Until fairly recently, the walls in bars and restaurants were usually covered with glass fibre or woodchip wallpaper. Generally speaking, glass fibre and woodchip wallpapers can be many things... But one thing they certainly aren't: Atmospheric. But isn't that exactly what restaurants and bars should provide? Atmosphere, flair, a certain mood, a pleasant ambience?
To introduce our guide blog around wallpapers and wall décor in catering establishments, we will borrow a suitably apt statement by the great Pop Art icon Andy Warhol: "New York restaurants now have a new thing - they don’t sell their food, they sell their atmosphere." Source: The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again)
People who want to leave their stressful day behind have a need for relaxed, calm rooms that give them a sense of well-being and take them to another world. A delicious meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant, a strengthening snack, a lovely glass of wine to begin the evening or an amusing conversation at the weekend: It's the atmosphere that counts - and fabulous designer wallpapers can help achieve it!
Our guide will shed some light on the plethora of style options for interior design based on stimulating, eye-catching, exceptional pattern and motif wallpapers, but we will also list the functional aspects required for wallpapers used in restaurants and bars.
Atmosphere and the many faces of design
Restaurants can be differentiated by their food and drink offerings. The design options should either indicate what the restaurant offers or create a totally unrelated but comfortable atmosphere. Here are just a few themes that can be realised with some of the stunning wallpaper models from our range:
Exotic Summer: Gadotti, Liotta, Hesperia, Emiane
Baroque Appetiser: Siemara, Manus, Perun, Leandra
Nostalgica: Estella, Save the Queen, Porewit, Prowe
Golden Times: Kronos, Isidor, Monaco, Rio Crocodillo
Natural Food: Scrapwood 10, Thin Bamboo Strips
Molecular Wonder Worlds: Cassiopeia, Ashera
It is important to take the psychological effect of colours, patterns and motifs into consideration when choosing wallpapers. This requires a different approach in restaurants to that in bars and hotels - it should be appetising, inviting, harmonious. Colours considered to have an appetising effect are red, gold, brown, yellow and orange. Patterns should be subtle and provide gentle movement - material imitation wallpapers, for instance, can create a sense of luxury and well-being. Patterns that create optical illusions can be distracting and unsettling. Large-scale geometric patterns in restaurants can also be overwhelming.
Tip: Wallpapering in restaurants should always be done by professionals, as even the smallest mistake will be noticed by diners. Guests expect perfectionism and clean aesthetics. Badly applied wallpapers with gaps or frayed edges have a negative impact on guests.
In bars and clubs, the visual impression determines the clientèle that will frequent a place. Depending on theme and style, specific target groups can be attracted by the interior design of a bar or club.
Some ideas:
Boho: Brooklyn Tins 07, Eistin
Gipsy: Infinito, Rowena, Kabloom, Musical Mandala
Havanna Lounge: Hector, Fedon
Cult Art: 1960s Marvel Heroes, Limal
Tropical Island: Zopara, Caiman
Colour concepts play an important role, as artificial light requires more intense hues and effects than is the case in, say, restaurants or hotels. Guests will spend evenings or even whole nights here. The clever use of light and lighting concepts can intensify colour and design effects. Royal blue, turquoise, magenta, purple, silver and black are all colours that can be accentuated (rather than "swallowed") by artificial light.
Special requirements for wallpapers in areas with public access
Restaurants, bars & clubs are commercial settings with public access, and many people come through their doors on a daily basis. This means that any wall treatment, including wallpapers, will need to meet certain requirements. For one thing, there are purely functional characteristics like washability and durability that have to be taken into consideration. But stringent building regulations in terms of fire protection as well as the health aspects of materials also have to be considered. Our designer wallpapers, which can also be used in commercial facilities, combine the required features of functionality and atmospheric aesthetics. In addition, modern materials provide the necessary freedom for creative and artistic interior design concepts. The most important points are listed below.
Carrier materials: Paper or non-woven?
Recycled paper is the basis of paper varieties, whilst cellulose and textile fibres serve as carrier material for non-woven wallpapers. The differences cannot be seen, but they are very distinct when it comes to application, functionality and stripping/removal of wallpaper.
For non-woven types, there is no need to apply paste to each individual strip of wallpaper as the adhesive can be applied directly to the wall. Once cut, the strips can be put up immediately. Non-woven wallpapers retain their dimensions, are moisture-resistant and permeable, which means that they can deal with humidity and create a balanced climate in the room. Removing these wallpapers is as easy as pie as they can be pulled off without the need to soak them first. The decision as to what type of wallpaper to choose is entirely based on personal preferences and individual requirements.
Surface materials and washability
Beside colours, patterns and structures, surface materials play an important role when it comes to creating a particular atmosphere. Furthermore, they emphasise specific styles and themes.
Surface materials in restaurants
Wallpapers with surface laminations made of natural materials like bamboo, cork, grass or Muscovite exude warmth and comfort and can help emphasise themes like vegan cuisine or country cooking. A warm atmosphere can also be created by using textile wallpapers, where the top layer is made from fabric or vertical warp threads. Combined with glitter thread, they provide a luxurious feel.
We can also recommend elegant leather-imitation wallpaper with a robust, washable vinyl coating. Not only do they look incredibly real, they also lend an air of exotic elegance to, for instance, fine dining restaurants. Metal wallpapers are perfect for feature walls. Effect foil wallpapers with subtle patterns and structure details are real eye-catchers and seem to shorten the time spent waiting for food to arrive. Generally speaking, almost all surface materials can be used in restaurants, as long as they are durable and comply with fire protection regulations.
Surface materials in bars, clubs, cafés
In line with the general style theme, these are places where interior designers can dig deep into the glittery treasure chest of iridescent, sparkling, glamorous, baroque or metal wallpapers. The specific light conditions alone demand special effects. Metal wallpapers, effect foil wallpapers, glass bead wallpapers, flock wallpapers and leather wallpapers are all suitable candidates. Natural wallpapers with stunning Muscovite elements create a glamorous club feeling. Textile wallpapers and natural wallpapers offer an additional advantage in terms of sound insulation. Again, fire protection regulations have to be adhered to.
Durability and damage protection
Wall treatments for restaurants, bars and other gastronomic establishments must be robust as damages can occur any time, caused by staff or guests. If delicate wallpaper surfaces are chosen, they should be used on feature walls or feature areas only, i.e. where damages are less likely. In all other areas, more durable wallpaper surfaces with stronger grammage are definitely preferable. As the range in our Shop shows, durability does not limit the extremely varied design options.
Wallpaper care - cleaning characteristics
All restaurants, bars and clubs have one thing in common: they are meeting points for large amounts of people. The customer is always right, and wallpapers simply need to live up to these high standards. Finger prints, spilt food or drinks, inquisitive children - there are many potential sources for stains on wallpaper. The main thing is that these stains need to be removed as soon and as easy as possible. This is why wallpapers for restaurants, bars and other catering facilities should always be washable.
The different grades for washability are: wash-resistant, highly wash-resistant and scrub-resistant. In areas that are prone to spillage or other staining, wallpapers should be scrub-resistant or even very scrub-resistant. For gastronomic establishments, washability is de rigeur. Being able to wash the walls equals being able to meet high hygienic requirements.
Fire Protection
Bars, cafés or restaurants are subject to strict fire protection regulations. The statutory fire safety standards determine which characteristics textiles and building materials for facilities with public access have to provide. According to German law, for instance, wallpapers in these facilities need to be certified as "fire-resistant" or "low flammability". This means that the manufacturer can issue the relevant certification. Simply calling it "fire-resistant" is not sufficient.
If you would like to order designer wallpapers from our shop for your restaurant, club, bar, etc. please contact us for more information regarding certification. We will contact the manufacturer and let you know whether a certificate is available.
Wallpapers for a good room climate
Every catering establishment requires wallpapers that are breathable, don't omit toxic vapours and don't put diners off their food. Our range includes pollutant-free wallpapers which have been thoroughly checked in order to give you peace of mind. Choosing a non-woven variety provides the highest standards in terms of room climate because these wallpapers are breathable and absorb humidity. And humidity levels are especially high in rooms where many people gather. This is due to the moisture in people's breath. Plants used as decorative elements will also increase humidity.
