4 Restaurant Flooring Ideas to Consider

Opening and running a restaurant entails so much organization. There are many decisions to make—from choosing the staff to planning the menu. Don't forget the decor: it is one of the essential parts of a restaurant because it creates the ambiance. 

Running a restaurant is a significant undertaking—keeping up with the interior aesthetics is even more so. Most often, people worry more about the look of the tables and the waiter staff, but what about the flooring? 

In this guide, we'll cover four restaurant flooring ideas, each bringing a unique blend of durability, safety, and design to the establishment. 

The Importance of Quality Flooring 

The flooring is the foundation of your decor aesthetic, so it must be functional and safe. Unfortunately, it is easy to take the floor for granted and assume that no one cares about what it looks like. But the truth is, a restaurant's floor does more to add to the interior aesthetic value than you think. 

Evaluating regulations for different areas, particularly prep spaces, is crucial when selecting quality flooring options. Moreover, it is essential to check how well the floor holds up because if you cut corners and go for a cheap flooring option, it will wear out after some time. You might start seeing lumps, cracks, and an uneven surface. 

4 Popular Flooring Options for Restaurants 

So, what type of flooring should you use? There is a wide variety of choices when selecting a restaurant's flooring. You may even find yourself weighing between a seamless look or a combination of materials. 

If you don't know where to start, you can look at these four restaurant flooring ideas: 

1. Luxury Vinyl Flooring (Tiles or Planks)

Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are among the most popular restaurant flooring materials. While LVP mimics the look of wood, LVT is designed to resemble stone, metallic, or abstract patterns, making it suitable for modern and classic decor. When selecting these materials, opt for premium brands to ensure the best quality and longevity. 

There are various options for luxury vinyl tiles in today's market. From different textile and textured overlays that add elegance to the establishment to hand-painted artistic elements, each design offers a unique appeal. Like all vinyl flooring, LVT requires little maintenance and is durable enough to withstand countless feet of traffic. 

2. Eco-Friendly Resilient Flooring

If you want something most restaurants have, one excellent choice is eco-flooring, which uses slip-retardant materials. Suppose you continuously worry about wait staff or customers slipping on the floors. In that case, roll vinyl flooring will be ideal because it uses dynamic underfoot traction to make the floor impossible to slip. 

Other restaurant floor ideas, such as Armstrong's biobased tile, are right for the environment and affordable alternatives to standard recycled composite flooring. Eco-friendly, resilient flooring is durable and water-resistant; all you need to maintain it is thorough polishing. Also, this kind of flooring can have a stunning visual appeal. 

3. Commercial Laminate Wood Flooring

Laminate is another excellent choice, offering unique visuals while being highly damage-resistant. You also have many options, especially if you're looking for a more earthy style. 

You can even find a reclaimed wood look that adds real character to a restaurant to fit the theme. If you want a rustic environment, you can mix old styles with the new to give the restaurant a unique look. 

4. Commercial Hardwood Flooring

You may also prefer using commercial hardwood flooring in the restaurant. Commercial hardwood floors are popular for their perfect color, finishing balance, and extra durability. Moreover, this product is even more durable than traditional hardwood, making it the right choice if foot traffic is heavy. 

Why Restaurant Flooring Matters 

There is much to consider when selecting restaurant flooring—from appeal and comfort to safety and durability. In short, restaurants face many daily demands. Just keep in mind that the restaurant flooring you choose, either for your business or your client's business (if you're a contractor), will speak volumes. 

Although a restaurant's floor may not be a huge discussion topic among guests, flooring is something everyone interacts with. It has an effect, subconsciously or otherwise. So, why does restaurant flooring matter? 

First Impressions 

First-time customers entering a restaurant will immediately assess their surroundings, and what they see will create expectations. Customers will first notice the interior design of a restaurant, and this will include the flooring. 

If the floors of restaurants are dirty, damaged, or worn out, customers will expect a lower caliber of service and satisfaction. A restaurant with beautiful, appropriate flooring will substantially increase the chances of giving off good first impressions to first-time customers. 

Lasting Impressions 

Restaurant flooring must also give a lasting impression. Customers and guests should develop an emotional attachment to the space and, by extension, the restaurant's brand. 

The restaurant flooring should be on-brand in both style and substance. If you aim for a chic, modern club, opting for a more neutral and sophisticated color like blue and gray is better. Whatever choice you make, you must ensure the restaurant flooring you pick will complement the brand while ensuring guest comfort. 

Invest in Floor Doors and Panels for Restaurant Excellence 

For better functionality, you should also install the appropriate access door, like our BA-FT-8050-SL floor door. Whether it is for electrical wiring, plumbing, or ducts, Best Access Doors can surely deliver. 

Explore our floor panels product line and discover the ideal solution for your project's needs. Call us at (800) 483-0823 for expert guidance, or request a quote to get started on your project today!