You decide to open a coffee shop because you make excellent coffee – the best in town. However, the brilliance of the coffee you want to sell will depend on the customer experience you provide. And the very first step of creating a good customer experience is creating the right ambience and environment, or in other words, thoughtful design.
The design of your coffee shop can make or break the coffee you sell, no matter its brilliance. The design should be thoughtful, welcoming, and clear. Take the queuing system for example. Would a new customer instinctively know where to stand in line or does the queuing area look confusing? Does your coffee shop look inviting? Is your theme consistent throughout your coffee shop? Many coffee shops make the mistake of adding too many conflicting design elements as opposed to décor that blends in with the design concept.
The bar area or the back end needs to be studied too. Can your baristas maneuver easily behind the counter or are they bumping into each other causing longer waiting times? How are you going to showcase attractive coffee-making machinery whilst hiding the less appealing appliances? Menu wise, are waiting customers able to see the menu or will they only start making up their minds once they arrive at the counter?
With so many dynamics to consider, it makes sense to have a plan, be your first customer every step of the way, and seek the help of an interior decorator. Here are a six variables to consider when designing your coffee shop:
Storefront Design
Your storefront should communicate your brand to your customers before they even step foot in your store. Is your brand easy to identify? Does it standout to passer by prospects? Is it easy to read? Consider the option of outdoor seating – how can your outdoor seating reflect your brand concept and signage? The storefront design of your shop should deliver the impression that your coffee shop is approachable, engaging, and likeable to the society it is serving.
Store Layout
Your customers should feel a sense of welcome once they enter your coffee shop. Returning customers should feel like they are embracing an old friend. New customers should be met with a warm welcome that will leave a lasting impression – remember that first impressions can determine whether customers will return or not. The sense of welcome your coffee shop conveys will depend on how great your layout it. In order to design the best layout for your coffee shop, consider firstly the size of the space you are working with. Then consider things from the point of view of the customer; do your customers know where to stand as soon as they enter the coffee shop? Are queue lines clear? Can your baristas serve customers efficiently even during peak times? Long waiting times my deter busy customers from returning to your coffee shop. Do waiting customers have a good view of the menu and pastries on display? If they don’t, they will only start making up their mind once they reach counter thereby holding up the line.
In-store Design
The design of your coffee shop will depend on the kind of environment you want to create, and that depends on what appeals to your target customers. If you are not sure what appeals to your target customers, do some research first. Do local customers like quaint and cozy, Modern and spacious, hip and trendy, or vibrant and happening? Visit coffee shops that have similar vibes to what you have in mind and take notes as a customer. What do you like or dislike about each coffee shop? What can you improve on?
Once you have chosen your theme, make sure that your design concept is consistent throughout your coffee shop. There should not be any concept deviations in different parts of the space. The artwork you display should match the seating, the wall décor, the lighting, and the counter areas so that everything blends together seamlessly. Creating the right ambience through intentional consistency will ensure that people will come to your coffee shop when they want ‘that’ particular experience you are offering.
Lighting
In order for you to plan your lighting effectively, consider when you have the most traffic.
Natural lighting is all the hype these days but do think about what that would mean for temperatures in your coffee shop, especially if your peak hours fall within the warmer part of the day. Adding sunny windows to the heat that is already being generated by your machines, employees, and customers might makes temperatures too warm for comfort.
In the evenings, use warm lighting such as exposed bulbs – these are historically used in coffee shops because of the soft yellow light they release. You could even create zones or corners for different purposes. Some corners can be bright enough for reading, whilst other corners could have more dimmed lighting so that customers can unwind and relax.
What Kind of Seating do You Want to Include
Consider the following: Is your coffee shop going to be a place where people will come to work? Or is it a place where friends will come to relax? Are most of your customers going to be a rush? Will your coffee shop attract the evening crowd looking for somewhere to linger and unwind after a long day?
Different seating options will accommodate different customers. For example, bar stools are for customers on the go, whilst comfy sofas and armchairs are for customers who want to linger. Also study your location, if you are near a college or high school make sure you have wider tables so that customers can spread out their books and study. Tables and chairs are also great options for people who have come to your coffee shop to work. So having a combination of different seating options will mean accommodating more types of customers.
The Second Office
With technology developing at a rapid rate, it is important to stay in the loop and design your coffee shop with work in mind. Make sure you offer fast reliable wifi and as many power outlets and USB charging stations as you can – you can never have too many charging stations. For your tech-savvy customers on the go, try incorporating mobile -friendly options to eliminate their waiting time. A mobile friendly ordering and payment experience will mean that they can place their order ahead of time and swing by to pick it up when it is ready. This will show your customers that you prioritise their needs on top of serving brilliant coffee.
Remember
To conclude, remember that store ambience is as important as the coffee you sell. With beautiful coffee shops opening on every street, remember to stand out but stay authentic to your brand. Always keep your customers’ needs the focal point of your planning, and create a space that is beautiful, functional, consistent, and welcoming.
