A coffee shop is a kind of restaurant that sells coffee, tea, cakes, and sometimes sandwiches and light meals.

(HarperCollins Publishers)

When designing the comfort area, lighting and seats are key elements to consider. Drop lights can enhance aesthetics,
whereas comfy seats can make the comfort area more appealing to customers. And since there might be some clients who
might try to get some work done while sipping something in your store.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(insert drawing!!)

The following five elements are important for designing a commercially successful coffee shop.

1. Shop culture that appeals to your target customers

As we already talked, coffee shops are all about serving a great experience. You should not design it based on your own
preference. If you’re not sure about unique features of your coffee shop or what appeals to your target customers, do a bit
of research first.
Find out what appeals to your local customers – modern, retro, relaxing, fancy, child-friendly, French or healthy? Decide it
based on preference of your largest customer group, not your own. For example, if your coffee shop is located in a middle
of outer city suburb with most population comprising of young parents, you better be prepared to have child-friendly
features in your shop. Similarly, your aged or retired audience have a different expectation and taste.
First things first, figure out majority of your target audience and half of your job is already done.

2. Storefront design
Let’s talk your shop’s exterior design. It should primarily be based on your shop’s concept. Your storefront design should
instantly convey your shop’s culture / concept. However, you should also consider following:
 Will you have outdoor seating?
 Is your local council going to let you place umbrellas and barriers for outside seating?
 What are other regulatory requirements set by your local council and/or shopping centre?

3. Branding & signage

Again, your shop’s branding and signage should reflect your concept / culture. Try to match anything and everything from
material, colours and fonts to theme.
Also, make sure that it is easy to read and identify. It is always wise to choose a catchy name that your customers can
easily remember and pronounce. Ensure that you don’t overcomplicate it in attempt to make it standout. Put simply, your
brand and signage should provide a quick overview of your business to the passer by prospects.

4. In-store design
So, we are back to discussing the customer experience. Your coffee shop’s interior is the most important design element.
Don’t forget, your customers are buying an experience, not just a cup of coffee. It is just like buying a caravan. Yes, it is a
mode of transport, but it has more to do with experience than transport.
One of the common mistakes is that owners make slight concept deviations in different sections of the shop. Your concept
should always be constant and evident throughout your shop from artwork, colour scheme, wall décor, to the dining area,
seating area, display cabinets and counter. Most importantly, choose your store lighting that goes with the mood that you
are trying to create. The word ‘ambience’ is widely used in the industry for a reason!

5. Store layout
Another widely seen common mistake is that some owners end up overdoing their shop’s interior decoration. Please be
mindful of the space and setting of your coffee shop. Be wise, improvise and design in accordance with space and layout of
your shop.
Smartly laid out shop will allow your staff to efficiently operate and move around the shop. It also gives a sense of space to
your guests and makes them feel comfortable. You must neither design it for employees, not customers. In fact, you should
consider both, get an optimum balance and lay it out accordingly.
Be very clear about what you need. Do not rush, once you are sure about expectations of your target audience, you can get
started on it.

Elements of Coffee Shop Design:

Brand & Vision

Pinpoint your brand and vision, because every decision and detail should be consistent with and support it. Throughout the
design process, think about the elements needed to make your brand come alive. Know the look you’re going for and if it
supports your brand and core values. Whether you’re going for an industrial, homey, energetic, moody, eclectic–
whatever– look, needs to make sense whether you want to be an in-and-out, contemplative, studious, or social shop.
Include your vision, mission statement and values so your personality and purpose comes out through the design too. Write
down two or three keywords that you think define your brand, and then allow all your design choices to be guided by those
words. Think about how you want customers to see your store, and how to make it happen.

Atmosphere

What do customers see what they walk in? How do you want them to feel? What do you want your atmosphere to
communicate about you? It should be a natural extension of your brand keywords. Have the details give a clear impression
of who you are. Create an environment that carries your vision, to be a comfortable place where customers want to be and
will enjoy your shop. Think of how you can use all five senses to affect your atmosphere and customer moods.

Color

Think about color palettes, and know what feelings are associated with what colors. Where do you want color coming
through? If you’re not sure, start with the basic principle of choosing three colors in a ratio of 7:2:1.

Decor Details

Represent your style and vision to the detail. Everything you choose will either support or deter from your brand. Think
about:

 Communicating your personality- from embellishments like trinkets, accents, jars/vases, plants/flowers, books, etc.
 Practicality- maybe providing wi-fi for students or games for a social crowd; whatever attracts your target market

Cleanliness and durability- picking choices that are easy/fast to clean and will last in the long term

Walls

What your walls are made of and decorated with should match the mood you want to create. Think about:

 Colors and finish. Will it be smooth or textured? Paint, wallpaper or another material?
 Decor/Artwork- whether it’s framed, on canvas, or any unique designs or wall art. Artwork is important since it
affects how people feel and what their eyes will see first. Do you want a unique statement piece to jump out first thing,
or redirect eyes to something else with lines and texture?
 Make sure it’s easy to clean, and all food areas need to be a smooth surface
Floor

The color, finish, material. There are many options from tile, marble, hardwood, concrete, and many designs added unto
that. Consider kick guards too.

Ceiling

I hadn’t even thought about the ceiling until I realized it too plays a big part of the look and feel of your shop. Unless it’s a
statement ceiling, you don’t want people to notice it, so pay attention what you want to do with it now.

Lighting

Natural lighting and big windows are the most ideal, and this will depend on your space. Think about:

 Curtains, blinds or screens for sunlight

 Brightness- choose soft lighting that is comfortable for customers. Definitely not fluorescent… and then have brighter
lighting for work areas
 Fixtures- for each specified seating/work areas. Think about any statement lighting or artistic fixtures to add to your
look.

Furniture

What kind of furniture do you want? How much variety would you like? Think about:

 Seating type- from tables of various sizes to stand up bars, and seating from chairs, barstools, couches, and benches,
there’s a lot to choose from. Consider back support, testing for comfort. Make sure some are ADA accessible. Think
about the color, fabric, size, shape, design, etc.
 Material- wood brings about a homey comfort, metal is convenient. Think about the feel it brings, and the practically
of use. Make sure they’re laminated for the long term, think about it being easy to clean and easily replaceable. Know
your color range, texture, finish, and height.
 Overall design- variety or uniform; what look are you going for? Categorize seating into sections: tables, bars,
couches, etc.

Layout

Consider your bar and entire shop layout, but you’ll go into more detail once you have a space. Think about everything
from a customers’ point of view: what would surprise, annoy, relieve, and convince you to buy something and come back.
Design a layout that makes it an easy purchasing experience, from when they come through the door and walk out. Think
about:

 Customer flow- from where you come in, to waiting in line (gotta see the menu), to ordering and paying, to waiting
for their drink and then picking it up. Decide whether you want it standard coffee shop style, or a combination of table
service. Make sure guests are comfortable and not confused or crowded.
 Counter design- from the customer point of view: line flow, upselling, barista/customer communication, and even
seeing the espresso machine or their drinks made. Divide the counter into clear distinct regions.
 Extras- like a pourover station, merch section, etc.
 Your layout will be a work in progress, especially as it goes from a theoretical design to an actual blueprint. Your
architect will help (especially to make sure counters are ADA height), but either way walk through it, and ask people’s
 opinion for a fresh eye. Think about being a customer in each step of the process. Nothing will be perfect since theory
is different than reality, so know your tradeoffs and what is most important to you.

Bar Design

The bar is the stage of your shop, so think through the aesthetics, flow, and design features, also from the back end of
things as a barista/owner in addition to the customer experience.

 Aesthetics- the material, design and color of the countertops, bar front, back counter, cabinetry, shelving, and back
wall.
 Design- good traffic flow, shape, height, equipment placement. Have speed and efficiency in mind, so customers can
get their drinks quickly (slower delivery time is lower volume). Make things compact to minimize the distance
between tasks and keep things in arms reach, especially while making drinks. A good working area means that you can
take your time to make a good coffee and you won’t need to rush.
 Give everything a spot- your above and undercounter equipment, machines and small wares should be placed where
they’ll be used, and everything you don’t need have on hand in cabinets and shelves.
 Health code- keep in mind necessary hand/food prep sinks according to your health code.

Food Display

Plan to feature your food items in display cases or beverage coolers as customers stand in line before they order. Think
about:

 A glass case or cake dish- making sure refrigerated displays have no condensation. Think about the type (countertop
or floor) and material (glass or plastic), making sure it’s easy to clean. Or maybe you just want your food out on plates,
trays or dishes instead.
 Serving food- cups, trays, glasses, plates and other accessories, and their color and material. Think about the
presentation, customization, sizes, in how you want to serve each menu item and what you’ll need to buy for it.
 Food/drinks- have an idea of your menu items, as well as embellishments/add ons, and your menu board.

Prep Room

have in mind any necessities like a triple sink and mop sink (often required by health), a dishwasher, storage etc. Make
sure the layout is also convenient and easy to work in and clean. Think about if you want any baking areas, an office, or a
place employees can take a break.

Condiment Stand

Milk, cream and sugar should be placed either on the main counter past where customers pick up drinks, or at a separate
station nearby. Give people enough room so more than one person can use it at once, consistent with traffic flow and not in
the way of others. Have it an easy place staff can access it too. Don’t forget the garbage can. Consider the color, finishing,
design features, and cleaning.

Merch Shelves

Your bottom line will definitely increase by selling things other than coffee, whether it’s other food/drink products, or any
type of merchandise like coffee, brewing methods, shirts, trinkets, almost anything in line with your brand. It is very hard
to succeed without an alternative revenue stream, so consider what else you can offer your customers. Think about how
you want to present it, and the size, color, style and finishing of your shelving.
Bathrooms

I always love shops where they’ve paid attention to the bathroom and it’s not just a boring dirty bathroom. Think about the
design and if you want to continue any themes or make it a fun look in itself. Remember to get mirrors, toilet and hand
paper dispensers, garbage cans, sink/faucets, and a soap dispenser to say the least. The health dept and your architect will
also figure out what’s required in terms of size, handrails and hot water tank usage.

Outdoor

Think about how your shop comes across externally. Consider:

 Patio- design, furniture, colors, umbrellas, fencing, and making sure everything is low maintenance, easy to clean, and
durable throughout the weather conditions.
 Signage- check your city zoning for design restrictions. Think about the design, color and logo, making sure it’s
visible for walk and drive by traffic. Make sure you have enough, each place easily seen. Use a consistent lettering
style and color scheme.
 Windows- keep them clean, making sure people are drawn in.
 Door- think about the material, or any design features like adding your logo.

Music

Make customers feel welcome. Pick a music choice that goes with your mood, and keep it a low enough volume so they
can talk. Experiment with music by picking different styles each weekend and watching sales data.

Smell

Keep it smelling like coffee and baked goods. You might want employees to keep away from wearing strong scents.

Dress Codes

Keep it a casual atmosphere, or gear towards having some sort of united look to let customers know who works there. This
also gives employees a sense of professionalism knowing they’re there to serve. It can be an all out uniform, or just a t-
shirt or apron. Pick colors consistent with your brand, having material that’s easy to clean without fading easily. Consider
the design, whether you want to add a logo, or if you want name tags.

there’s a lot to consider in coffee shop design elements, and these are just the basics! As you have a location, work with
your architect, and start finding exact spots for furniture, layouts and equipment, you’ll be going into even more detail. But
it helps to have thought these things through as early as you can, and having a vision board was really helpful to have
everything in one place to be easily edited and updated.