Picture hanging spaces abound in the hospitality industry, from hotels and event halls to fitness centers and spas. Among them is one of the most vibrant spaces for decorative art—the food and beverage sector.
The purpose of art in an F&B space is closely tied to the overall experience of any patron or guest. There is much more to it than just creating good ambiance or decorating for decorating’s sake.
So what does picture hanging in these spaces for socializing, food, and drink involve? In this article, we’ll bring you the lowdown—what types of establishments fill up this category of picture hanging space, the value of picture hanging in these spaces, and the picture hanging hardware that can most effectively provide this value for your F&B space.
Let’s jump right in!
Picture hanging spaces in hospitality: Food & beverage
Dining, as a basic human need, is one of the most personal and intimate activities. Through food and drink, we bond with others and socialize. Bringing this domestic activity into a public and commercial space involves carrying over the aspects that enable comfort and ease—satiating food, ample and comfortable seating, a clean table setting, and a peaceful dining environment.
One of the hospitality industry’s many different sectors caters to these dining needs with a host of establishments:
- Restaurants
Cafes
Coffee shops
Bistros
Bars
Pop-up restaurants
Food stall/kiosks
Cafeterias
Catering
Food trucks
Whether it’s a bistro or a stall at a food market, F&B services employ design and decor to stand out and make a good first impression on potential diners. How these places appear can be the key to drawing people to them and building the expectations you want for your business—for instance, if it’s a fine dining restaurant, a higher value will be placed on presentation compared to a fast food place.
However, the role of each space’s furnishings and design does not end with drawing guests in. The undeniable atmosphere created by your decor will set the tone for the entire dining experience, until the moment a guest walks out the door, and become firmly tied to your establishment.
How to hang pictures and decor in F&B spaces
So how does one establish decor in a cafe or restaurant? Or cafeteria or bar decor? And just as important, what hardware is best for picture hanging in these settings? In this section, we’ll walk you through each essential consideration, and of course, we’ll have recommendations at the ready every step of the way.
Look good for the lookout.
We recommend: Sign standoffs
Begin from the vantage point of each guest—that is, look at your spot from the outside. What image do you want a person to form when they chance upon your coffee shop or food stall? Make it as forward as possible from that outside, passerby’s perspective. Your storefront signage should be clear and distinct. Be upfront about your offerings and display your menus on menu boards or panels so guests can see what you have before they even enter. Leave a good impression right at the door.
Go for the welcome.
We recommend: French cleats, wall buddies, brick clips
Great, now you are escorting new diners inside! Whether or not it’s their first time dining there, they will take the place in, and they’ll see your decor as you have meticulously brought it all together. For artwork such as cafe art, menu boards, and other wall decor like mirrors, hang them up using sleek French cleats. Wall buddies also leave a clean look like cleats and keep those pictures firmly in place. If your space has exposed brick, brick clips are your best friend.
Don’t let your decor slip away.
We recommend: Tremor hooks
Your setup is now looking very nice. If you have a bar with bar decor or a coffee shop, the picture hanging hardware you used in the previous step is sufficient. But not all F&B places are the same—some are mobile or temporary. Food trucks and pop-up restaurants, including their decor, are more vulnerable to disruptions from swaying or shaking. Special hardware that limits movement, like tremor hooks, is perfect for these spaces.
Make your pictures bustle-proof.
We recommend: Security kit
Now with your wall art and decor carefully displayed, you can pat yourself on the back. But as more and more guests pile in, you get the feeling that maybe some of the artwork can use a little more security, just in case. Maybe you have a few particularly valuable pieces, or maybe you just want to prevent any tampering with your cafe art. Take the extra step to add a security kit to these works, like Picture Hang Solutions customer Jason McOmber did for this gallery wall display at a pizza restaurant.
A security kit will not only keep your pictures safer, but also protect guests and staff from accidents and injury.
Secure your furniture.
We recommend: Anti-tip kit
Keeping a busy place as accident-proof as possible may be challenging, but you can cover as many bases as you can. Now that your pictures and decor are not likely to be a source of mishap anytime soon, you need to secure any piece of furniture that poses a falling or tipping hazard. This means large dressers, display cabinets full of china, and shelves with heavy antiques. These can be made much safer and more well-protected using safety hardware.
Make the final touches.
We recommend: Ceiling grid hooks
Just a last touch or two and you’re ready to welcome guests into your business. Look around and appreciate the curation of decor you’ve put together. Is there anything missing? Maybe some greenery? Try hanging planters together with some potted plants along corners and doorways. If you have ceiling grids available to you, hang the planters overhead with the help of some ceiling grid hooks. These hooks are also great for seasonal decor, making them visible and easily removable.
Final thoughts
In decorating commercial spaces like restaurants and cafes, aesthetics and economics must go hand in hand. A thoughtfully designed space attracts the right people, creates the right expectations, and offers the right atmosphere. You must also consider not only what makes your space look good, but also what makes it free of deterrents from a smooth and satisfying experience. Here, hanging hardware has a big role, quietly but steadfastly keeping these spaces pleasant, enjoyable, and worthwhile.
Happy hanging!
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