10 things to know before planning your cafe fitout
Melbourne’s relationship with coffee is truly unique. We wouldn’t be surprised if it was actually coffee running through everyone’s veins! In Melbourne, you’ll find world-class baristas who take pride in crafting the perfect cup of coffee. This commitment to quality has made Melbourne a destination for coffee lovers from all over the world.
If you are thinking of finally realising your life-long dream of opening a cafe, Melbourne is definitely a place worth investing in. When it comes to opening a cafe, there are a lot of things to consider. While you probably have the cuisine and restaurant style down pat, you’re going to want to start thinking about the design and layout of your cafe fitout.
The layout of your cafe can make or break your business. Time invested at the front end of the project will reap the rewards at the end. a well-thought-out cafe fitout will result in a smooth flow of traffic and happier customers. A poorly planned layout will cause congestion and frustration. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to plan the perfect cafe fitout.
Things to consider for your cafe fitout:
1. Pick the type of atmosphere you want to create
Do you want your cafe to be a cosy place where people can relax and chat with friends? Or do you want it to be a more fast-paced cafe where people can get their coffee and go? The type of atmosphere you want to create will dictate the kind of layout you need.
2. Consider the flow of traffic
You need to think about how people will move through your cafe. There should be a clear path from the entrance to the counter and from the counter to the exit. You also need to take into account any obstacles that might obstruct the flow of traffic, such as furniture or displays. A perfect example of this would be to look at our Industry Beans project. It allows customers to check out the food while having a seating area where they can sit down and enjoy their coffee and snacks.
3. Make sure you have enough space
You need to make sure that your cafe has enough space for all of your customers. This means having enough room for them to queue up at the counter and enough tables for them to sit at. If you’re tight on space, consider using smaller tables or getting rid of chairs altogether (standing tables are becoming increasingly popular).
4. Don’t forget about storage
We can’t stress the importance of storage space enough! Your cafe is going to need somewhere to store all of its supplies, such as coffee beans, cups, and spoons. Make sure you have enough storage space for everything you need, and that it’s easily accessible so that you can restock quickly and efficiently. Our hospitality fitout at Charlie Dumpling shows off how we make your stored goods look great!
5. Choose furniture that fits your style
Your furniture should reflect the overall style and atmosphere of your cafe blueprint. If you want a cosy, homey feel, choose comfortable armchairs and sofas. If you’re going for a more modern look, opt for sleek, timber or metal chairs and tables.
6. Use lighting to create ambience
The right lighting can make all the difference in creating the perfect atmosphere for your cafe. Soft lighting is perfect for creating a relaxed vibe, while brighter lights are better for a more energetic feel. You can also use lighting to highlight certain areas of your cafe, such as displays or artwork.
7. Decorate with care
Your decor should complement the overall style of your cafe while also making it unique. Think about what kind of message you want to send with your decor and choose accordingly. For example, if you want your cafe to be seen as an upscale, sophisticated place, you might choose elegant artwork and luxurious-looking furniture for your fitout. On the other hand, if you’re going for a more fun, quirky vibe, you might opt for colourful paintings and vintage furniture.
8. Consider acoustics
Acoustic design, while often overlooked, is extremely important to the success of a cafe venue. If you want your customers to be able to stay awhile and chat with friends, then you need to make sure that your cafe has good acoustics. This means avoiding excessive use of hard surfaces like tile or concrete that can cause echo, and incorporating softer, absorbent materials like carpets or curtains. You might also want to consider sound-absorbing panels if noise is really an issue.
9. Pay attention to details
It’s the little things that will make your cafe stand out from the rest. Think about things like matching tablecloths and napkins, unique sugar packets or stir sticks, or even branded coffee cups. It’s these small details that will help give your customers an enjoyable experience and make them want to come back.
10. Breathe!
No matter how well you plan, there’s always a chance that something will go wrong on opening day. That’s why it’s important to have a plan for things like power outages, plumbing problems, or even bad weather. By being prepared for anything, you can ensure that nothing gets in the way of your successful grand opening. That’s where Ramvek comes in!
With 35+ years of experience under our belt, our project managers make sure that every item is checked off your list. With a team of 60 people working together including 10 project managers that oversee all of our projects, you can be sure your project will receive all the attention it deserves. Our biggest compliment is knowing that your opening day runs as smoothly as possible, and we’ll do everything to ensure that happens.
With local contractors and craftsmen that work on the finer details of your project, you can be sure Ramvek will get you from blueprint to bartop in the quickest time possible!
Make the best use of our in-house design team for any project, whether it’s retail, commercial, or hospitality. With a dedicated estimating department and a 5000m2 workshop purely for production, you can rest assured that your construction is in the right hands. Contact us today to get a tailor-made estimate for your next project.
