Colorful Doughnut Shop

The bar counter of DOTS is definitely the place that will catch your eye as soon as you enter the store! It is not merely a counter for making beverages and checking out – it is more like a “super symbol” of the entire space, quietly condensing all the brand’s message, the allure of its products, and the interaction with customers here. Some people say that a good bar counter design must handle three things simultaneously: it should be memorable at a glance, easy to consume, and also allow for good-looking photos to be taken. DOTS has clearly achieved it and done it very delicately. Today, let’s take a close look at how many design tricks are hidden behind the counter of this doughnut shop.

The long, linear layout runs like a central axis through the front and back areas, quietly connecting the process of “making, display, checkout, and pickup.” The length is carefully considered, stretching from the colorful donut column on the left to the seating area on the right, both dividing the space and guiding traffic flow.

A combination of high and low countertops: The operating area is approximately 110 cm, allowing employees to operate without bending over and customers to easily pick up their orders. The menu board and equipment above are strategically placed, creating a visually seamless experience. The primary material is matte pink corrugated metal, revealing three-dimensional folds upon closer inspection, creating a textured feel that mitigates the industrial coolness and echoes the softness of the donuts. The low-saturation pink and black walls create a sweet-cool balance that appeals to young people.

The bright yellow display stand in the center is smooth and reflective, displaying freshly made donuts. The warm lighting creates a hunger pang… and the material cleans easily, making it ideal for frequent use.

Seating area

1. Chilling Area

The far left corner of the space, adjacent to the wall, features black metal high stools (slim frames, lightweight, and comfortable), with ample legroom, perfect for quick meals. The tables are narrow, black tables (lengths that fit the wall, saving space). This unused corner space is used to create an “efficient consumption zone.” Hidden wall light strips provide indirect lighting, illuminating the tabletop while avoiding direct glare, ensuring a comfortable “quick eat” experience.

2. Cozy Corner

A curved white partition (curved and matte finish), resembling the arc of a donut, encloses a semi-private space. A small black round table (approximately 60cm in diameter, suitable for small gatherings of 2-3 people) is featured. Black matte chairs (simple backrests and a soft feel) are paired with a light wood bench (recessed into the wall, embellished with colorful circular decorations, resembling a donut shape, reinforcing the theme). A black pendant lamp (globby lampshade, focusing on the tabletop, creating a sense of exclusivity) is also featured. Curved partitions soften the boundaries of the space, while warm-lit pendant lights and light-wood benches convey a warm atmosphere. A donut-shaped wall painting (close-up shot) further stimulates appetite, making this a popular check-in spot for couples and close friends.

3. Sip & Type Lounge

A pink curved mesh partition (metal, hollowed-out, pink finish) divides the space while maintaining a sense of openness, avoiding a sense of enclosure or oppression. A black round center table (approximately 80cm in diameter, suitable for 3-4 people, perfect for both work and small gatherings) is also featured. Black chairs with light-wood legs create a sense of depth and warmth, while a hanging pendant lamp (gradient in gray, beige, and pink, with a spherical lampshade) provides soft, even light across the desk surface, satisfying the dual needs of “working on the computer and chatting while looking at each other.” The curved shape of the mesh partition echoes the brand logo, and the pendant lamp’s color aligns with the main color scheme of the space, imbuing the “work” scene with brand symbols and enhancing customer memory.

4. Coffee Bar Sitting

Just to the right of the ordering area, just one step away from the operation area, this area features high black metal stools (with a simple frame that echoes the chilling area) and a long countertop. This allows customers to temporarily sit while waiting for their order, while also enhancing the customer experience by allowing them to observe the doughnut-making process up close. Ample legroom beneath the countertop avoids feeling cramped, making the wait a part of the interaction.

Order Counter

Pink corrugated board: The three-dimensional texture adds a tactile dimension and visually vibrant effect.
Black metal mesh basket: The curved opening allows for easy access to small desserts or accessories (such as custom cups and stickers), combining display and practicality. A yellow circular display stand (at eye level) displays fresh donuts in a three-dimensional format, creating a visual focal point and directly stimulating the appetite.

Background wall: Pink checkered tiles (matte finish, easy to clean), paired with a silver coffee machine and grinder, create a professional contrast of “sweet (desserts) + savory (coffee)” and suggest a diversified consumption experience.

Menu board: Black background with white/yellow text. The circular price mark (0.00€ in the example) is clear and eye-catching. Product categories (such as DOTS SUGAR, COMBO, etc.) guide choices and enhance consumer decision-making efficiency.

Colorful Donut Column

This cylindrical structure, with its densely packed “colorful donut models” (gradient pink, yellow, and orange), resembles a giant dessert sculpture. It draws attention from afar, becoming a popular street sign. It transforms the product’s form into a spatial symbol, reinforcing the “DOTS = donut” brand identity. It also connects the ordering and seating areas, naturally dividing functional areas and streamlining circulation.

Storage and Wall Cabinets

DOTS’s storage design consistently adheres to the principle of “concealment + thematic”—achieving functional needs without disrupting the aesthetics of the space. The light wood bench in the Cozy Corner features built-in storage (a flip-top design) for spare cutlery and brochures, maintaining a clean appearance. The cabinet beneath the pink corrugated board countertop conceals equipment wiring and raw material storage, with the corrugated texture on the exterior adding detail to reduce clutter. A black pedestal cabinet with pink decorative banding next to the cylindrical display column is used to store cleaning tools and supplies, complementing the overall design and avoiding any sense of intrusion.

The background wall cabinet in the ordering area features white cups neatly arranged on a pink tiled wall (creating a sense of rhythm), making them convenient for employees and serving as decorative elements, reinforcing the aesthetic of order.

The wall art features close-ups of donuts with black frames and brand slogans (e.g., “SMILE IT’S DOTS TIME”). The content focuses on the product and brand philosophy, blending seamlessly with the black wall, creating a “talking piece” that subtly conveys the brand’s attitude.

Pink Curved Grid Partition

Metal frame with pink paint, the grid is precisely dimensioned (ensuring both transparency and visual depth). The curved design evokes the roundness of a donut. It softly demarcates the space, adding a sense of rhythm and creating a photo-taking backdrop. (The trendy pink and grid design aligns with social media, encouraging customers to share and expanding the brand’s reach.)

Curved White Partition

The extended curved surface, resembling the arc of a donut, reinforces the brand identity. The matte white material creates a “soft and hard contrast” with the black wall, softening the boundaries of the space. The play of light and shadow on the partition surface (the curved surface casts shadows under the light) adds a sense of dynamics, adding depth to the “corners” and avoiding monotony.

Wall Decorative Strips

Extending from the colorful donut column to the wall, circular donut patterns are arranged in stripes (gradient pink, yellow, and brown), resembling the “color flow” of a dessert, strengthening the spatial theme and transforming the “donut” from a product into a part of the space.