Are you looking for some inspiration and ideas for your cafe’s interior? If so, check out our quirky and original decor and design suggestions that will engage your customers and enhance their dining experiences!
Designing and decorating the interior of your cafe is no easy task. You want to attract customers, create a welcoming environment, and stand out from your competition.
If you’re looking for some interior design ideas to give your cafe a unique and stylish twist then look no further! In this article, we’re breaking down 24 cafe interior design ideas to provide you with the inspiration you need–ranging from reading nooks and mismatched furniture to industrial lighting fixtures and pop art accents. Rest assured, we’ve got something for every kind of cafe and every kind of customer. Ready to learn more? Then let’s dive in.
Contents:
What do we mean by cafe interior design?
Cafe interior design refers to how an interior designer plans and arranges color schemes, furniture, textiles, and accessories within a space that is intended for the creation, serving, and enjoyment of food and drinks by the general public. When designing a cafe’s interior, the designer will not only consider the preferred themes and ideas of the business owner, but will also need to ensure that their design meets the requirements of a hygienic, functional, legally-compliant, and accessible eating establishment.
Interior design styles that apply to residential spaces are commonly seen in cafe and restaurant settings, as well. However, the goal of the interior design for a cafe is slightly different from that of, for example, a home or an office. In addition to adhering to regulations and accessibility rules, interior designers working on a cafe’s interiors need to consider how their designs draw customers in, create an inviting and comfortable setting, and align with a cafe’s established brand. The interior designer will also want to ensure that the design style is decided upon both complements and enhances the dining experience for customers.
24 Cafe interior design ideas
We’ve put together a list of creative, quirky, and unique interior design ideas for you to consider for your cafe.
1. A communal bookshelf
A communal bookshelf is a great way to promote a culturally rich atmosphere in your cafe. As well as being a colourful and visually diverse wall accessory, a communal bookshelf provides patrons with an opportunity for social interaction, offers inspiration to budding writers who may be working in your cafe, and helps to foster a sense of community. Finally, books can contribute significantly to the ambience of your cafe as they add character and an original aesthetic to the space.
2. Plants, flowers, and trees
There are both functional and aesthetic advantages to incorporating plants, flowers, and trees into your cafe’s interior design. By bringing a touch of nature to your cafe, you’ll soften sharper edges and add an interesting contrast to the man-made furniture and fittings of your interior while showcasing your cafe’s unique visual identity. In addition to these aesthetic benefits, foliage improves air quality, absorbs sound, and reduces stress levels; welcome tools in a bustling cafe environment!
3. Unique table tops
As well as giving your cafe unique social media appeal and being a great conversation starter, having vibrant or unusual table tops shapes the overall character of your cafe, reinforces its distinct identity, and makes it more memorable to patrons. Some materials you may want to try out for your table tops are reclaimed or repurposed industrial materials, epoxy resin, or corkboard. If you want to try something really modern, consider incorporating a digital, interactive surface on your table tops which guests can use to play games or order their food.
4. Vintage diner look
Referencing the popular design aesthetic of classic American diners of the 1950s and 1960s, the vintage diner style is known for elements such as vinyl-upholstered booths, checkerboard flooring, and chrome accents in lighting fixtures, furniture, and accessories. This aesthetic typically evokes feelings of nostalgia and familiarity while providing a stylish, distinct, and inviting atmosphere for customers. For ultimate authenticity, consider investing in a working jukebox!
5. Mismatched furniture
If you’re a fan of eclectic interior design, you may want to incorporate mismatched furniture into your cafe’s aesthetic. This design approach will not only give your cafe a quirky and memorable look, but is also more budget-friendly as you can source your chairs and tables from a variety of different retailers–both new and second-hand. Consider checking out some local vintage stores, flea markets, or estate sales and see what interesting pieces you can find.
6. Reading nooks
Is there anything more charming than a cafe with a reading nook? This designated cosy corner where customers can enjoy leafing through their favourite books will help you to attract customers who seek a peaceful spot for reading, writing, or studying. You’ll want to include soft, comfortable furnishings like armchairs, cushions, or throws, and perhaps install a floor or table lamp to ensure there is enough light for reading.
7. Art gallery ambience
It’s becoming increasingly common for independent cafes to work with local artists, displaying their artwork on cafe walls for the enjoyment of customers. Whether paintings, prints, photographs, or collages, by adopting this approach to wall decoration, cafe owners are able to provide a more culturally enriching experience for their diners while supporting and promoting local artists. From an aesthetic point of view, using the walls of a cafe to exhibit artwork is a clever idea; rather than being stuck with the same interior decoration permanently, cafe employees and visitors can enjoy a wide range of visual inspiration that is constantly changing.
8. Pastel colour palette
Although adopting a pastel colour palette may not seem like the most unique choice for your cafe’s fixtures, fittings, and furnishings, it’s not for no reason that this traditional colour scheme is so popular with eating establishments and coffee houses. Pastel hues create calming atmospheres, reflect and enhance natural light, and make a style statement that is both timeless and classic. Patrons seeking a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of modern life will be drawn to your cafe’s harmonious, light, and comfortable setting.
9. Open kitchen
If you’re looking to do something different with your cafe, you might want to consider including an open kitchen. An open kitchen invites guests to observe your chefs in action; preparing and cooking the food they are about to enjoy. Although this interior design choice will not be ideal for every cafe, for those looking to showcase the culinary skills of their employees and offer a more interactive dining experience, an open kitchen adds a dynamic and visually entertaining focal point for customers.
10. Industrial lighting fixtures
Drawing inspiration from elements found in industrial settings such as raw materials and exposed lightbulbs, many cafes are choosing to use industrial lighting fixtures to add a modern yet rugged touch to their cafe’s interiors. While copper and brass fixtures are commonplace in establishments that have embraced industrial design, pendant lights, rustic chandeliers, and pipe lighting are also popular choices to achieve this aesthetic.
11. Accent lighting
Accent lighting, that is when light is used to draw attention to certain features or areas of a space or its design elements, can be a simple yet effective way to create a stylish atmosphere in your cafe. Whether used to promote merchandise or products, to improve visual comfort for customers, or simply to set a certain mood, this design choice can add depth to the room and provide a visually compelling environment for your customers with the use of just a few strategically placed lights and lamps.
12. Global fusion
A celebration of diversity, global fusion is the harmonious blending of a wide range of design influences and elements from multiple cultures and regions across the world. Commonly, this is expressed through eclectic furnishings, colourful, patterned textiles, recognizable cultural symbols, and the serving of an international and inclusive cuisine. This approach promotes a multicultural and creative experience for its patrons both visually and ideologically.
13. Mood lighting
Unlike accent lighting, which seeks to highlight specific features of a cafe’s interior or products, the goal of mood lighting is to create a very specific atmosphere for cafe patrons and employees. This is achieved through the use of elements and techniques such as warm colour temperatures, dimmable lighting, backlit elements, or natural lighting. By being intentional with their lighting design choices, cafe owners can create welcoming and visually stimulating environments that contribute to and align with the cafe’s established aesthetic.
14. Bicycle-friendly cafe
With the rising popularity of bicycles, rental bikes, and e-bikes, bicycle-friendly cafes have become a much-loved adaptation to traditional cafes. This type of cafe seeks to actively welcome and encourage cyclists, both professionals, and amateurs, and create a small community around this sustainable mode of transport. There are numerous ways this is done, but common elements of a bicycle-friendly cafe include plenty of parking space for bikes, outdoor seating, a bike repair station/access to tools, and flyers or posters promoting local cycling events. Many choose to decorate their cafes to align with the theme too, using bike frames or bike parts as fittings or wall decorations.
15. Chalkboard walls
A chalkboard wall in a cafe refers to when one or more walls are painted with chalkboard paint, providing a surface for staff, customers, and even local artists to write or draw. As a way to attract customers, particularly those with young children, chalkboard walls create a dynamic and engaging environment, while for staff a chalkboard menu enables them to easily make additions or on-the-spot changes to the food and drink options available.
16. Nautical theme
With decor, accessories, and design elements inspired by the maritime world, incorporating a nautical theme in your cafe is an effective way to evoke thoughts of the sea and coastal living. A particularly popular choice for establishments with links to the sea, or situated close to it, nautical-themed cafes typically feature decorative elements such as anchors, ropes, and framed maritime maps or artwork. The benefit of this interior design style is that it can make customers feel like they have stepped out of their lives and into a welcoming seaside retreat.
17. Pop art accents
If you’re a fan of the pop art movement of the 1950s and 1960s, then you may be considering decorating your cafe with some elements inspired by this colourful and dramatic design period. Incorporating pop art accents such as bold, primary colours, geometric patterns, and framed prints or posters from the time can help you to create a visually stimulating, fun, and inviting space for your customers and staff.
18. Community wall
A community wall in a cafe is a space designated for community news, events, announcements, and business promotions, where customers can share or find information and local resources. You may choose to install a large cork board for these flyers, notices, and posters or paint a section of your wall a different colour to indicate it is the community wall. Cafes that have a community wall can become hubs for local action, support, collaboration, and information sharing; all of which reinforce the cafe’s links to the neighbourhood and create a positive and inclusive environment for customers.
19. Geometric shapes and patterns
Geometric shapes and patterns are commonly used in cafe (and home) interior design to create a dynamic and stimulating environment. Whether in geometric floor tiling, wall tiling, mosaic tabletops, patterned wallpaper, or furniture design, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t overwhelm your visitors with too many patterns by being selective in the design elements you choose to focus on. To subtly reinforce your chosen theme, you might want to consider including geometric shapes and patterns in your menus, signage, and promotional materials, too.
20. Candlelit ambience
Creating a traditional and romantic atmosphere through the use of candlelight is the dream of many cafe owners. There are numerous ways to do this. You might decorate your tabletops with tealights, pillar candles, or taper candles, or line your counters with votive or container candles. Suspended candle fixtures can create a more dramatic look, while for those on a budget, putting candles in empty jam jars and hanging the jars on a wire can look just as attractive. While there’s no doubt that real candlelight can look magical, we’d recommend using LED flameless candles in your cafe, where possible. This will create a similar ambience while significantly reducing the risk of a fire.
21. Accent walls
Accent walls refer to a wall space that has been designed or decorated to draw attention, conjure interest, and be an attractive focal point in the room. This is done through the use of colour, wallpaper, textiles, artwork, murals, and decorative wall hangings. More unusual accent wall ideas include creating a wall full of different mirrors, planting a vertical garden, or installing decorative shelving to display oddities and trinkets.
22. Lots of mirrors
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Incorporating lots of mirrors into your cafe’s interior design can produce numerous stylistic and practical benefits. Not only do mirrors enhance the natural light filtering into a cafe and create the illusion of space, but can also provide significant visual interest to customers. If you want to up the glamour, consider investing in some mirrored furniture, while if you love shabby-chic or vintage interior design styles you might want to hang some antique mirrors to support this aesthetic.
23. Framed photos and prints
For so-called “living room” style cafes, framed photos and prints are a must to evoke a particular mood or era. Many cafes choose to exhibit the photographs or prints of local artists, historical photographs of the cafe’s location, or photographs and prints created by the staff or customers. This helps to build up a connection with the neighbourhood, support authenticity, and create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
24. Stylish centrepieces
If you want to anchor and define the aesthetic of your cafe’s interior, then stylish centrepieces will play a key role in doing so. While traditional table centrepieces like cut flowers, potted plants, and candle displays all work well in an eating establishment, consider leaning into your own theme, era, or culture that ties in with the rest of your decor. For example, if your cafe has a retro or vintage vibe, you could place rotary dial telephones on each table as fun and on-theme centrepieces.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found some inspiration in our rundown of 24 cafe interior design ideas! Our one last piece of advice would be: whether you love the idea of including a cosy reading nook or you like the sound of creating an indoor jungle in your cafe, be sure to be consistent in your theme and stay true to your brand, aesthetic, and target customer. We also recommend checking out this Interior Design Project by AND learner Vinay Prajapati for a practical understanding of cafe design.
If you prefer outsourcing your cafe design to a professional interior designer and dont know any, here is an article to get you started: 13 Best Interior Designers in India
To know more about interior design, visit our blog, or consider the following resources:
- Watch this session by Snehanshu Mukherjee, Founding Partner at T.E.A.M and Mansi Almadi, an Interior Designer at Studio Lotus
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Check out our Interior Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts.
- Take advantage of the scholarship and funding options that come with our courses to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
