Starbucks' New Design Revamp: Inclusive Cafes for a Broader Customer Base

Starbucks is revamping its US cafes with inclusive designs to win back customers. The company plans to update 1,000 stores by 2026, prioritizing cozier interiors and accessibility improvements over new builds. Updates include softer lighting, movable tables, additional seating, rugs, and the return of outlets. The goal is to create warmer, more inclusive spaces and restore its reputation as a "third place."

Starbucks is embarking on a significant renovation project aimed at reviving its U.S. business by creating more inviting and inclusive café spaces. The company plans to update 1,000 stores by the end of 2026, prioritizing cozier interiors and accessibility improvements over new builds. Each renovation, costing approximately $150,000 per store, will keep the cafes open during the work [1].

The renovations are part of Starbucks' broader effort to restore its reputation as a "third place" — a communal spot between home and work. In recent years, the company had lost this reputation due to decisions like removing seats and cutting electrical outlets to discourage lingering [1]. Under CEO Brian Niccol, who took the helm earlier this year, Starbucks is reversing these choices. The goal is to create warmer, more inclusive spaces that attract a broader customer base and reignite the sense of community that once defined the brand [1].

The new designs vary by location but share common goals: creating cozier interiors with softer lighting for customers with light sensitivity, movable tables accessible to wheelchair users, additional seating, rugs to dampen noise, and the return of electrical outlets to support students and remote workers. Leather seating, live plants, and decorative elements reflecting local communities are also part of the refreshed aesthetic [1].

The first phase of the renovations has begun in New York and Southern California, with more locations to follow nationwide. Starbucks expects the renovations to cost around $150 million by the end of 2026 [1]. The company is also incorporating these new design priorities into new construction, with cafes prioritizing the lobby and seating options. However, the chain is still looking to decrease footprints, resulting in smaller spaces with a warmer atmosphere. The first such new build is expected to open next year [2].

The renovations are part of a broader strategy to restore Starbucks' coffeehouse identity. Early remodels have shown positive results, with consumers staying longer, visiting more often, and sharing positive feedback [2]. The aesthetic goal of the redesign is to make the cafes feel like "a living room outside your home," according to the company [2].

By reshaping its stores into more comfortable gathering spaces, Starbucks hopes to not only attract a broader customer base but also reignite the sense of community that once defined its brand. The company is investing heavily in this effort, with a significant portion of its resources dedicated to making its cafes more inviting and accessible [1].

References:
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/05/starbucks-cafe-renovations-accessible.html
[2] https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/starbucks-cafe-redesign-2026-seating-colors-atmosphere/759376/