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Why Designers Love the Caf\u00e9 Core Design Trend nicolamargaret – Getty Images<\/p>\n
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Cozy is in when it comes to design. We’ve seen it with the grandmacore trend<\/a>, the warm minimalism trend<\/a>, and now, with the caf\u00e9 core design trend that’s about to be all over your social media feeds.<\/p>\n As the name suggests, the caf\u00e9 core trend is all about creating a space in your home that’s reminiscent of a cozy caf\u00e9. Think of your favorite local coffee shop, or look to TV shows like Friends<\/a> or Gilmore Girls<\/a>. After all, who wouldn’t want to cozy up with a cup of coffee at Central Perk or Luke’s Diner?<\/p>\n Bringing elements of caf\u00e9 culture into your space is easier than you might think. Small details like bistro curtains<\/a> and nostalgic decor<\/a> can make your space feel warm and inviting.<\/p>\n \u201cCaf\u00e9 core borrows decor details from hospitality settings to evoke the sense of conviviality felt while dining out,\u201d says interior designer and content creator Anne Sage<\/a>. \u201cThere’s been so much in the news lately about how we’re losing our third spaces\u2014those out-of-the-house places where we gather, socialize and cultivate a sense of belonging\u2014and caf\u00e9 core reflects our desire for those positive feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n Aside from creating a gathering hub for loved ones, the caf\u00e9 core trend also taps into the more personal push to slow down. Rachel Robinson, architect and founding partner of Dunham Robinson<\/a>, summarizes the aesthetic like this: \u201cYou know that perfectly designed caf\u00e9 that makes you want to spend a quiet moment in contemplation or linger longer with a book? That\u2019s the \u2018caf\u00e9 core\u2019 trend,\u201d she says. If you\u2019re looking to make a corner of your home just as comfortable, here\u2019s how three interior designers would embrace the caf\u00e9 core trend.<\/p>\n Photo: Judith Marilyn; Design: Oho Interiors<\/p>\n What is the caf\u00e9 core trend?<\/p>\n When you think about your favorite corner cafe, a few essentials likely come to mind: soft seating, a cozy color palette and perhaps a handful of curated necessities like mugs from a local ceramicist or art from a nearby studio. The caf\u00e9 core trend brings these details into your dining area, so you can sip your order more comfortably\u2014like, say, in your pajamas.<\/p>\n \u201cI honestly think this trend has been around for a while and we’re just giving it a new name,\u201d says Sage. \u201cThe caf\u00e9 core trend is a cozy breakfast nook, or a dedicated coffee station, which are things that have been around for ages and they always bring joy. This current trend is a play on the contentment of being out in socially-driven spaces, and should serve as a reminder to be social. Invite friends over for a cup of coffee!\u201d<\/p>\n Photo and Design: Anne Sage<\/p>\n And just as there are countless ways to run a corner cafe, Robinson says this trend is equally open to interpretation. \u201cThe caf\u00e9 look is perennial and enduring because it\u2019s all about sitting for a quiet moment by yourself, spending time with someone you love, or simply stopping to actually enjoy a cup of tea or coffee,\u201d she says. \u201cYou can capture the caf\u00e9 feeling without having a dedicated, full room in which to implement it. Sometimes a corner by a window with one chair and a small bistro-size table can be just as impactful.\u201d<\/p>\n How to try the caf\u00e9 core trendBring in a round table.<\/p>\n Soften the hard edges of a corner, and make it easier to fit more people or activities, by adding a round table\u2014preferably wood or marble. \u201cRound is so much more welcoming, and more commonly seen in a cafe setting,\u201d Sage says. \u201cIt’s especially great if you have a small space, since a little bistro table tucked into a corner feels so romantic.\u201d<\/p>\n Install banquette seating.<\/p>\n While a bistro chair or two is on trend, installing banquette seating on the opposing side of these seats will take the look to the next level. \u201cWe’ve all experienced that epic night out, gathered into a corner banquette with friends,\u201d interior designer Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors<\/a> says of cafes that stay open late. \u201cWhen you think about how to add the coziness of a cafe into your own space, the way to make the most impact is by creating a sweet nook to tuck a table.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: Michael Dunham; Design: Dunham Robinson<\/p>\n Hang cafe curtains.<\/p>\n As a sweet finishing touch, Robinson recommends adding namesake window treatments<\/a> to give the space a relaxed feel. \u201cPartial-height cafe curtains would be on theme, rather than full-height drapes or blinds,\u201d she says. \u201cConsider pinch-pleats for a more tailored look, or a rod-pocket for a more casual feeling, and always scale down the size of the hardware for that soft, ethereal cafe look.\u201d<\/p>\n Create a coffee station.<\/p>\n![\"kitchen\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/da2c777ed0c1ce5b14bba774ef7dab79.jpeg\"\/)
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