5 Restaurant Design Trends to Watch in 2025

At Copper & Ash, we believe that great design is about more than just how a space looks. It’s about how it makes you feel. In the world of hospitality, ambience plays a vital role in shaping every diner’s experience. It’s the subtle magic woven through a restaurant’s interiors that invites guests to relax, connect, and savour the moment. While the food and service set the stage, it’s the atmosphere created by thoughtful interior design that truly brings the story to life.

Every element, from lighting and colour to materials and layout, contributes to the mood and energy of a space. Here, we share six key design features that help build that perfect atmosphere, the kind that keeps guests coming back time and again.

1. Lighting that Sets the Scene

Lighting is one of the most powerful tools for creating ambience. Warm, soft lighting gently welcomes guests, encouraging a feeling of intimacy and comfort, perfect for a quiet dinner or a relaxed evening with friends. In contrast, brighter, cooler lighting can energise a space, lending itself to lively, casual dining. Layering different light sources, such as pendants, wall lights, and candles, brings depth and warmth, allowing the mood to evolve naturally throughout the day.

2. Colour Palettes that Speak Emotion

Colour is emotional language. Deep, rich hues create a sense of luxury and calm, while lighter, natural tones open up a space and invite freshness. Earthy greens, terracotta, and warm neutrals are especially effective in connecting diners to nature and creating a welcoming, grounded atmosphere. When carefully balanced, colour transforms a restaurant from a simple space into an experience.

3. Soundscapes that Comfort and Connect

Often overlooked, sound plays a huge role in ambience. Too much noise can make a space stressful, while too little can feel empty. Thoughtful acoustic design using soft furnishings, textured surfaces, and clever spatial planning helps create a pleasant background hum that supports conversation without overwhelming it. This careful balance invites guests to truly enjoy their time and each other’s company.

4. Layout and Flow with Purpose

How a restaurant is arranged influences how comfortable guests feel. A well-planned layout offers a sense of privacy without isolation, guiding visitors effortlessly through the space. Features such as booth seating, semi-private nooks, and open views to the kitchen or bar create moments of connection and intrigue. These design choices support not just the flow of service but the flow of human interaction.

5. Materials That Bring Warmth

The materials used in a restaurant’s interior can make a huge difference to how the space feels. Natural woods, exposed brick, and textured fabrics bring warmth and character, making the environment feel cosy and welcoming. Using a mix of different materials adds interest and depth, helping the space tell its own unique story. We also believe in choosing sustainable and locally sourced materials whenever possible, not only because they look great but because they show care for the environment, something many diners appreciate today.

6. Signature Details that Leave a Lasting Impression

It’s the little things that make a big difference. From a striking light fitting to a curated art wall or bespoke furniture, unique design features give a restaurant its personality. These thoughtful touches often become memorable highlights, the moments guests want to capture and share. By weaving brand identity into these details, a restaurant’s story shines through in every corner.

7. Designing for Pace as Well as Atmosphere

Not all restaurants are designed to encourage long, lingering meals. Some, like the fast food, QSR and grab-and-go venues we’re currently working on, benefit from a very different approach to ambience. In these spaces, interior design plays a key role in encouraging quicker turnaround times without sacrificing style or comfort.

For example, seating choices are still considered carefully, but with subtle design strategies in place. Chairs and built-in benches might be shallower, firmer, or less upholstered than those in fine dining restaurants. They remain comfortable but subtly nudge guests not to overstay. Tables are often more compact and positioned slightly closer together, allowing for efficient use of space and quicker transitions between diners.

Colour palettes in these faster-paced environments also tend to be bolder and brighter, injecting energy into the space and reflecting the dynamic nature of the brand. Combined with punchy graphics and durable, easy-clean materials, these interiors are designed to work hard without losing their edge.

It’s a different kind of atmosphere, but just as important and just as carefully crafted.

Designing Ambience with Intention

At Copper & Ash, we understand that every design decision shapes the experience. Ambience is not just a backdrop but an integral part of storytelling, the silent voice that enhances every flavour, every smile, every conversation. By carefully crafting each element with intention, restaurants can create spaces that feel welcoming, memorable, and truly alive.

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Matt Ward

Director at Copper and Ash

Matt began his career working in Product and Industrial design in 2008, where he developed his keen eye for detail and obsession with the inner workings of a project. He then spent time with some of the country’s leading interior and branding design agencies, where he helped national and international brands create immersive customer experiences.
Since 2022, Matt has enjoyed completing countless projects for independent brands across the UK with Copper and Ash.

The Power of Interior Design in Creating Restaurant Ambience

1. Lighting that Sets the Scene

2. Colour Palettes that Speak Emotion

3. Soundscapes that Comfort and Connect

4. Layout and Flow with Purpose

5. Materials That Bring Warmth

6. Signature Details that Leave a Lasting Impression

7. Designing for Pace as Well as Atmosphere

Designing Ambience with Intention

By Matt Ward

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