Restaurant walls and doors are more than just dreary necessities. Successful restaurateurs know that creating "the right mood" for patrons goes a long way towards building a solid customer base. Diners choose their restaurants based upon different criteria, one of which happens to be a fitting decor. That doesn't just mean a catchy neon sign on the outside window. You can create a pleasant ambience by carefully selecting the right restaurant walls and doors.

Imagine the impact of solid wood custom cafe doors separating the dining area from kitchen area, or the ease of restaurant traffic doors for the kitchen staff who repeatedly march in and out of the kitchen. A restaurant door constructed of solid pine and finished with custom crackle makes the perfect choice for a Mexican-type grill. When shopping for restaurant walls and doors, it helps to explore these options:

1. Consider the aesthetic appeal of wallpaper as opposed to a flat painted surface.

2. Let your restaurant's specific style guide your choice of restaurant doors.

3. Display your menu items on restaurant walls to create a characteristic setting.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Resist the temptation to settle for flat painted surfaces on restaurant walls

Decide whether the new trend toward eye-catching wallpaper is right for you. If your budget allows, splurge on exquisitely crafted window walls.

I recommend: NanaWall Systems, Inc. is a market leader in creating innovative walls for inside and outside dining. Nana Wall's accomplishments include building walls for sports stadium restaurants, yacht club cafes and water front eateries. Regency Wallcraft, which provides free estimates, displays fine workmanship. Their sales representatives can explain why many restaurants are choosing wallpaper over painted surfaces for dining area walls.

Build on your establishment's unique character by choosing the right restaurant doors

While it's no secret that traffic doors are the doors restaurant owners prefer, you can create the same kind of ease and convenience--not to mention a certain decor--with trendy cafe doors.

I recommend: Chase Doors, a leading manufacturer of traffic doors, has been doing business since the 1930's. Chase is a pioneer in the manufacture of traffic doors for supermarkets, institutions and restaurants. Originals in Wood is another market leader in providing restaurant entry doors and interior restaurant doors that are suited to particular decors. Baskins Forest Products makes wood cafe doors and lets you order in small or large volume directly from their website.

Use your restaurant walls to promote menu items or create a picturesque view

Your selection here is limited only by your imagination. Choices in restaurant wall decor are available in many different styles and prices.

I recommend: Wishihadthat offers a unique range of wall shelves and wallboards. Wall Murals Direct is skilled at creating artistic painted wall mural scenes for restaurants and businesses. Vintage Metal Art creates custom scenes that might depict specific menu items.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Since restaurant walls and doors represent a considerable investment, ask for free estimates before making a decision on walls. Also, make sure your restaurant doors come with a money-back guarantee in case you're not completely satisfied.