Spend five minutes in most places and you'll realise space planning is an afterthought at best. At worst, it feels like trying to navigate IKEA blindfolded (without meatballs as consolation). Because good design isn't about putting plants on shelves—it’s about subtly but ruthlessly herding your customers exactly where you want them.

Pretty but Pointless

Yes, that curved sofa might look great on your feed. But if your customers have to fight past awkward furniture and through a queue shaped like a pretzel? You’re sacrificing sales for the possibility of selfies. Aesthetics need to be balanced with intent. Or your beautifully curated chaos will do nothing but guide customers back out the door—and onto somewhere that feels less like hard work.

Zoning Like a Pro

Designing spaces for business isn’t like designing a room in a home. It's more like designing a stage—one where your customers' journey plays out. And for each scene in that play, you need a defined set that supports it:

• Attention Zone: The first glance decides if they step inside or keep walking. Make it count. (No, a sign saying "Welcome" in cursive doesn’t count.)

• Linger Zone: This is the “accidental second coffee” zone. Somewhere that slows people down—soft lighting, layered seating, low-level ambience. Not so cosy they move in, just enough to lose track of time (and spending restraint).

• Convert Zone: The clincher. Everything here should lower friction and steer intent—clear sightlines to the counter, lighting that directs focus, visuals that prompt decisions and eliminate hesitation. Reducing mental load in this area means people will take the next step confidently and seamlessly i.e. not stopping for thought, just reaching for their card.

  
  

Frictions That Cost You Sales

Yep. Small annoyances are deadly:

• Undefined queueing zones create awkward milling around.

• Poor visibility means customers never see the stuff they didn't know they needed.

• Clashing layouts lead to awkward shuffles and murmured apologies.

It's about choreographing movement. Make it smooth, make it simple, make it subconscious.

Takeaway: Layout is Language

Design isn't just aesthetics (and again—louder for the people at the back). It’s communication and influence. You’re both telling and guiding people to come in, stay a while, and buy more than they intended.

It's subtle. Intentional. Profitable.

And doesn't happen by accident.