This is part four of our series on how to run and maintain a cafe. Find the other resources in the series below:
- Finding The Right Audience For Your Cafe
- Cafe Interior Design: Using Colour and Decoration
- How To Select Your Ideal Cafe Furniture
- How To Choose The Best Cafe Layout
- Cafe Decoration: Adding The Finishing Touches To Your Cafe
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Introducing a welcoming cafe layout is very important. How your furniture is arranged has a part to play in your cafe’s ambience and can have a big impact on how efficiently your staff can work.
Coffee shop design is an integral part of the success of a cafe and it heavily impacts how well the venue operates. Continue reading this guide to find out the best cafe floor plan and what you can do to optimise the space.
Choosing the right cafe furniture
Choosing furniture that perfectly suits the layout of a cafe can make the space more accessible and inclusive. Small cafes can feel cosy and intimate, but they can also feel cramped if not designed properly. Optimise your space by choosing furniture that can be easily rearranged and by creating defined areas for different activities such as dining, reading and working.
Read our guide on how to select the right furniture for your cafe to learn more.
Make your cafe for everyone
When you open a cafe, any type of person can enter. Therefore, it’s important that you create an atmosphere that lets everyone know that they are welcome, no matter who they are. For example, wheelchair users should be able to easily access and navigate your coffee shop via ramps, lifts or elevators. There are other things you can do to make a cafe more inclusive, including:
- Providing good lighting for customers who may have visual impairments
- Improving the acoustics for customers who may have hearing impairments
- Providing storage options for those who require them
- Including tables with rounded corners can help customers navigate the cafe
Investing in these areas can make a real difference to the customer experience and can help your business succeed as a result.
Cafe layout tips and considerations
There are a few quick tips you can implement when considering your cafe floor plan to improve your space’s functionality.
- Round v Square Tables – As a rule of thumb, square tables can work better where a space is smaller than desired, to help accommodate more people. Round tables on the other hand can work better if you have an abundance of space. Square tables give you the ability to reconfigure your dining space – ie put 2 or more tables together to accommodate larger groups.
- Sections – If your cafe has defined sections you should lean into them. Where you can, create a nook that can be used as a more private area. Make use of big bay windows that customers can sit and enjoy the local scenery out of.
- Partitions – Simple partitions can also be used to create separate areas. These can help to define different types of patrons, such as diners and those simply grabbing a coffee.
- Takeaway – You should be offering takeaway drinks and snacks for customers on the go. There should be a small but clearly defined waiting area for takeaway customers that won’t disturb those sitting in.
Click here for the next blog in our series on running a successful cafe.
Shop cafe furniture with Warner Contract Furniture
Our cafe furniture is built to last rigorous usage. We look to deliver your furniture as quickly as possible and always offer our furniture at competitive prices.
Explore our cafe furniture, or contact our team to discuss bespoke furniture. Also, make sure to check out our blog for more coffee shop ideas.