There is nothing better than going to your favorite coffee shop and relaxing with a piping hot cup of coffee and a tasty treat. It is the relaxed atmosphere that cafes provide that makes them so popular with all kinds of people.
Cafes are a great meeting place for friends to catch up in a stress-free environment. Although the pace is fast, there is never a rush in a cafe environment. Many people also choose to hold informal business meetings because the environment is much more relaxed than the office.
It’s a big investment when you decide to open a cafe, but the rewards are much more than monetary. People who are passionate about hospitality and excellent customer service in general are often very successful. However, a well-run cafe is based on strong and efficient management. However, passion and strong management aside, the success of a cafe often depends on preparation long before it is served to the first customer.
A cafe is no different than any other business when it comes to the legwork that is required. Make sure everything you plan to do is clearly defined: finances, cafe renovations, staff, opening hours; everything needs to be determined.
After establishing these basics, you can start thinking about furnishing the cafe. The furniture you use in your establishment can determine how many people walk through the door and how long they end up staying.
To get an idea of what to look for when buying your cafe furniture, here is a simple list of things to consider:
1. High quality. It really is true: you get what you pay for. Buying furniture from trusted suppliers is a great way to ensure that you won’t be replacing items on a regular basis. Also, you don’t want your customers drinking their coffees on the floor after they’ve dropped a cheap chair.
2. Super stylish and attractive. If the chairs or cloaks you buy don’t look appealing, people won’t want to spend time or money in your cafeteria. Basically, if customers have a relaxed and enjoyable time on their first visit, you can be sure they’ll not only come back, but tell their friends about it too!
3. Does it go with the coffee theme? Keep color palettes in mind when choosing your furniture. Not just for the walls, but for any prints you have on the walls, as well as floor coverings and any occasional pieces you want to use.
4. Comfort. So the chairs seem comfortable to sit on, but are they really? Try everything your customers will be sitting in… And not just for five minutes. Sit down and stretch. Sit in different positions and for at least 10 minutes.
5. Durability. If you’re taking the time and money to buy attractive and comfortable furniture, you need to make sure it lasts. Look for the weak points of the furniture, the method of joinery and also how easy it is to clean.
6. Affordability. This comes down to being realistic. You need to consider not only the cost of the item, but also how long you’ll have them, how often you’ll need to replace them, and how easy they are to clean.
By taking the time to research your coffee shop furniture, you’ll ensure you’re on the right path to running a successful coffee shop.