Starbucks Unveils New Mugs and Seating for Cozier Cafés

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Starbucks is revamping its in-store mugs and café seating as part of a broader effort to make its cafés feel more welcoming and encourage customers to linger. The new porcelain mugs with a wider mouth and updated handle design are inspired by Italian cafés and meant to enhance the sensory experience of enjoying a drink. Starbucks is also replacing its current chairs with green performance velvet seats with walnut legs, featuring more generous proportions for a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

Why it matters

These changes reflect Starbucks' shift towards prioritizing a more personal coffeehouse experience, moving away from the quick grab-and-go model. By investing in design elements that create a warmer ambiance, the company hopes to entice customers to spend more time in its cafés, reinforcing the 'ritual of lingering over your favorite drink' that is central to the brand's identity.

The details

The new mugs will replace Starbucks' current rounded, solid-white ceramic style with green-and-white straight-flare porcelain mugs. The porcelain body features a wider mouth meant to 'enhance foam and aroma,' while the updated handle is designed for a more comfortable grip. The new chairs also aim to make the cafés feel more inviting, with their generous proportions including wider, more open arms.

• The new mugs are already being used in select Starbucks locations in Los Angeles and New York.
• The mugs are expected to roll out across most of North America in the second half of 2026, with a global launch in early 2027.
• The new chairs are expected to roll out at select locations by the end of 2026.

What’s next

Starbucks plans to continue rolling out the new mugs and chairs to its cafés worldwide over the next year.