At Yuliya Forrest Interior Design, we create bar and pub interiors in Aberdeen and across Scotland, designing spaces that work both as hospitality businesses and as places people genuinely enjoy spending time in. Every project begins with the venue itself: its location, clientele, architecture, operational requirements and the kind of experience the owner wants to create.

A neighbourhood pub requires a different approach from a cocktail bar, just as a hotel bar has different priorities from a busy sports venue. Good bar interior design responds to these differences rather than applying the same fashionable formula to every space.

Designing Atmosphere

People rarely describe their favourite bar by listing its finishes. They remember how it felt.

Lighting plays an enormous role in this. So do acoustics, seating, proportions, music, colour and the relationship between more sociable areas and quieter corners. A successful interior brings these elements together naturally, creating enough energy to make the venue feel alive while still allowing guests to feel comfortable.

The bar itself is usually the visual and operational centre of the room. Its position affects circulation and customer flow, while its proportions, lighting and back-bar display can establish much of the venue's character. Practical considerations such as storage, equipment and bartender movement need to be resolved alongside the visual design.

Seating requires the same attention. Banquettes, bar stools, dining tables, informal seating and standing areas can create different experiences within one venue. The objective is not simply to fit in as many customers as possible, but to use the available space intelligently and create a layout that works during both quieter periods and busy evenings.

Materials also need to be chosen for real hospitality use. Floors, tables, upholstery and bar surfaces are subjected to considerably more wear than their residential equivalents. Durability matters, but it should not come at the expense of character.

From Traditional Pubs to Contemporary Bars

Scotland has an extraordinary pub and bar culture, and there is no reason for every venue to look the same.

We design contemporary bars, pubs, cocktail lounges, hotel bars and entertainment-led hospitality spaces, developing each concept around its particular audience and location. Some projects call for a darker, more intimate atmosphere with rich timber, deep colours and warm pools of light. Others benefit from a lighter and more contemporary approach. Existing architectural features can become part of the identity rather than something to disguise.

This is particularly important when working with established pubs. Modernisation does not necessarily mean removing everything that gives a venue character. A successful refurbishment can retain familiar elements while introducing better lighting, improved layouts, new furniture, stronger materials and a clearer visual identity.

The balance between old and new can often produce a far more interesting result than starting again with a completely generic interior.

These phrases are already incorporated naturally into the copy. There is no need to repeat them or artificially increase keyword density.

The Parkway Inn, Aberdeen

One of our most significant hospitality projects in Scotland is The Parkway Inn in Aberdeen. The project involved the transformation of an established local venue, creating a stronger and more distinctive interior while retaining the warmth and familiarity expected from a neighbourhood pub.

Deep navy, warm mustard tones, timber and carefully selected patterns give the interior its identity, with different areas designed to have their own character while remaining part of the same venue. The gaming room introduces tartan in a contemporary way, while the bar, seating areas and supporting spaces were considered as part of one complete guest experience.

The project demonstrates an important part of our approach to pub interior design: commercial hospitality does not need to feel generic. A pub can remain welcoming and familiar while also becoming visually memorable.

Bar Interior Design in Aberdeen and Across Scotland

Based in Aberdeen, Yuliya Forrest Interior Design undertakes bar and pub interior design projects across Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and other locations.

Aberdeen and the North East have a particularly strong mix of traditional pubs, restaurants, hotels and contemporary hospitality businesses. Designing for this market requires an understanding of both local expectations and the increasingly high standard customers encounter when travelling elsewhere in the UK and internationally.

Edinburgh and Glasgow present different opportunities again. Both cities have established hospitality cultures and highly competitive markets, making a clear identity particularly important for a new opening or refurbishment. Rather than designing according to a predetermined style, we develop the concept around the building, location, target customer and business itself.

Depending on the scope of the project, our bar and pub interior design services can include concept development, space planning, furniture layouts, lighting and electrical plans, bespoke bar and joinery design, material and FF&E specification, 3D visualisation and detailed design documentation.

Bar and pub interior design in Aberdeen and across Scotland. Distinctive hospitality interiors designed around atmosphere, customer experience, functionality and the identity of your venue

Good Design Has to Work

Hospitality interiors experience intensive daily use, so the practical side of bar design is just as important as atmosphere.

Customer circulation, staff movement, furniture spacing, lighting levels, storage and the positioning of key areas all affect how comfortably a venue operates. These decisions are easiest to resolve during the design stage rather than once construction has begun.

For an existing bar or pub refurbishment, we also consider what is worth keeping. Reusing furniture or architectural elements can make commercial sense and preserve some of the history of the venue. At The Parkway Inn, for example, elements of the existing furniture were retained and reupholstered rather than automatically replaced. This helped preserve useful pieces while allowing them to become part of the new interior.

The aim is not to spend everywhere. It is to understand where design investment will have the greatest impact on the experience and character of the venue.

Creating a Place People Want to Return To

For bars and pubs, repeat customers are particularly important. Interior design cannot replace good service, drinks or hospitality, but it can create the setting in which all of those things are experienced.

A memorable interior gives a venue personality. It can help a new business establish its identity, give an existing pub a new lease of life and create spaces customers want to introduce to other people.

At Yuliya Forrest Interior Design, we approach bar interior design as both a creative and practical discipline. The objective is to create an interior that looks distinctive when it opens, works properly when it is full and still feels relevant years later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because interior design is not just about colours and cushions - it’s about how you live, feel, and function in your space.
When you start a renovation, you are already investing time, money, and emotions. Construction work in the UK is expensive and stressful - and mistakes cost even more to fix.
Yuliya Forrest, an experienced interior designer based in Scotland, helps you turn that stress into an enjoyable creative process. She listens carefully, defines your goals (even when you’re not sure what you want yet), and translates them into a well-planned, timeless design that truly works for you.

Renovation is a long chain of decisions: where to put sockets, how to plan lighting, what height the tiles should reach, which wall should carry colour.
Yuliya coordinates it all - from builder communication to material sourcing - so you can focus on the excitement of transformation, not the chaos of construction.
She prepares detailed plans and visuals, supervises the process, and solves questions before they turn into problems. You’ll have one clear voice managing your project - not a dozen contractors calling you every day.

That’s perfectly fine. Most clients start by saying, “I just know what I don’t like.”
Through conversation, mood boards, and visual examples, Yuliya helps you discover your own aesthetic - even if you can’t describe it yet. Together you define what “home” truly means to you, and she brings that to life with balance, warmth, and functionality.

Yes - and often a lot of it.
Designers don’t just make spaces prettier; they prevent costly mistakes. Yuliya knows the market, trusted suppliers, and the technical side of construction. She ensures the right materials are chosen, orders are placed on time, and the overall layout is logical and efficient.
With her experience, you avoid:

Buying the wrong materials or quantities.
Paying twice for the same job because of unclear plans.
Overpaying contractors for design decisions that should have been made earlier.

In the end, a designer doesn’t increase your renovation budget - she helps you spend it wisely.

Homes in Scotland often come with their own character - beautiful stone walls, period details, or unique layouts.
Yuliya understands the local architecture, the building regulations, and the reality of working with Scottish trades. She also knows how to combine classic charm with modern comfort - creating interiors that feel timeless, warm, and authentically Scottish.
Whether it’s a flat in Aberdeen or a countryside home near Edinburgh, Yuliya creates designs that adapt to the northern light, climate, and lifestyle - cozy, atmospheric, and elegant.

Because in commercial design - every detail speaks to your customer.
A well-designed interior is not a luxury; it’s a business tool. Yuliya designs bars, cafés, event halls, offices, and retail spaces where atmosphere equals revenue.
She analyses your target audience, understands how colour affects appetite, mood, and behaviour, and creates interiors that attract and retain clients.
From zoning and acoustics to lighting and durability - every element works together to build your brand identity.
“A great commercial interior doesn’t just look good - it makes your customers feel good, and that’s what keeps them coming back.”

Because space communicates before you do.
Your clients notice lighting, textures, sound, and flow - often subconsciously. A designer shapes that experience to align with your brand’s personality.
A well-thought design can:

Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Encourage longer stays and higher spending.
Improve team productivity and morale.
Reflect professionalism and trustworthiness.

Good design isn’t an expense - it’s an investment with measurable return.

As every project is different, pricing is tailored to each client's requirements.

Fees are based on factors such as the size and complexity of the project, the number of rooms, the scope of work, the level of detail, and the required delivery timeframe.

Depending on the project, the fee may be calculated per square metre or as a fixed design fee.

Following an initial consultation, you will receive a bespoke quotation with a clear breakdown of the proposed services.

Each project includes:

Concept development and moodboards
Floor plans, lighting and electrical drawings
Material and furniture selection
3D visualisations or hand sketches
Procurement support and coordination
Site supervision upon request

Every detail is tailored to your lifestyle, budget, and architectural context.

Bar & Pub Interior Design Across Scotland