The evolving concept of Coffee Shop Culture

The way coffee is consumed around the world these days has changed. The cafes are changing the world and the world is changing the coffee culture. The coffee shops are not just for serving a hot cup of coffee but they are used as coworking spaces nowadays. The freelancers, entrepreneurs, consultants, students, etc use the cafes as their work space or for holding meetings where they pay per seat or desk and get access to food, beverages and free Wi-Fi because nothing is as refreshing as a cup of coffee.

The café culture has been changing globally and the café owners are now designing their spaces keeping in mind their clientele. Here are a few things that can be considered while designing your café to be used as a work space.

·        Facilities – A coffee station, water area, snack counter, washroom, etc are the must haves. Portable charging stations for phones and laptop also must be there for the convenience of the customers. Cherry on the top would be a small printing or scanning station.

 

·        Tables – You can change the usual setup of restaurant tables by removing the cutlery and napkins to create more room for the laptops and diaries. The tables should be neat, clean and clear.

 

·        Music – Create a playlist that doesn’t hamper the peaceful work environment because nobody likes to listen to loud hip hop music while working or during a meeting. Calming and soothing music in the background can always help you to attract more customers.

 

·        Use of fabric – Fabric has the tendency to absorb sound. Acoustic fabric has the highest sound proofing. So, it can be used on wall panels or ceiling for better sound absorption to cancel unnecessary noise and disturbances. Also, adding more fabric in the form of seating, cushions, rugs, blinds, curtains and runners can also help in better sound absorption during peak hours.

·         Indoor plants – Studies have shown that plants are an effective way of combating the noise and also bringing calmness into a space. This is why being in nature is so relaxing and peaceful. So indoor plants like Fiddle leaf figs, Boston fern, Peace lily, etc can be used for a peaceful work and lounge environment. Also, use of creepers on the facade windows can help in cutting down the glare of direct sun.

 

·        Offer memberships – You can always offer memberships to your regular customers so they can enjoy the discounts. Also, many cafes are coming up with loyalty programmes to attract more customers on a regular basis.