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Effective budgeting tips for a small cafe and kitchen fit out

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Starting your own small business is the dream of many Aussies and a boutique cafe is a great way to dip your toe in the water. If you are considering opening your own small bespoke cafe, one of your first steps is to organise the decor and furnishings, as well as a kitchen fit out. 

For people with a limited budget however, the thought of a cafe and kitchen fit out can seem a little daunting. However, there are lots of simple ways to create the ambiance you want in your cafe, without breaking the budget. Let’s take a look at some of the more affordable ways you can bring life back into a small cafe and reap the benefits for years to come!

  1. Bigger isn’t always better: You don’t need to lease a massive space with room for thirty customers to turn a cafe into a going concern. Some of the most profitable cafes are really small, in fact some are smaller than 10 metres square. It all comes down to design, layout and how you organise your kitchen fit out. 
  2. Limit seating to less than ten: One of the best ways to make a profit with a small cafe is to limit the seating to no more than ten customers. This means that you need less staff to serve customers, less furniture, floor space and less time spent cleaning at the end of the day. There’s nothing wrong focussing on a takeaway service with just a few seats for waiting customers or a few who want to sit and relax over brunch.
  3. Focus on vintage or industrial decor: These types of decor never go out of fashion, because there seems to be something warm and welcoming about them. They are also very easy and affordable to fit out, often taking advantage of the existing walls with just a lick of paint, and recycled metals and timber (as these materials are easy to repurpose). 
  4. Use recycled materials: Opting for second-hand furniture, old industrial lighting and recycled materials for the bench tops is a cost-cutting way to be trendy and save money on the front end fit out. Open metal shelving used in commercial kitchens is also a good way to utilise wall space, but still keep an open feel to the cafe. If you need a kitchen fit out as well, you can search for second hand commercial fridge/freezers, ovens, stoves, coffee machines and other appliances, all of which can save you a lot of money. 
  5. Do as little as possible: Instead of installing a dropped ceiling to hide all the pipes and wires, leave them exposed and go for an industrial look. Don’t spend money on fitting an expensive wood floor, instead polish the concrete and go for an organic, raw ambiance. Paint brick walls instead of adding drywall, and use as much of the existing structure or furnishings as you can, simply adding your own touch here and there.

Even with a limited budget, if you dream of owning your own small cafe, it can be achieved! Call the team at JEB Built on 0431 065 019 or shoot us an email for a free quote on your small cafe and kitchen fit out – we will have you up and running in no time at all!