If your space feels off, your guests will notice. They may not say anything. But they’ll feel it.

Bad lighting, sticky floors, loud echoes, weird smells—all of it adds up. It makes the whole vibe feel cheap, even if your service or food is great.

That’s why materials matter.

Not just for how things look. But for how people feel when they walk through your door, sit down, and spend money.

Here’s how to get that right.

1. Start with the floors

People don’t think about floors. But they see them. They hear them. They feel them.

The wrong floor can be loud, slippery, or just plain ugly. The right floor feels clean, sturdy, and makes the whole space feel finished.

Options that work well:

• Polished concrete: modern, durable, easy to clean
• Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): looks like wood, holds up to spills
• Tile: classic, but cold—add rugs to warm it up
• Wood: feels warm, but needs maintenance

Avoid carpet in restaurants. It stains. It smells. It never looks good after year two.

Pro tip: Think about sound. Hard surfaces echo. Add rugs or acoustic panels to soften the noise.

2. Choose walls that don’t feel like walls

Blank drywall isn’t a vibe. It just feels like you haven’t finished decorating.

Try mixing materials to break things up:

• Painted drywall (but in a bold color)
• Textured plaster
• Brick veneer
• Wood paneling
• Faux greenery walls

These add texture and depth. And yeah, they look good in photos too.

You don’t need to go crazy. Just one wall with a different material can shift the feel of an entire room.

Bonus: Consider wall art, signage, or local photography that ties back to your brand.

3. Don’t Ignore the Ceilings

Most places ignore the ceiling. That’s a mistake.

Low ceilings? Paint them darker to cozy up the space. High ceilings? Use exposed beams or panels to add detail.

Even just painting the ceiling something other than white can make a space feel way more thought out.

Want to dampen noise? Use acoustic tiles or hanging baffles. You’ll notice the difference.

Here’s a good explainer on sound-absorbing ceiling options from Acoustical Surfaces.

4. Invest in Comfortable Seating

If your chairs are uncomfortable, people leave faster. That’s not always a good thing.

You want guests to stay long enough to relax. Order a drink. Maybe dessert. Maybe tell a friend about it later.

Cheap chairs? They notice.

Try this:

• Wood chairs with cushions for warmth and comfort
• Upholstered booths for intimacy and sound absorption
• Outdoor materials inside (like rattan or metal) for a fresh twist

Don’t buy seating just because it’s “commercial-grade.” Buy stuff that feels like you thought about the people using it.

5. Use the Right Lighting

Lighting changes the mood. Instantly.

Bright overhead lighting = fast casual, get-in-get-out. Soft, warm lighting = stay awhile.

You can mix both. Use overhead lights for functionality. Use pendant lights, wall sconces, candles, or LED strips to set the tone.

Avoid cold blue lighting. It kills the vibe.

Use dimmers if you can. They’re a game changer.

According to the National Restaurant Association, ambiance (including lighting) is one of the top reasons people choose where to eat. 

6. Pay Attention to Scent

This one’s sneaky. But scent is part of the experience.

If your space smells like bleach or fryer oil, guests notice. And not in a good way.

Try subtle scent control:

• Keep bathrooms clean and lightly scented
• Use HVAC scent diffusers near entrances
• Don’t go too strong—just enough to feel fresh

You want it to smell like food, not cleaning supplies.

7. Design Bathrooms That Match Your Brand

This isn’t the place to cut corners. Guests 100% judge your brand based on how your bathroom looks and feels.

No flickering lights. No busted paper towel dispensers. No gas station vibes.

Materials that help:

• Tile or sealed concrete floors (easy to clean)
• Painted accent walls (skip the hospital beige)
• Floating shelves or custom mirrors for style
• Branded signage or subtle messaging

Small details go a long way.

Think beyond the surface

Don’t just think “what looks cool.” Think “what feels right.”

Design isn’t about impressing people. It’s about making them comfortable. Making them stay longer. Making them come back.

Materials are part of that. When you put the right ones together—floor to ceiling—the whole space works better.

They might not be able to tell you why they liked it. But they’ll remember that they did.

Want help figuring this out?

If your space feels disconnected from your brand, or your materials aren’t holding up—start small. Pick one thing to improve.

Or check out the small business pros featured in House to Home Pages Magazine. These are the contractors, fabricators, and builders who help restaurants and retail spaces feel like they were meant to feel.

Because the guest experience doesn’t start at the menu. It starts at the door.

And the materials you choose set the tone for everything.