The correlation between atmosphere and appetite

What's for dinner tonight? Regardless of what you serve, the atmosphere where you eat your food may have a stronger impact on your overall dining experience than you may think.

This is why restaurant businesses around the country, ranging from fast-food joints to upscale locations, are paying special attention to their design motifs. "There is a direct relation between build-outs, creating the ideal experience, and having a successful concept," Josh Siegelman of the Commercial Observer reports. "Interior design is certainly not an aspect one should overlook or try to cut corners on."

Customers often associate the ambiance of a restaurant to the quality of food it serves. When a restaurant visitor feels relaxed and luxurious, he or she is likely to feel comfortable purchasing higher-priced food items.

So how has the interior design of restaurants changed in recent years? "Perhaps the most popular swatch of new designs has been the rustic themes that entail woodwork, dark tones, exposed brick, and an industrial aesthetic," Siegelman says.

Even McDonald's recently underwent a major makeover. The fast-food chain has upgraded its look to feel more like a sit-down restaurant than a quick stop for a Big Mac. Many restaurants in the chain replaced their neon yellow inside with more subdued color pallets and swapped their original exterior for a more aesthetically pleasing brick facade.

How can you apply these techniques to your own Milwaukee home? Start by updating any outdated styles throughout your house, including carpeting, shades, and window treatments. Stick with modern patterns, which include neutral colors. You can also create an inviting kitchen with the help of Bazaar's wood blinds, which add a rustic feel that is right on trend.