Art in Restaurant Interiors – Tips & Tricks
A restaurant visit is about more than just what’s on the plate. It’s about the atmosphere, the surroundings, and the small details that make you forget everything else for a while.
In our view, art on the wall is the finishing touch that gives a space more soul — especially in a restaurant. Whether it’s an abstract splash of color that brightens the room (as in the photo) or a painting that adds texture to a sleek design, it invites conversation at the table and creates a unique identity for the restaurant.
At restaurant Brugwachtershuisje in Hamme, Belgium, you can see how a carefully selected artwork perfectly balances the green accents in the neutral-toned interior. Warm, modern, and inviting.
Are you, as a hospitality entrepreneur, considering hanging art in your restaurant? Bernice is happy to help — and we’re already sharing these tips with you:
(text continues under the image – art by Gert De Clercq)
Tip 1: Ask yourself, “Does this fit my brand, target audience, and price level?”
The right art strengthens your identity and leaves a lasting impression on your guests. Art should support your story.
For example, do you run a fine-dining restaurant? The art consultant at Bernice suggest minimalist art or refined paintings for your dining space.
Tip 2: Consider lighting, sightlines, and placement
Art truly comes into its own with the right presentation. At Bernice, we prefer to hang artworks at eye level, taking into account the seated height of guests.
Also be mindful of pieces that hang too low — they can be vulnerable to chairs bumping into them. Avoid placing artworks in narrow, high-traffic areas.
Tip 3: Have many returning guests? Create dynamics with a rotating art collection.
Bernice standardly provides one rotation per year. This gives your restaurant a unique character and a story you can share on social media and with your guests. At Restaurant Bar Coupé in Temse, Belgium, an art rotation creates a new vibe at the restaurant every season (see images below).
Some guests appreciate a small card next to the artwork with information about the artist — although we do not make this mandatory.
