By 2026, the landscape of bars and cafés is changing because the ways in which people use these spaces have also evolved. Today, customers no longer value just the food and drink on offer or the location: they are looking for places that offer comfort, a sense of identity, well-being and an experience more in line with their lifestyle. Added to this is greater price sensitivity, new priorities relating to health and wellbeing, and increasingly diverse preferences depending on age, the time of day and the type of experience one expects to find.

In this context, bars and cafés are no longer seen merely as places to have a drink or a bite to eat, but are now also competing as experiential spaces. Consumers demand more carefully curated, versatile environments with a distinct personality; spaces where they feel like staying, socialising, working for a while or simply enjoying the atmosphere. That is why trends in these spaces in 2026 are no longer just about aesthetics, but about a new way of connecting with the customer through design.

What will you learn in this article?

• Why a bar’s décor influences the customer experience
• Trends in bar and café décor
• How to choose a bar’s décor style

Why a bar’s décor influences the customer experience

A bar’s décor directly influences how the space is perceived, how the customer behaves within it, and the memory they take away after their visit. Even before trying the menu or being served, the customer has already begun to form an opinion based on the atmosphere: the lighting, the materials, the layout, the furniture, or the overall feel of the venue. All of this shapes their experience from the very first moment.

Today, in a context where bars and cafés are also competing to create memorable experiences, interior design takes on a much more strategic role. It is no longer enough for a venue to be functional or aesthetically pleasing. It must also be consistent with its concept, connect with the type of customer it targets, and create an atmosphere where people want to spend time. A well-designed space can convey a sense of warmth, exclusivity, dynamism, calm or sophistication without needing to say a word.

That is why, when we talk about trends in bars, we are not just talking about following a current aesthetic. We are talking about designing spaces capable of meeting new consumer expectations, reinforcing the business’s identity and enhancing the experience of those who walk in, sit down and decide to stay.

 

Trends in bar and café design

Trends in bar and café design reflect a clear shift towards more carefully curated, versatile spaces with a more clearly defined identity. Interior design is becoming increasingly important as part of a business’s offering and is now seen not only as an aesthetic consideration, but also as a way to enhance the customer experience, strengthen brand positioning and adapt to new ways of using the space.

Sustainability and natural materials

Sustainability continues to establish itself as one of the main trends in bars and cafés, but with an increasingly practical and demanding approach. It is no longer enough for a space to merely ‘appear’ sustainable: durable materials, more responsible production processes and solutions that help extend the project’s lifespan are valued.

This is where the Ecocycle® process, a technology designed to reuse manufacturing waste by reintroducing it into the production process to create sheets with recycled content in Krion® LUX, fits particularly well. Thanks to this, we offer models with percentages of recycled material ranging from a small proportion of the product up to 40% in some series, depending on the collection.

In this vein, nature-inspired materials continue to play a leading role. Mineral finishes, textured surfaces, organic tones and designs that convey authenticity help to create warmer, more timeless environments. In the hospitality sector, moreover, this type of choice adds value because it combines aesthetic appeal with durability and ease of maintenance.

Organic shapes in furniture

Organic shapes continue to gain ground in the design of bars and cafés because they help create spaces that are visually more fluid, more welcoming and less rigid. Soft curves, enveloping volumes and pieces with less angular geometry provide a sense of naturalness that fits very well with the current quest for more human and friendly environments.

In this regard, a particularly interesting property of Krion® LUX is its ability to be thermoformed, allowing the material to be curved to achieve specific radii without altering its colour or properties, which opens up many possibilities for developing furniture or other elements with continuous lines and a more organic aesthetic.

This allows designers to move away from overly rigid compositions and create spaces with greater visual movement. Furthermore, curved forms do not merely provide a contemporary aesthetic: they also help to soften the perception of the surroundings, make movement through the space more pleasant and enhance a more immersive experience.

Ambient lighting and immersive atmospheres

Lighting has become a key element in the design of bars and cafés because it directly influences the way the space is experienced. It does not merely fulfil a technical function: it defines atmospheres, sets the pace and helps build a recognisable identity.

Warm, well-distributed and thoughtfully layered lighting can make the venue feel more intimate, more sophisticated or more welcoming. It also allows the atmosphere to be adapted to different times of day, something particularly relevant in spaces that are not used in the same way in the morning, at midday or in the late afternoon.

In this type of design, the backlighting of materials such as Krion® LUX takes centre stage as a means of highlighting specific elements and adding depth to the overall scheme. This allows for the enhancement of bars, counters or focal points, creating more immersive scenes and reinforcing the character of the space.

 

Project: Sutton Nightclub (Barcelona)

View on Porcelanosa Projects

Emotional design and spaces with personality

Emotional design is gaining importance because customers no longer remember just what they have consumed, but also how they felt in that place. In an industry where it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out based solely on what is on offer, the space itself becomes a key tool for creating connection, fostering a sense of belonging and leaving a lasting impression.

Therefore, designing from an emotional perspective involves going beyond decorative style. It means considering what the venue aims to convey and how to translate this through materials, lighting, layout, textures and the relationship between the various elements. A bar may seek to evoke a sense of refuge, relaxed sophistication, social energy or calm, and the interior design must be capable of building that perception in a coherent manner.

However, that personality is not expressed in the same way across all hospitality concepts. In spaces linked to signature cuisine, where the offering revolves around the product, technique and culinary narrative, there is a trend towards more understated, monochromatic and restrained interiors. In these cases, the design aims to complement the experience without stealing the limelight, creating a more serene and controlled atmosphere in which the customer’s attention is focused on the kitchen and everything happening around it.

In contrast, in many hospitality chains and concepts geared towards a dynamic, social or recognisable experience, the emotional design is usually built around more visible cues. Here, the spotlight falls on more vibrant colours, contrasts, elements with greater visual impact and a more expressive ambience, designed to reinforce the brand’s character and make the space easily identifiable. It is not simply a matter of decorating with greater intensity, but of creating an environment that triggers more immediate sensations and connects with a more agile, experiential or shareable form of consumption.

Here, the personality of the space is fundamental. The venues that work best are not usually the most over-the-top or those that follow every trend, but those that ensure every decision makes sense within a single narrative. When that happens, the bar or café ceases to feel like an interchangeable space and begins to project a more solid, recognisable and difficult-to-replicate identity.

Technology integrated into the customer experience

Technology is also part of the new trends in bars, but increasingly in a more discreet and useful way. The aim is not for it to be visible, but for it to help improve the comfort and functionality of the space without undermining its identity.

At this point, acoustic control is becoming increasingly important. In bars and cafés, noise greatly influences the experience: when there is too much reverberation, the space becomes less comfortable, it is difficult to hold a conversation and the sense of well-being diminishes. Therefore, incorporating materials that contribute to sound insulation can make a real difference to how the venue is perceived.

In spaces incorporating Krion® LUX, acoustic insulation can achieve an overall value of 33.5 dBA, a particularly attractive feature in projects seeking to improve environmental quality and make the experience more comfortable for the customer.

Mixing styles without overloading the space

The mixing of styles remains a feature of bar décor, but in 2026 the approach is much more measured. It is no longer simply a matter of adding visual references for the sake of it, but of combining materials, forms and aesthetic codes judiciously to create spaces with character, yet also with balance.

A bar can start from a contemporary base and incorporate artisanal touches, industrial details or Mediterranean inspiration, provided there is an underlying concept that gives coherence to the whole. When this mix is executed well, the result is richer, more personal and far more memorable.

In achieving this balance, materials play a particularly important role. Beyond their practical function, they help convey sensations, reinforce the venue’s style and define how the space is perceived. A surface with a mineral finish can lend an air of sobriety and calm; a warmer or more natural texture can bring the atmosphere closer and make it more welcoming. That is why choosing materials wisely allows different styles to be blended more naturally and a more solid identity to be built without the need for over-decoration.

More flexible layouts and areas with different patterns of use

Another trend gaining momentum in bars and cafés is the creation of more flexible layouts. This responds to an increasingly evident reality: a single venue can have very different uses throughout the day and needs to adapt to them without losing coherence.

A café might function in the morning as a quiet space for breakfast or a spot of work, and later transform into a more dynamic and social setting. A bar can combine areas for quick visits with others designed for a longer stay. That is why interior design tends to be organised into spaces with different patterns of use, where open areas, cosier corners and more natural flow coexist.

How to choose a bar’s decorative style

Choosing a bar’s decorative style is not about following a specific trend or replicating an aesthetic that works in other venues. The decision must be based on the business concept, the type of customer it targets and the experience it aims to offer. A bar designed for a quick, social visit does not require the same approach as a café where customers want to spend more time, work, chat or enjoy the atmosphere at a leisurely pace.

Therefore, before defining a style, it is worth asking yourself a few questions: what feeling do you want to convey, what kind of audience do you want to attract, how will the space be used throughout the day, and what role should the design play within the concept? From there, the aesthetic ceases to be a purely visual matter and becomes a tool to reinforce the venue’s identity.

Boho style

The sustainable boho style is particularly well-suited to bars and cafés that want to convey a relaxed, approachable image connected to nature. It typically relies on textured materials, earthy tones, greenery, natural fibres, soft shapes and a less rigid aesthetic, capable of creating a sense of well-being from the very first moment.

It is an interesting option for spaces where the experience aims to be unhurried and welcoming, such as speciality coffee shops, brunch bars or venues with a more lifestyle-oriented concept. When executed well, this style allows for the creation of spaces with plenty of personality without resorting to excessive decoration. The key lies in balancing warmth, naturalness and functionality so that the space feels authentic rather than overly staged.

Nordic style

The Nordic style remains a very valid choice for bars and cafés seeking to convey order, visual spaciousness and a sense of calm. It is characterised by a clean aesthetic, a palette of soft tones, the presence of light, honest materials and a composition where every element seems to have a clear purpose.

It works particularly well in small venues or spaces aiming to reinforce a contemporary, serene and bright image. Furthermore, it is a style that allows the materials and the product itself to take centre stage, which is particularly appealing in cafés where the aim is to create a refined experience without excessive artifice. To prevent the space from feeling too cold, it is advisable to introduce subtle contrasts through textures, warm lighting or details that foster a sense of warmth and intimacy.

Industrial style

The industrial style remains popular in bars with a more urban, social or informal identity. The combination of materials with character, more expressive finishes and elements that convey authenticity can work very well in spaces seeking to project a solid image with personality.

In this style, industrial elements are often combined with warmer or more natural touches, which helps to offset the visual harshness and create a more balanced atmosphere. It is a suitable choice for bars seeking a certain aesthetic intensity, but also a welcoming atmosphere that encourages guests to linger. The key is to update it and avoid overly repetitive formulas. When interpreted with more restraint and a better selection of materials, the result remains highly appealing.

Mediterranean style

The Mediterranean style suits bars and cafés in Spain particularly well because it connects with a way of understanding space based on light, naturalness and a more relaxed sophistication. It makes good use of soft tones, textured materials, gentle shapes and a sense of balance that is very pleasing to the customer.

 

It is an interesting option for venues looking to convey a sense of warmth without compromising on a polished, contemporary look. Furthermore, it offers great versatility, as it can be adapted to both more laid-back settings and concepts with a more social focus, whilst always maintaining a highly consistent and memorable aesthetic.

Ultimately, the key lies not in applying every trend at once, but in identifying which ones best suit the venue’s concept and the type of customer you wish to attract. And in this process, having the right materials and solutions can make all the difference when it comes to creating bars and cafés with a stronger identity, greater functionality and a greater ability to leave a lasting impression.