Inviting, on-brand - and utterly Instagrammable.
It would be a huge understatement for us to say that the world of coffee shop ownership is competitive. And in few places is it more so than Harrogate, home to Betty’s, that most famous of coffee-and-cake hangouts.
So we knew we’d have to design something really special for independent speciality coffee shop Pink Door in Harrogate - an interior scheme which is welcoming and social with more than a hint of picture-perfect pull to draw in the town’s glamorous coffee crowd.
From an empty shell to a ‘Gram-ready café hotspot in mere weeks - here’s how we approached this design.
It’s all about flow…
Come for the coffee - stay for the experience.
As with all our bar and restaurant clients, the key to the perfect coffee shop ambience is to create a considered and naturalistic flow.
By making pathways and waiting areas clear, people are able to move instinctively and comfortably around the space - no awkward looming over someone’s table as they try and enjoy their latté in peace, no jostling and shuffling as staff edge past a standing queue.
Instead, a flow that’s obvious from the moment you enter the space combined with an instantly visible counter and menu boards cements that all-important great first impression, together with an instant feeling of relaxation and welcome.
That means people are more likely to want to hang around - and crucially, to come back again.
Maximising space
So great flow is essential - but it’s equally important to have as many bums on seats as possible without it feeling crowded!
To maximise the space available, our fab carpentry team created a run of ultra-comfy bench seating that wraps around the sides and back of the shop.
To the front and in the window seats, stackable, pale-toned wooden stools provide versatile seating options, allowing table covers to be reconfigured easily if needed without interrupting movement from front to back of the property.
On-Brand Blend
For Pink Door, the palette was never in question! And it wouldn’t be a DesignTonic worthy space without a real pop of colour.
So we teamed a spectacular pink cladded counter with a subtler tone for the walls to create warmth.
We knew that the key to keeping this scheme from becoming too candy-sweet would be to play with different shades of pink, building a cool and contemporary look, and to team them with other materials and distinct shades.
The fluting on the counter and the warmth of the pink hues is mirrored by rich oak wall cladding that runs the length of the opposite walls and flows round the bench seating at the rear of the shop.
And, to add a touch of contrast, a further visual pop and to further connect the café’s monochromatic logo with the space, we used touches of black with chairs, blinds, shelving and counter skirting.
We finished the space with a little classic DesignTonic biophilia - bringing in a natural softness with some planting and a fabulous floral bench with a purpose beyond the practical…
Insta-Worthy Experience
There’s no denying that one of the most effective ways to market your business is to encourage your customers to spread the word for you.
For a new venue in a busy town, a little free marketing on social media is gold - and how better to encourage customers to share their location and experience than by creating a beautiful selfie spot?
This oh-so-pretty floral swinging bench provides the perfect backdrop to entice people into snapping and sharing - a brilliant way to give the café a viral helping hand and show how worthy it is of a visit.
Top tip - we’ve placed the logo at the perfect height to keep it visible in posts and Stories :)
And, best of all, this makes smart use of a tricky area which juts awkwardly to interrupt the flow of the space - it might otherwise have stayed relatively unused.
Sophisticated comfort
Lastly, we used some stunning materials to inject touches of sophistication and elegance to the overall comfort of the space.
The bench seating is cushioned in softly padded, plush pink velvet, while cream and gold globe wall lights cast a soft glow on customers as they drink and dine.
And tables in a beautiful pink-veined marble add an elegant flourish to this fabulous space - a picture-perfect space that’s ideal for a coffee and a chat with friends!
Visit Pink Door Harrogate:
150 Kings Road, Harrogate, HG1 5HY
Coffee shop, restaurant, office, bar, brewery - whatever your next design project, make sure to talk to our team.
