Sometimes, life treats us with unexpected gifts. One of such instances is inheriting a house. If you feel perfectly comfortable staying where you are, you might opt to transform your newly acquired property into a beautiful coffee shop. But, this decision comes with multiple responsibilities.

First of all, you have to develop creative solutions to make the place as comfortable as possible. You need to consider how much space you want to dedicate for your guests, where to create the barista station, etc. Furthermore, you should determine which design elements will make your coffee shop unique and fun, including finishes, furniture, lighting, paint, and textiles.

This article provides some of the best tips for turning your old house into a thriving coffee shop. Use them wisely to make your renovation process go smoothly and deliver the best coffee experience in your neighborhood!

 

Start With a Unique Idea

Besides, you might want to consider where you want to place furniture and other amenities, like chalkboard walls, themed artworks, and bookshelves. The solutions you choose to implement ultimately depend on your idea for the place. Do you want to set up an intimate atmosphere or create the ultimate hangout spot for groups of friends? Determine what feelings you want to evoke in your clients, and go from there.

 

Tackle Necessary Repairs and Upgrades First

Since you are renovating an old house, some repairs and upgrades will likely be necessary before opening your coffee shop. It is better to start with these important tasks first, as they might require more time and resources.

Assess the structural integrity of the property, checking for issues such as plumbing, electrical systems, and insulation. Specifically, pay attention to the roof's condition, as it plays a vital role in protecting your investment. If you discover signs of wear or leaks, consider hiring a professional roof repair service in Rainier, WA, to ensure the building is secure and safe. The same applies to other major systems, like heating and cooling.

Also, consider upgrading certain aspects of the property to fit your coffee shop's needs. This could include adding additional outlets for coffee machines or installing a new heating system if needed.

Once these foundational repairs are completed, you can confidently move forward with your design plans, knowing that your space is both appealing and functional.

 

Search for Design Inspiration

If you lack creative ideas that would make your business stand out, feel free to get inspired by creators around the world. You can turn to numerous places in search of inspiration, including websites like Pinterest and Elle Decor, interior design magazines, and Instagram accounts of famous interior designers, such as Sarah Sherman Samuel and Emily Henderson.

Try to look for proven ideas that will work in your particular case. For instance, if you are going for a combination of retro and modern, you might want to mix wooden furniture with round-edge finishes. On the other hand, if you plan to make minimalism the focal point of your coffee shop, you can fill it with clean lines, white linens, and clutter-free shelves.

 

Do Not Forget About Music and Lighting

Two aspects that many coffee shop owners underestimate are music and lighting. Both of these can significantly impact how your customers will view your business and whether they will visit your locale again or not.

 

Music

As people usually look for a pleasant experience rather than a simple act of drinking a cup of coffee, many of them will pay particular attention to the type of music that plays in the coffee shop they visit. If they like the repertoire, they are more likely to come around more often or recommend the spot to their friends.

For this reason, you should ensure the music playing in your coffee shop is appropriate in both content and volume. After all, you do not want an inappropriate song to ruin the meticulously-crafted mood you always wanted to create. Genres such as modern folk, classical rock, or jazz should work well for sipping on hot and cold drinks.

 

Lighting

Similarly, as no one wants to sit in a dark room, you need to ensure your coffee shop has sufficient lighting. Otherwise, your customers will complain about it and possibly turn to other cafés and coffee shops in the area. Remember that some people come to coffee shops to work or study, so they need to be able to see what they're doing. Even if you plan to use fewer lights in your café to create a unique atmosphere, consider placing candles or lanterns in critical areas such as tables to keep them well-lit.

You should also choose types of lights that are suitable for your purposes. In the case of a coffee shop business, using neon lights and halogen lamps is probably not the best idea. Instead, aim for something more subtle that will emanate stable and non-intrusive lighting.

 

Choose Your Equipment

In order to function properly, every coffee shop needs the right equipment. While making your decision, keep in mind that virtually everything depends on the kind of place you're trying to build. Overall, one of the best things you can do is invest in quality over quantity.

To get you started, you'll need the essentials such as automatic coffee drip makers, an espresso machine, an industrial coffee grinder, as well as industrial-grade blenders, ovens, and toasters. There's no point in purchasing cheap equipment that won't handle the high frequency and intensity of use. You certainly don't want to see everything break down after a few weeks.

If, besides coffee, you're planning to sell beverages such as juices or smoothies and serve food like sandwiches or pastries, you'll also need to invest in juicers and display cabinets. Additionally, it's always a good idea to have disposable, eco-friendly cups with the logo of your store. Avoid plastic and polystyrene foam on cups or straws. Instead, opt for biodegradable materials.

 

Remember About the Storefront Design & Outdoor Signage

Every coffee shop needs an eye-catching storefront design. It goes beyond just the front windows. Old houses often feature porches, consider decorating it one of your priorities so it looks cozy and inviting. Consider putting out seasonal decorations - make colorful wreaths to hang on the doors, arrange some potted plants, get a personalized doormat. If you don't have a porch, you can decorate the walkway and the lawn around the house.

When it comes to outdoor signage, keep in mind that it's the element that holds the power to tell your brand's story. Therefore, it's in a good sense to invest in the services of a skilled and experienced graphic designer who will come up with a few ideas. The look and style of your signage should complement the whole concept of your shop - there's nothing that the clients love more than a cohesive design.

 

The Bottom Line

One of the most important steps when turning an old house into a coffee shop is knowing what you want the final products to look like. This is why you need to take time to think about all your ideas thoroughly. Try to decide on something unique so you can stand out from the crowd and attract more customers. Don't be afraid to look through various websites and design magazines to find inspiration.

Keep in mind that the music and the lighting you choose can have a huge impact on the way people will perceive your locale. When investing in equipment, try to go for quality over quantity and don't forget that the way your coffee shop looks from the outside is equally as important as everything you decide to do with the interior. Good luck with running your business!