The looks behind the lattes. How different coffee shop esthetic’s can affect you, and your business

Introduction

I’m sure we you have walked into some independent coffee shops and some are filled with warm colors, plants, and visually pleasing furniture. While other shops look as if they came straight from the future, with white walls, minimalistic furniture, and sleek designs that look it came from the future. Coffee shops come in all shapes and sizes and some might not know that each one has a purpose as to why it is design that way and what type of people it attracts.

layouts, bars, and reading nooks.

The layout of a coffee shop can implicate multiple things. Most people may think that a coffee shop serves one purpose, which is to serve coffee. Well that is where most people are mistaken, coffee shops are so much more than just a place that serves coffee.

Cozy Corners for Solitude:

Some coffee shops have cozy corners encouraging a place to read, maybe do homework and relax. These types of shops are cozy and intimate encouraging focused work and introspection. A place to escape the hustle and bustle of life and makes you relax with your hot pumpkin spice latte.

Long Communal Tables for Networking:

Larger coffee shops with connected communal tables encourages networking and a place to get projects done. These types of shops and cafes generally attract college students, business owners, and business people. This type of layout and environment fosters new connections with strangers ultimately building community.

Café Counters for Quick Breaks:

Smaller coffee shops might just have bar seating or a high tables next to the coffee bar. These coffee shops are primarily targeting the “on the run” or “quick coffee break” type person. When someone just wants to pop in to grab some coffee, these layouts are perfect for the grab and go experience.

Open Spaces for Creativity:

These are my personal favorite types of coffee shops. These have a little bit of everything. The coffee shops have open layouts, are often large with lots of natural light that inspire creativity. These shops often don have many obstructing views which helps foster the creative energy these coffee shops tend to give off.

Secluded Corners for Reading:

While this type of coffee shop may seem similar to the first, did you know that some coffee shops are designed for book lovers alike? They often have reading nooks to provide a sense of isolation to provide readers to dive into their book undisturbed.

Colors and Their Psychological Impact in coffee shops

the restaurant and beverage industry often rely heavily on color schemes due to their phycological impact on the consumer. Most big chain palaces rely heavily on color phycology to influence the consumers decision. For example red and yellow actually evoke the taste buds and stimulate the apatite. Which ultimately leads to higher sales.

Why is this important with coffee shops?

Well coffee shops are a little different. while some coffee shops do have a full food menu and some don’t, the reason coffee shops are different than a restaurant is they are mostly trying to hit the atmosphere checkbox rather than induce a phycological plot to make you spend more. Coffee shops and cafes alike want you to feel how they envisioned their coffee shop. So if someone is going for a ultramodern coffee shop with natural colors and lots of seating, that coffee shop will invoke a sense of clarity and to sit down and study. While another coffee shop might have warm tones of color invoking a sense of relaxing with your friends and loved ones, or maybe crack open a book. When you have the right color pallet and layout of your coffee shop you can achieve some wonderful things and build a great community.

Some color examples and how they effect consumers

  1. Calm and Serene Blues: Coffee shops with blue color schemes often create a sense of calm and serenity. This color is associated with tranquility and can be ideal for those seeking a peaceful space to work or read.
  2. Energetic Reds and Yellows: Bold reds and yellows stimulate the senses. Coffee shops that use these colors can create an environment that encourages conversation and social interaction. They evoke a sense of energy and excitement.
  3. Earthy Tones for Comfort: Coffee shops that incorporate earthy colors like browns and greens offer a feeling of warmth and comfort. These shades often make patrons feel cozy and at home.
  4. Minimalistic Whites: A minimalist white or neutral color scheme can create an open, uncluttered ambiance. It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer simplicity and clarity in their surroundings.

Creating and finding the perfect coffee shop.

If you are planning to open a coffee shop remember, the layout and color scheme you use can have a great impact on your customer base and overall energy of your coffee shop. One thing to keep in mind is the key demographic as to where your coffee shop is going to be. If you are in an area with a younger customer base you would find it easier to plan for a layout and color scheme for that key demographic. Not to say that if you don’t do this your coffee shop wont be a success, It might be slightly harder to get a different demographic into a coffee shop geared towards a separate demographic. Again though, that could also work in your favor.

Conclusion

Whatever brought you to this article. If you’re a seasoned coffee shop owner, someone who wants to open a coffee shop in the future, or you just needed some help trying to find the perfect coffee shop for you. I hope you learned something new. Colors can impact our day to day lives so why not learn what they actually do?

Plan on opening a coffee shop or cafe?

Check out my shop to find the Ultimate starter guide to opening a coffee shop This guide goes over a larger category of color pallets, menu creation, locations, how to do demographic research, name and logo creation, and so much more.