A great coffee shop experience is all about great coffee, yes? Well, yes and no. Of course, you want to be serving excellent beverages and tasty food, but how do you stand out from the crowd and make sure people choose your coffee shop over all the others?
A great addition to your product and customer service quality is the DESIGN.
At Esquires Coffee, we've spent years perfecting the layout, feel, and overall design of our quirky little coffee shops, and each one feels unique. Here, we share the importance of coffee shop design.
WHY IS COFFEE SHOP DESIGN IMPORTANT?
There are plenty of fantastic reasons why you should consider how a coffee shop is going to look and feel. From the initial getting customers through the door to making them want to come back, customer experience and satisfaction are key.
STOREFRONT DESIGN
Let's start with the outside. The front of a coffee shop should attract customers, appeal to the right demographic and make them want to come in and sample your wonderful offerings. This means clean windows and doors, clear signage and a little flair.
Esquires Coffee shops are often in interestingly-designed buildings with well-lit windows that show off the interior. Outside seating is always a winner as well.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Speaking of the right demographic, coffee shops need to be designed in a way that not only appeals to their target audience but also caters to them. For example, there is no point in having a store designed for children and families but with no space for pushchairs or highchairs.
BRANDING
The design of a coffee shop plays a crucial role in establishing and reinforcing the brand's identity. It helps communicate the values, personality, and uniqueness of the coffee shop to customers.
A cohesive and visually appealing design can differentiate the coffee shop from competitors and leave a lasting impression on customers. Coffee shop design and branding should flow from the fonts and logos, all the way through to the colours used for the walls, furnishings and decorations.
A fantastic brand is alluring at the start and easy to remember, helping to establish that all-important front of mind.
INTERIORS
A great deal of coffee shop design is, of course, in the interior. Functional, attractive, consistent, interesting - the list goes on. Bringing all of these elements together is easier said than done, but it's essential to get it right, as it will play a huge part in the overall customer experience.
Interestingly, different colours can evoke different moods and even stimulate the appetite. Many coffee shops and restaurants attempt to find the perfect formula, although it is partially subjective, which is why variety is king.
LIGHTING
Lighting should never be underestimated. Ambience can be light, bright and fun or low and intimate, or anywhere in between as long as it suits the atmosphere. Variety is popular in coffee shop lighting design; wall lights, lamps, and pendants can be used to create cosy corners and well-lit areas.
LAYOUT
There are two things to consider when it comes to layout. Firstly, layout is an incredibly useful design feature. It can create a unique feel and help to maximise the full potential of the space. When becoming an Esquires Coffee franchisee, we offer store design tips to help consider every detail. For example, many of our coffee shops include details such as smooth, straight lines created by bench seating complemented with plenty of natural light and hanging plants.
Secondly, it is paramount that it is functional. A well-considered floor plan will help improve flow, safety and even speed, all of which contribute to overall customer experience.
CUSTOMER FUNCTIONALITY
An effective coffee shop design takes into account the flow of customers within the space. It considers factors such as the arrangement of seating areas, the positioning of the counter, and the placement of equipment to optimise efficiency and create a smooth customer experience. A well-designed layout can prevent congestion, facilitate movement, and enhance overall functionality.
ATMOSPHERE AND AMBIANCE
The design of a coffee shop sets the overall atmosphere and ambiance, which greatly influences customers' experience and perception of the space. A well-designed coffee shop can create a welcoming, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing environment that encourages customers to spend time and enjoy their coffee.
TEXTURES AND MATERIALS
Being on-trend has its pros and cons. On the one hand, modern design is current and attractive; however, it may need updating more as in-style interiors can look dated faster. The best way to combat this is to use a combination of textures and materials that can be interchanged easily to freshen the place up without a full refurbishment.
At Esquires Coffee, we know a thing or two about coffee shop design. Our stores have been described as quirky with an independent vibe. As one of the top coffee shop franchises in the UK, we offer our franchisees fantastic opportunities and support, taking care of all their design needs (amongst others). Contact us for more information on franchising.
Want more design tips? Check out our guide to Coffee Shop Design Ideas for Small Spaces.
