Cafe Tables And Furniture
According to restaurant experts the décor of a café can make or break the business. There are cafés all over the world that come in every theme from shabby chic to ultra-modern. Customers are more likely to patron the ones that are well decorated. This is largely due to the general purpose of coffee shops which is to loiter while imbibing copious amounts of caffeine. These days most cafés are a cosy environment with plenty of seating and a steady wireless Internet connection. Coffee, tea and fruity drinks are a mainstay which is usually accompanied by a choice of treats, pastries and some kind of light meal. The general café environment consists of a bar or countertop, dining areas, seating areas, reading material and decorative touches.
Bar or Countertop
If the café does not employ a wait staff then the bar or countertop is where people will go when they want to order food and drink. Usually there is a glass display that features all of the available baked goods of the day. The countertop can be used to store additional treats under glass or in baskets, such as biscotti or those little black and white cookies. An employee of the café, most likely a folksy looking youth, should be standing there behind the cash register ready to take your order or make you a latte and a sandwich. If you look behind the counter there will be an impressive array of brewing equipment.
Dining Areas
A table and chairs is important in any restaurant environment including the café. There are many ways to go about this. The European notion of a sidewalk café calls for outdoor seating in the form of several small, round tables accompanied by chairs or lined up against a bench. However a café that wants to achieve a more homey feeling might consider the use of square or rectangular tables indoors. All so the better if the table is decorated with a single votive candle or a vase with a single flower inside of it, which makes the coffee and tea taste better.
Seating Areas
Seating areas are essential for long hours of Internet surfing or possibly writing in a public place so that everyone can watch. At the very least guests may prefer to sit on a sofa or accent chair while they enjoy their beverages and converse with their friends. Depending on the decorative theme of the café different types of seating may be employed. The eclectic and funky type of café is usually filled with vintage inspired sofas and padded chairs. But a more modern scheme such as in an Internet café might call for something sleeker. Both should be adequately topped off with cushions.
Reading Material
Reading material is an important aspect of cafés which are so often used by students for studying. People who are waiting for something may not have a book on hand so it is important to distribute brochures, newspapers and indie magazines. The local feeling typically inspired by a good café is perfect for promoters who have an event or publication they want to advertise. Many times these people will come to you asking if it is okay for them to leave a pile of fliers. But they will need a place to put them and that is when shelving and side tables come in particularly handy.
Decorative Touches
Though somewhat superficial in comparison to the machinery used by a café on a daily basis, the decorative touches are what is going to make the theme of a café. Generally speaking the walls should be covered in hangings such as artwork by locals, framed photographs, tin signs or mirrors. Accent tables can be adorned with boxes, candle holders and ceramics, as well as clocks, decorative flora and glassware. Display stands, wall shelves and hat racks are all wonderful additions to a café that can be incorporated into tie in sales. Basically with a little creativity a café can be decorated with nearly anything.