Renovating a Cafe: Everything You Need to Know
Introduction to Cafe Renovation
Article by Jude Kamal, Founder & Registered Interior Designer of Sansa Interiors
Renovating a cafe space can be a fun project. There are many factors that need to be considered such as your budget, the timing, location, and our favorite, the design. In this article, we are going to share some of our favorite cafe renovation ideas. A cafe is a special place and just like with restaurant renovation, you have to consider both the operations and design of the space. However, cafe renovation ideas have to be cognizant of the specificities of cafes.
Whether you are a cafe owner looking to renovate, a new and first-time cafe owner thinking of renovating, or a restaurant owner looking to renovate your restaurant space into a cafe or add a cafe space to your restaurant, you have to understand that running a cafe is different from running a restaurant and when renovating a cafe space there are unique factors that come into play.
Our Process of Cafe Renovation
As we always say, there is no one size fits all process to renovation and design. The same goes for cafe renovation. Our cafe renovation process is a combination of certain key factors — Design, timeline, budget & cost, and marketing & outreach.
How do you renovate a cafe?
Design
At Sansa interiors, we approach cafe design and renovation projects with the understanding that the design of every space rests on two main pillars: the Design Story and Operational Design. This goes for both small cafe interior design ideas and modern cafe interior design.
We start by creating a cafe design concept that fits your brand and business goals. And we work with both franchise cafes and single indie cafes. In addition to creating a design story to bring your vision to life, we also start our cafe renovation projects by creating a schematic floor plan for optimal functionality and flow. Because good design is functional design.
How long does it take to renovate a cafe?
Timeline
This is one of the first questions cafe owners want to know when they are thinking about restaurant renovation. The timeline of a project depends on the size of your project, how extensive your renovation will be, and other variables like logistics and the permits you will need from the city of Toronto, Canada. One thing to ensure is that you start your project at the right time of the year. You do not want to undertake a renovation project during a time of the year when you are busiest. For example, if your cafe is located in a downtown area and most of your customers are white-collar employees who stop by for their morning coffee, then the end of the year when most employees are on vacation or foot traffic is reduced could be a good time to renovate.
How much does it cost to renovate a cafe?
Cost and Budget
The budget of your cafe renovation should take into account the scope of work needed. Having a clear understanding of your cafe renovation costs ahead of time is very crucial to the success of a cafe renovation. This is why it is best to consult with and hire a professional. There is a lot that goes into budgeting for a renovation project. You have to take into consideration you are renovating just the front-facing part of the cafe like doing touch-ups and updating the cafe interior design OR if you are going to also renovate the kitchen, buy new appliances, etc. You also have to consider if your cafe renovation ideas require you to make structural changes to the space like knocking down walls or making huge installations.
Outreach and Marketing
Cafes are happy places and offer lots of convenience and community wherever they are located. When renovating a cafe, it is to your benefit to let your customers and community know about it. Outreach and marketing before, during, and after a renovation project is key. Customers need to know you will be closed down for a certain period, and during renovation, it is important to stay in contact with your customers so they don’t forget about you. Lastly, after renovation is complete, do not be shy to spread the word and let new and returning customers know that you have a new and improved look.
Cafe Interior Design
Every cafe renovation and cafe remodel idea should have an interior design plan. A common trend lately is the modern cafe interior design. However, it is ok to have a unique interior design plan so long as it is elevated and has a unique and authentic design identity. Just like with restaurants, there is a psychology to cafe design. The interior design of your cafe is going to tell customers what to expect in the space and also dictates how they feel from the moment they walk in (and also before). For example, the popular cafe chain Starbucks is known for its strong interior design identity. One of the missions of Starbucks is “We believe a coffeehouse should be a place to find connection”. For this reason, they design their cafes to encourage people to stay for a while to work or with friends and lounge. They include couches and work tables and in some Starbucks locations, they even have fireplaces. If you want your cafe to be more of a grab-and-go joint, then you might want to include having comfortable couches and armchairs in your interior design.
Are you looking for a Cafe Interior Designer?
Sansa Interiors is a Toronto-based interior design company specializing in cafe renovations, remodels, and cafe interior design. We have undertaken very successful cafe renovation projects from designing a brand new boutique cafe to a fresh build cafe remodel project. We work with clients to bring their fresh and unique cafe renovation ideas to life. We are experts in the industry and also handle lots of restaurant design projects. Rest assured your cafe remodel will be in good hands. Cafe renovation requires specifics and contingencies that only experts can navigate properly. When you hire a professional, you can work on a fixed timeline and have confidence that your cafe renovation ideas will be executed seamlessly.