INTERIOR DESIGN MAI COFFEE SHOP

The interior design of Mai Coffee aims to create a café space that feels rustic, welcoming, and emotionally engaging. Located near a quiet residential area, the client envisioned a coffee shop that reflects a sense of closeness to nature while still maintaining a refined and visually appealing atmosphere. As a small-scale café specializing in handcrafted coffee (handbrew), the design needed to balance aesthetics, brand identity, and a personalized experience for each customer.

Project name

Mai Coffee Shop

Scale

300m2

Service

F&B

Location

Ho Chi Minh

PROBLEMS WHEN designing store Mai House

With a spacious site in Ho Chi Minh City, the client envisioned a space defined by a minimalist and refined aesthetic, creating a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere that encourages long-term connection with customers. CO-IDB was selected to deliver both phases of the project — concept design and interior construction — ensuring consistency from the initial design vision to the final built space.

Design proposals for each category

The entire space is softened through a neutral color palette (white – beige – light brown), combined with natural materials such as raw wood, terracotta brick, and rattan. The open layout maximizes natural light while incorporating greenery as visual resting points throughout the space.

Interior Design

1. Bar & Counter

The bar is located at the back of the café along the depth of the space, designed with an open layout so guests can easily observe the hand-brew coffee process. The counter features red-brown brick and natural wood, creating a handcrafted and welcoming feel. Hanging shelves behind the bar serve both display and storage purposes for coffee beans, equipment, and tools, balancing practicality with aesthetics.

2. Seating Area

The seating area follows a flexible layout: single wooden chairs without armrests, small round tables for 1–2 guests, and long bench seating along the wall. Furniture retains the natural wood grain with simple forms and comfortable height, creating a friendly and easy-to-move environment. Generous spacing between tables avoids a crowded feeling.

3. Display & Brand Identity Area

Near the entrance, a raw feature wall finished with laterite stone or exposed brick showcases a subtle metal logo—minimal yet distinctive. Packaged coffee products, brewing tools, and postcards are neatly displayed on long wooden shelves along the wall. The design remains simple but effectively expresses the “less is more” philosophy.

4. Materials & Lighting

The project uses natural and eco-friendly materials such as rubber wood, terracotta brick, and handcrafted rattan. The lighting system includes rattan pendant lights and warm wall-wash lighting, creating a soft and relaxing atmosphere. Every detail is carefully selected to highlight the raw, natural character—free from unnecessary decoration.

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- Interior Design Services
- Interior Fit-out & Construction Services

Interior Construction

During construction, CO-IDB prioritizes solutions that are easy to maintain and operate over the long term, from concealed ceiling electrical systems and moisture-resistant materials to flexible modular furniture.