Cafés

Designing Cafés That Invite

A well-designed café must strike the right balance between a visually compelling design and an efficient and practical layout. Customers want a space that feels inviting, while staff need a floor plan and arrangement that keeps service smooth and consistent. AW Architectural designs cafés that function effortlessly, but also encourage customers to stay.

Costa

Designing For Flow & Experience

Cafés need to prioritise speed without feeling rushed. We start with the service counter, optimising barista workflow to ensure a seamless handover between order, preparation and collection, without damaging the visual aspect of the space. Storage, display areas, and Points-of-Sale are arranged for easy access and efficient movement, and also to integrate with the rest of the environment.

The seating area is designed for flexibility. Some customers want a quick coffee, others plan to sit and work. We balance seating types, ensuring a comfortable mix of solo spots and communal tables, as well as relaxed lounge areas where possible.

Key Considerations for Café Design

You can check Our Design Process for a detailed description of our methodology, but café design can generally be broken into four basic elements. These basic café design elements consist of:

Layout

Counter layout designed for barista efficiency.

Comfort

Seating arrangements that balance turnover, comfort and visual attractiveness.

Ambiance

Lighting, acoustics and materials that create a welcoming feel and boost the visual impact.

Practicality

Practical storage solutions that maximise space, without disrupting the visual integrity and allure of the cafe.

Pret A Manger Café interior

Why AW Architectural Design?

With over 15 years of experience, we understand how cafés function and how important it is for those spaces to have captivating designs. From independent coffee shops to high street chains, we design spaces that work for both staff and customers. Whether launching a new café or refurbishing an existing one, our design will improve efficiency while enhancing the customer experience.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in architecture and interior design, and explore the innovations shaping the spaces we work in