Coffee Shop Design Tips for the Best Customer Experience

By default, a coffee shop is meant to be a place where you buy coffee or drinks in general, as well as pastries and other food. It’s actually far more than that. For London, it began in the 1600s. Ever since then, a coffee shop—sometimes known as a coffee house—was also a place where people could convene. Meetings were held both for work and pleasure; people would share ideas and have conversations. This is largely what coffee shops stand for in today’s modern times as well. Here, friends go to catch up, partners go to have a nice date, students go in order to be able to properly study their books or write their papers and entrepreneurs even have full-on meetings.

You probably have a favourite coffee shop of your own at this point. Whether it’s a global chain or a local business in your neighborhood, there’s a particular place that pops into your mind when coffee comes up. During your last visit, how long did you actually stay and what seat did you choose?

Coffee shop design plays a major role in the experience customers have when going to cafes. The layout and design are all meant to guide you throughout the cafe. Most of them are quartered into particular spaces.

Here are some coffee shop design tips according to those areas for the best customer experience:

Coffee Bar by a Window

This is usually a more casual and speedy experience. The usual point of this design is for people not to stay too long. The seating is usually made up of stools and the bar itself is so high, you can likely make use of it while standing. 

For this area: Comfort is key. Espresso bars and small spaces benefit from this style, but it’s not as relaxing.

Counter

Understandably, the usual main point of any cafe is their counter. Customers are then drawn to order as soon as they walk in. It’s meant for the process to be done fast and as smoothly as possible. The most vital part of this is customers being able to see and peruse the menu. It’s also why barista spaces are somewhat higher.

For this area, keep in mind: take yourself as a customer into consideration. No matter what style of coffee shop you’re in, even if it’s an espresso bar or something that encourages ‘grab and go’, the end goal is for customers to make a purchase. 

Table

This gives off more of a restaurant feel. The vibe encourages conversation, relaxation and the ability to work in peace. Privacy can be had from the smaller, solo tables while sociable vibes come from longer tables.

For this area, keep in mind that balance is key. You can bring in a larger variety of customers if you offer spaces for socialisation and spaces for individuals.

Conclusion

Great customer experiences are key in order for the business to be most successful. Design is a major factor in coffee shops because it’s meant to guide customers through the space. When you’re designing a new coffee shop or renovating your existing one, keep the feel and experience in mind.

Looking to translate your coffee shop design ideas into reality? Reach out to Simply Coffee Shops today! We work with major commercial brands and clients to reinforce their corporate identity by reflecting their unique style within their interiors.