Trends in Restaurant Flooring: Restaurants share their stories through interior finishes – July 2024
By Jessica Chevalier
In the age of experience, restaurants are expected to provide more than a good burger. In their best iteration, restaurants offer an escape from not only the kitchen but the hustle of life itself, through atmospheres that tell stories about their philosophies, their food and the experience a customer will have dining within them. “Each restaurant has a story to tell, and the flooring sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience,” says Arnavaz Barshan, director of design for Durkan Hospitality.
A custom broadloom from Mohawk’s Definity program in Tampa, Florida’s Sacred Pepper.
Flor’s Shadow Hills carpet tile in Houston, Texas’ Understory food hall. Design by Michael Hsu, Office of Architecture. Photo by Chase Daniel.
In setting that stage, flooring must answer a number of different calls. Barshan continues, “Flooring plays an integral role in shaping the ambiance, comfort, and practicality of the space. Traditional options like natural stone, wood, and luxury vinyl are favored for their elegance and durability, but carpet has emerged as a standout choice for its transformative and acoustical qualities. Prized for its plush texture and extensive customization options, broadloom carpet and area rugs embody a harmonious fusion of warmth, comfort and refinement. Their inviting surfaces encourage guests to unwind and savor their meals leisurely. Moreover, the inherent sound insulation properties of carpet contribute to an intimate atmosphere, reducing noise levels and fostering tranquility-a highly sought-after trait for upscale establishments.”
WeCork’s Eco-Nomical Collection cork flooring in Proof Lancaster, located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
A custom Mohawk Definity broadloom in Dynamite Woodfire Grill in Omaha, Nebraska.
Most importantly, a floor specification must be well-suited for the story the restaurant hopes to write, requiring partnership between the hospitality designer seeking the perfect specification and the flooring manufacturer designing the product.
Flor’s Full Kilt carpet tile in Punch Bowl Social Chicago. Design by Punch Bowl Social and OZ Architecture. Photo by Amber Boutwell.
Interface’s Level Set LVT in the U.K.’s Prezzo.
Hand-tufted custom broadloom by Mohawk in Codo Agave Social House in Calgary, Canada.
Interface’s Antique Light Oak LVT in Singapore’s Born Restaurant.
Flor’s Urban Nature carpet tile in Joe Theismann’s Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. Design by Carlee Cardwell/Dambly Design. Photo by Judy Davis.
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