Restaurant Material Selection.
Designing a restaurant is about more than creating a beautiful space — it’s about making smart decisions that stand up to daily wear, heavy traffic, and constant use. Materials play a critical role in how a restaurant performs over time, impacting maintenance costs, guest comfort, and the longevity of the design.
Choosing materials that last doesn’t mean sacrificing style. It means understanding where to invest, where to simplify, and how to balance durability with aesthetics.
This guide breaks down how to select materials that work hard behind the scenes — while still looking great front of house.
1. Start With How the Space Will Be Used
Before choosing finishes, it’s essential to understand how each area of the restaurant operates. A bar, dining room, restroom, and kitchen all experience very different levels of stress. Design decisions should always respond to function first — durability follows naturally from that clarity.
2. Flooring: The Foundation of Durability
Restaurant floors take more abuse than almost any other surface.
Best-performing flooring options include:
Porcelain or ceramic tile for high-traffic areas
Sealed concrete for modern, industrial spaces
Commercial-grade wood or engineered wood with proper finishes
Stone with appropriate sealing in select zones
Avoid residential-grade materials and glossy finishes that show wear quickly or become slippery. Always consider slip resistance, acoustics, and ease of repair.
3. Walls That Can Handle Daily Wear
Walls in restaurants are exposed to constant contact — chairs, bags, cleaning equipment, and guests.
Durable wall solutions include:
Paintable wallcoverings with texture
Limewash or mineral paints
Tile or stone wainscoting
Wood paneling with protective finishes
In high-impact areas, layering materials (such as tile or millwork on the lower portion of walls) helps preserve the design long-term.
4. Furniture and Upholstery That Age Well
Furniture must be both comfortable and resilient. The wrong fabric or finish can show wear within months.
Smart furniture choices:
Commercial-grade fabrics with high rub counts
Vinyls that mimic leather but are easy to clean
Solid wood or metal frames
Replaceable seat cushions
Dark or textured fabrics hide wear better than flat, light colors — especially in busy dining rooms.
5. Bar Tops and Counter Surfaces
Bars and counters are focal points — and constant work surfaces.
Durable options include:
Quartz or porcelain slabs
Sealed natural stone
Solid wood with protective coatings
Stainless steel for prep areas
The key is proper sealing and maintenance planning. Some materials age beautifully; others require consistent care to avoid staining and damage.
6. Acoustics Matters
Durability isn’t only visual — sound comfort is just as important.
Acoustic-friendly materials include:
Upholstered seating
Fabric panels disguised as decor
Wood slats with acoustic backing
Textured wall finishes
These materials reduce noise while adding warmth and depth to the space.
Choosing materials that last is one of the smartest decisions a restaurant owner can make. When durability, function, and design work together, spaces remain beautiful, comfortable, and operationally efficient for years to come.
