Design trends come and go, and church design is no different. But some trends remain strong for years and years. Two of the most consistent and impactful design features we still see in nearly every church building project are cafés and playlands. These aren’t simply aesthetic add-ons; they are intentional spaces that foster connection, create welcoming environments, and serve as vital tools for outreach. Whether part of a “third place” philosophy or simply a practical addition, these design elements remain at the heart of many thriving churches today.

Why Cafés Matter in Church Design

These days, as it’s been for decades, it’s almost expected that a church building will include a café. Whether it’s a full-service coffee bar or a simple walk-up self-serve counter, cafés have become a central gathering point. Much like the church building foyer, the café is a relational hub: a place where members and visitors can slow down, share conversations, and build connections. Even for churches that aren’t intentionally adopting a third-place philosophy (the idea of the church being a “third place” outside of home and work), cafés still play a crucial role.

The Challenges of Full-Service Cafés

While cafés are highly effective in connecting people, not every type of café is equally practical. Full-service coffee shops, ones like nationwide coffee chains serving a full menu of beverages, are less common in church buildings. These can be challenging to sustain because they require trained staff, significant oversight, and consistent traffic to cover costs.

Many churches discover that it can be difficult to break even with a full-service café. For this reason, in the church designs that we’ve been doing lately, more churches are choosing smaller-scale walk-up counters or self-serve stations.

Playlands: A Timeless Church Design Feature

Alongside cafés, indoor playlands also remain an enduring church design trend. Originally becoming popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, playlands continue to draw families and serve as a valuable outreach tool today.

These spaces come in many forms:

  • Large, fixed equipment like climbing tubes and slides that appeal to older kids.
  • Soft play areas designed for toddlers to safely explore.
  • Accessible play zones built with inclusivity in mind, accommodating children with special needs.
  • Open play areas that allow for free movement, flexible use, and intergenerational connection.

Playlands create opportunities for connection not only for children but also for parents, grandparents, and caregivers who bring them. They help transform a church building into a place where families want to spend time outside of Sunday mornings.

At The McKnight Group, we’ve seen firsthand how design features like cafés and playlands transform a church building into a vibrant community hub. Whether you’re thinking of remodeling or planning a new facility, it’s worth considering how either or both might enhance your vision for ministry.

Learn More with Our i3 Webinars

Want to know more about church design trends and the church building process? We invite you to sign up for our frequent i3 webinars. These free sessions are designed to inspire, inform, and instruct church leaders as you consider a church building project. Visit our website registration page today.