Creating a Coffee Shop Floor Plan: Examples + Tips

A good coffee shop floor plan accounts for your shop’s electrical, plumbing, and sanitation needs and uses furnishings and barriers to guide customers through the ordering process. The best coffee shop floor plans are easy to navigate and adhere to the accessibility standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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Designing your coffee shop floor plan is just one step in opening a coffee shop. You can create a coffee shop floor plan with a simple pen and paper or use a floor plan app. Whichever system you choose, you’ll need to configure customer-facing areas (also called front of house) and staff areas (also called back of house) and add furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) to comply with health code and appeal to your target customers.

Coffee Shop Floor Plan Examples

The examples below showcase several different types of coffee shop floor plans. We’ve included information about each layout’s size, ideal location, and target customer to help you find the best fit for your shop.

Coffee Counter

Description: This pit-stop coffee shop relies on grab-and-go sales without seating.
Why it works: The small footprint allows this shop to meet customers where they are, in business cores or near rail lines. This floor plan is built for speed to serve customers quickly on their commutes or work breaks. A quick-stop shop should utilize vertical space to sell retail items like mugs and coffee beans or impulse purchases like newspapers and chewing gum.
Location: Busy center city locations where real estate is expensive; business districts; near business and transportation hubs
Size: 600 to 800 square feet
Target customer: Take-a-breakers

Galley-style Coffee Shop

Description: This midsize shop has a long espresso bar running in the back of the shop, intimate seating arrangements of various sizes spread throughout. It may also have a drive-thru where zoning permits.
Why it works: Most of the shop is given to flexible, movable seating. Customers can move the furniture easily to accommodate different size groups, and staff can move furniture to accommodate events like live music and book readings. This layout also pushes the espresso counter to the back of the shop to allow staff a broad view of the service floor, so they can easily see areas that need cleaning or restocking.
Size: 800 to 1,000 square feet
Location: Large suburban shops with parking lots
Target customer: Socializers

Pocket Coffee Shop

Description: With an espresso bar facing a wide open entrance, limited seating, and lots of retail display space on the walls, this circular configuration makes the most of tight spaces.
Why it works: Circular countertops and seating spaces remove sharp angles that can be difficult to move around. Staff and customers can maneuver easily around the space. The lower levels of the circular bar are ideal for showcasing impulse purchases.
Size: 900 to 1,300 square feet
Location: Busy shopping centers and malls
Target Customer: Shoppers, socializers

Full-service Coffee Shop

Description: A narrow counter on the same plane as the front door, with counter seating along storefront windows, provides good sight lines.
Why it works: Large, street-facing windows allow a shop to showcase visually impactful back wall displays. Running countertop seating along these windows increases occupancy while making your shop look busy and inviting (placing electrical outlets near the counter encourages customers to sit). High-contrast outdoor signage helps customers on foot find your shop.
Size: 1,500 to 2,000+ square feet
Location: Busy shops in an urban center, shops in suburban strip malls.
Target Customer: Take-a-breakers, shoppers

Large-scale, Full-service Coffee Shop

Description: Lots of lounge seating spread across various levels and rooms allows customers to use the space as a meeting place for casual dates or business meetings.
Why it works: Large coffee shops have a community expectation that they act as a backup living or meeting room for local residents and travelers. As a result, many large coffee shops create room dividers with shelves or furniture that display merchandise. To allow room for lines to form, the espresso counter tends to run along the widest wall and be sited at the back of the shop. Where zoning allows, large shops set back from the road benefit from signage posted at a height that can be seen for several blocks or even a nearby highway.
Size: 3,500 to 4,000+ square feet
Location: Large shops in city centers or suburbs
Target customer: Socializers, shoppers

Key Factors for Planning Your Front of House

The first step in designing your coffee shop floor plan is considering your customer-facing areas, frequently called the “front of house” (FOH) areas. In a coffee shop, the FOH also includes the preparation areas where you make beverages; the customers can see it, after all. Your FOH layout will be influenced by your shop’s location, size, relation to the street, and target customer.

A coffee shop’s physical location greatly impacts its look. Coffee shops in densely populated cities or historic neighborhoods tend to be set close to the street and rely on foot traffic. Meanwhile, shops in suburban areas or strip malls struggle with visibility because they’re often set back from the street in wide parking lots. Coffee shops in college towns and small towns have the benefit of a captive audience that sometimes comes with the added pressure to act as a community hub.

The size of your space will determine what possibilities you have. Small spaces with limited square footage may seem like a challenge for creating a coffee shop floor plan, but they allow staff to reach all areas of the operation efficiently. Shops with a large footprint have the space to accommodate many customers but may struggle to create a layout with minimal blind spots. Minimizing blind spots is key to keeping your coffee shop clean.

Your target customer is your final consideration for creating your shop’s floor plan. The different customer types influence your shop’s fixtures and furnishings. We discuss the major coffee shop customer types in detail and how their preferences impact your coffee shop layout in the fixtures and furnishings section of this article.

Additional Factors

The espresso counter is the major set piece in any coffee shop. To fit the machine, the counter itself only needs to be about two feet wide. But in addition to the counter, consider a back bar workspace for your staff on one side and a gathering space for customers on the other. You should allow for at least 14 feet of width on your floor plan.

Wi-Fi is another connection you need to consider, not just for your customers but also for your own operation. If you plan to use a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system, like Square, you want to be sure that the Wi-Fi router is not blocked by walls, as this can create communication issues and cause your system to malfunction.

All places of business open to the public have certain obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You can find the document in full on the ADA website, but essentially the ADA will impact the width of aisles, doorways, counter height, and restroom design. Some buildings of historical value may be excused from a few of these obligations, but you want to be sure to check your local building codes to stay on the right side of the law here.

We’ve compiled some of the most common ADA requirements that affect a coffee shop floor plan. You’ll want to keep these measurements in mind as you lay out your aisles and fixtures and set aside space for bathrooms and line formation.

ADA Compliance Basics

Diagram of measurements for wheelchair accessiblity.

Doorways must be at least 32 inches wide, and most hallways and passages should be at least 36 inches wide. (Source: ADA.gov)

Wheelchairs need at least 60 inches of space to turn around completely, though a properly configured T-junction also allows room for turning. These dimensions are especially important in designing an accessible restroom. (Source: ADA.gov)

To be accessible to customers in wheelchairs, your condiment stations should be no more than 34 inches tall. If your self-service areas are higher than this, be sure to add an alternative self-service station that is 34 inches or lower. (Source: ADA.gov)

Adhering to the ADA is good for business. According to projections by the Administration on Aging, there will be more than 69 million Americans age 65 and older by 2030, making up approximately 20% of the total US population. Add this to the already 50 million Americans with disabilities, and you’re looking at a customer base that outnumbers any single cultural, racial, or ethnic group in the country. Visit the ADA website for additional guidance.

Because of their lower price point, coffee shops tend to see more cash payments than other food service businesses. This can make coffee shops a target for employee theft and robbery attempts. Owners should take these into consideration when creating their coffee shop floor plan to prevent security issues like blind spots and back entrances. These are opportunities for shop owners to place security cameras in areas that will help protect customers and staff.

Six piece Simplisafe security hardware with sensors and remote keypad

A business security package from SimpliSafe covers your main entrances and exits without requiring a separate phone line.
(Source: SimpliSafe)

A wireless security company like SimpliSafe has affordable options for small businesses, like the ability to format multiple PIN numbers to disarm alarms, so business owners know who is in the shop at all times. The system can send owners text messages when alarms have been set or disarmed. It also offers wireless security cameras with motion sensors and intruder alarms that can be placed near registers, safes, and back entrances to provide additional peace of mind.

Visit SimpliSafe

Best Practices for Planning Your Back of House

Unlike a restaurant floor plan, a coffee shop floor plan does not need to accommodate an entire commercial kitchen. But most coffee shops still need storage, refrigeration, and sanitation equipment outside the view of customers. These staff-only areas are frequently called the “back of house” (BOH) and may also include a small office space where you store personnel files and reserve cash.

Local building codes and health department regulations will have some influence over what type of equipment you use and where it can be placed. Hand-washing sinks and dishwashers require floor drains; refrigerators and ovens will need room for ventilation. Some buildings—particularly those in densely populated areas—may not support cooking equipment. It is a good idea to get the advice of a contractor familiar with installing restaurant equipment to let you know where you can place floor drains or ovens.

Your BOH coffee shop floor plan should consider:

Local health code standards: Local health codes will require the placement of sinks for hand-washing and dish-washing. You will also need enough refrigerators to keep perishable products like milk below 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Local building codes: You may need to consult with an architect or building contractor to ensure that water lines, electrical lines, and both ventilation and sanitation plans adhere to local building codes.
Storage needs: You may want space to store back stock, cleaning supplies, and employee belongings off the service floor.

Some things can’t be moved or are so expensive to move that it makes sense to leave them alone. When drawing your coffee shop layout, keep your eye out for where electrical lines and water lines have been run in the building. It is most cost-effective to plan your equipment placement where these lines are easily accessible. If you are looking at raw space, you will need to find a contractor to give you an estimate on running lines where you need them.

When planning your floor plan, think about how your team will dispose of garbage throughout the course of the day. A back door in a staff area that leads directly to your dumpsters is ideal, but if that is not possible and your staff will have to carry garbage out the main entrance, you’ll want to plan to have large trash receptacles throughout your shop to reduce trips.

You’ll also need to place handwashing sinks in key areas of your coffee shop. Most health departments require a handwashing sink in food preparation and dishwashing areas. You’ll also need to provide a staff restroom and—depending on your location—public restrooms for customers.

If your shop is in a shopping center or a building that provides public restrooms, you may be excused from providing restrooms for staff and customers. Check your local health codes to be sure.

Coffee shops tend to do more cash transactions than restaurants do, so you’ll need a cash safe and a secure place to keep reserve cash for making change. You’ll also need to secure personnel files and retain other sensitive information. Most coffee shop back offices are not large; typically, only room for a desk, some lockable filing cabinets, and a safe are all you need. But due to the sensitive nature of your office’s contents, it should have a door that locks.

Always lock the office door and any doors that exit to the outside before counting cash. It is always a best practice for cash-handling businesses to have at least two staff members on site when the shop opens and closes so no one is alone in a cash-filled office.

Adding Fixtures & Furnishings to Your Floor Plan

To complete your coffee shop floor plan with fixtures and furnishings, consider your target customer. A BRITA Professional study found that there are three main categories of coffee shop customers: shoppers, socializers, and take-a-breakers. These three types have different expectations of an ideal coffee shop experience, and their preferences will influence the type and placement of your coffee shop’s fixtures and furnishings.

The difference between fixtures and furnishings: Fixtures are built-ins that are used by your shop for service or merchandise display. Furnishings (or furniture) are items like tables, chairs, and sofas that are available for customer use.

Example: Your coffee shop has a claw-foot tub and fills it with bags of coffee beans for sale; that tub is a fixture. A claw-foot tub filled with pillows that customers use as a seating option is furniture.

Coffee Shop Customer Types

Explore the sections below to see how each customer type influences your shop’s fixtures and furnishings:

Coffee shop “shoppers” as customers who are in your shop for a one-time transaction. Shoppers are coffee patrons that are passing through and looking for a quiet, comfortable, one-time experience in your shop.

In a busy city, “shoppers” might be visiting tourists. In a suburban setting, shoppers could be travelers passing through town. In a mall setting, shoppers are people that are taking some downtime during a longer shopping excursion.

This chair by Norpel is comfortable and can withstand high-volume use. (Source: Norpel Furniture)

These Poly and Bark chairs are a classic coffee shop shape. (source: Poly & Bark)

Two three-tiered shelves hanging from a cofee shop wall

Vertical shelving is a great way to showcase retail merchandise without losing valuable floor space. (Source: shelfology)

To attract shoppers:

Fixtures should showcase your own retail offerings, from mugs and whole bean coffee to branded merchandise like hats, shirts, and aprons.
Furnishings should be comfortable and roomy, with space to place shopping bags and packages.

See our retail expert guides to merchandising and merchandising strategies for tips on driving sales from shopper customers.

Customers who meet friends, dates, or business prospects in a coffee shop are “socializers.” They tend to like secluded nooks in coffee shops and prize a welcoming ambiance. Socializers are great for business because they are the most likely to convert to regular customers—every coffee shop’s bread and butter.

Socializers may return for open mic nights or live music in your shop. They may also build relationships with your staff and add a sense of community to your business.

“Socializers” in coffee shops enjoy secluded seating nooks. Such nooks can double as stage areas for performances, so be sure they have electrical outlets. (Source: Pexels)

four-tiered, mobile birchwood shelving unit.

Mobile shelving units like this one can mark line-forming areas during busy times but are easily moved when you have events in your store. (source: sopPOPdisplays)

Coffee shops in any location will have some percentage of socializer customers. Small towns and tightly knit neighborhoods—both urban and suburban—will likely see a higher percentage of them, however.

Locations with a large number of social-style customers should have:

Fixtures that are flexible and have various uses for events like live music, book readings, coffee tastings, and brewing classes.
Furnishings that are sturdy and easily moved to accommodate groups of different sizes and various types of events.

Live performances sometimes require local permits or cabaret licenses. If live musicians perform covers of popular music, this may also be subject to a music licensing fee. Check your local zoning ordinances to be sure you are operating legally.

Take-a-breakers are folks who visit a coffee shop once a day or more. They tend to be individuals who work nearby and need a quick way to refuel during their day. Since they are usually coming from a work environment, they also tend to enjoy people-watching from a countertop or window seat.

Wooden counter with five barstools against a window.

Countertop seating along a window is a great way to appeal to single customers who are taking a work break. (Source: Litfad)

If you have a sidewalk permit, outdoor tables and chairs are popular with take-a-break customers. (Source: Webstaurantstore)

Wood and metal five-tier, mobile shelving unit.

Tall shelving like this Econoco unit can display retail merchandise while guiding how lines form in your shop. (Source: WebstaurantStore)

Coffee shops located near office towers will likely have a high percentage of take-a-breaker customers. These shops should have:

Fixtures that guide line formation, and clear signage for customers to navigate the menu and order queue.
Furnishings that appeal to solitary customers, like countertops and small-footprint sidewalk or patio seating.

Sidewalk and patio seating typically require permits. Check your local zoning codes before adding outdoor seating.

Take note of the dimensions of your preferred furnishings and fixtures and add them to your floor plan. Lay out your furnishings and fixtures before placing any orders; you want to ensure that your preferred items will fit in your space, leaving enough room for your staff and customers to easily move throughout your shop.

Tools for Drawing Your Coffee Shop Floor Plan

Once you have an idea for your coffee shop layout, you’ll want to see what the various options look like. Websites like RoomSketcher and SmartDraw allow coffee shop owners to draw different layouts on a virtual space for free. Both offer some preloaded examples of various businesses to jump-start your designs. RoomSketcher has the option of 2D or 3D layout views, which can be dynamic additions to your coffee shop business plan if you are opening a new shop.


Best for: 3D renderings of DIY floor plans, impactful	Best for: Technical drawings with multiple layers of electrical, plumbing, and HVAC schematics
Pricing: $0 per month; $38 to $99 per project for optional premium features	Pricing: $0 to $9.95 per month; corporate accounts available for $2,995 per year
Visit RoomSketcher	Visit SmartDraw

Bottom Line

Planning your coffee shop floor plan is a crucial step to opening a coffee shop. The best coffee shop floor plans are based on the shop’s location, size, and target customer. Most independent coffee shop owners plan the placement of fixtures, furnishings, and product displays alone or with the support of their suppliers. You will, however, need to consult a local building to ensure that water lines, electrical lines, and ventilation and sanitation plans adhere to building and health codes.