colors

Other colors that don't work for restaurants besides bright yellow are blue and purple. In fact, blue is the most popular color in the U.S. It promotes a calm atmosphere, but it doesn't translate well to most restaurant concepts. This is partly because there aren't a lot of naturally blue foods. Most blue foods are children's foods that have been artificially colored, such as popsicles, blue yogurt or cotton candy. None of these appeal to most adults. The same goes for the color purple, which can, in fact, reduce appetite.

Blue and purple can be used as accent colors, but should be used sparingly.

The restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Textures and elements

Besides color, adding textures to a restaurant's décor will create a welcoming atmosphere for customers. Think soft gray walls with shiny dark wood furniture and glassware or earthy browns with copper metal table tops and green velvet chairs.

Water and fire are two other elements that can make a restaurant's dining room stand out. That's why many restaurants have fish tanks or other gas fireplace accents. Both add visual interest to the space. Add movement and create a sense of uniqueness in a restaurant's dining room.

There are exceptions to everything, including restaurant colors. One of London's best known and most successful restaurants breaks a whole set of color rules. Sketch is a compilation of different restaurants and bars, run by restaurateur Mazzola. Each dining area has a very specific look and feel, most notably the gallery. A spacious dining room with a delicate baby pink velvet, it has a very feminine look and belies the premium menu. Other dining areas are in bright yellows, pinks and purples. According to all the rules of restaurant color design, none of these color combinations are good choices for a dining room. But as I mentioned, there are exceptions to every rule.

Tokyo Diners Restaurant Restaurant, Japan

When choosing colors for your restaurant, consider its concept and the customer experience. Do you want customers to come in for a leisurely dinner and stay for coffee and dessert? Or do you want them to take a quick bite and be on their way? Just as people have personalities, so do restaurants. A white tiled restaurant interior has a completely different personality than a dimly lit terracotta interior. The final choice of restaurant color can also be influenced by the size of the restaurant. Cooler colors can help expand a small space, while warmer colors help create intimacy in a larger space.

Finally, be careful about choosing any color combinations that are too funky and hip for the moment. You don't want your new restaurant to look dated before it even appears. You also don't want to repaint the walls and redesign the menu just a few years before it goes commercial. If you're not sure which colors will work best for your restaurant brand, it pays to work with an interior designer who specializes in restaurants. They can put together sample designs to choose from, removing all the guess work.

Token House Restaurant, London

The color of your restaurant is not just a random choice. It should be a well thought out choice as it will lay the entire marketing and branding foundation for a restaurant. It is important to consider how you want your guests to feel when they dine at your restaurant. Even if your favorite color is blue-green, this is not a traditional restaurant dining room color. It is also important to consider the restaurant concept you are using and the atmosphere you want to create for your customers.

Bright, vibrant colors are good for fast casual and quick service restaurants, while earthy tones and neutrals create a laid-back feel that is appropriate for upscale dining. While there are many exceptions to the rules for restaurant colors, knowing the basic restaurant colors can help your new restaurant establish a strong brand on opening day.