Cafés
Communal Table Storage Design for Cafés
Plan storage around frequency of use and the route between use and return. Measure the actual items, including handles and cases.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Sort items into daily, occasional and surplus stock, then measure each group's largest pieces.
- Place daily items at the point of use and reserve a separate area for overflow or refills.
- Choose shelf spans, pull-outs and closures only after checking how items are loaded and removed.
Worked example
Board games, chargers, and serving pieces all occupy the coffee table before guests arrive.
Give games a closed cabinet near the lounge and serving pieces a separate dining-side cupboard. Check each item’s retrieval and return path while the room is arranged for visitors.
How to test it
Put the largest item into a mock-up and remove it with the adjacent doors or work surfaces in use.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Place the table in a central but nonblocking position with smaller tables available nearby.
- Detail
- Provide accessible power at table ends and a hard-wearing top with rounded corners.
- Trade-off
- A large shared table is efficient but less comfortable for private conversation.
- Try solo, pair, and group seating
- Check that power cords do not cross walking paths
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