Don Clarke ran a shop fitting and design company before he set up his own coffee shops. He has the following words of wisdom on the importance of interior design.

1. Good design is a major marketing tool. The way your shop looks will determine how many people are tempted to cross your threshold. People will make an instant decision as to whether to enter a coffee shop based on the effects of the shop's lighting, colour scheme, furniture and atmosphere. Good interior design will persuade passers by to enter your shop.

2. Interior design will also give a prospective customer an idea of the cost involved in frequenting it - if you visit a 5 star hotel you know that you will be paying a large sum to stay there. Similarly, a customer will enter a well designed coffee shop prepared to pay a little extra for a coffee for the pleasure of being in a comfortable, pleasant environment.

3. Use an interior designer with a background in catering establishments. They will know how to design your shop to achieve the optimum amount of "selling" space.

4. Shopfitting companies will have in-house designers - this may be cheaper than hiring an independent interior designer.

The advent of the 21st century has introduced to us the many possibilities of designing a home with just about any regional influence there is. One of the more popular themes is Oriental interior design because of its relevance to culture and tradition.

The use of Oriental interior design enables the homeowner to experience the mysticism of the Orient without even having to leave his abode. Keeping a few basic principles in mind, you'll find that it's relatively easy to reproduce Oriental interior design.

What Are The Two Essential Aims of Oriental Interior Design?

Individuals who choose to try Oriental interior design wish to either impart a sense of affluence and royalty or they wish to strengthen the family ties that Oriental culture is known for.