Stumbling to the kitchen, bleary-eyed and barely conscious, stirring instant coffee into a glass of hot water is hardly the glamorous start to the day we deserve. Instead, imagine your own home coffee bar — a personal mecca for caffeine, where every morning becomes a ritual of hissing steam and latte art.
Sure, trends like CafeCore have given this idea a boost, but the allure of a home coffee station is timeless. I’ve been craving a dedicated coffee bar since I could spell “Yirgacheffe.” Over the years (I’m a slow decorator) and through lots of trial and error, I finally have a home coffee bar set up I love.
In the process, I’ve learned a thing or two about at-home cafés. So, grab your favorite mug and dive into the aromatic world of coffee bar ideas that’ll transform your home into the trendiest spot in town.
Location, Location, Location
Like your favorite café in town, the foundation of an authentic home coffee bar lies in its location. Take a hard look at your kitchen and dining area and identify spots where you and others in your household love to congregate. Is it at the kitchen island or next to the reading nook?
It doesn’t need to be a large space. A sturdy shelving unit can work as a cozy coffee bar.
Even then, don’t limit yourself to conventional spaces like the kitchen or dining area. Consider repurposing a corner of your home office (where coffee is likely most helpful), transforming an unused nook in your living area, or even dedicating a small room to your coffee passion. The key is finding a spot that balances convenience with the potential to create an inviting atmosphere.
But First, Coffee
The coffee machine is the heart of the home coffee bar. Set up a dedicated coffee station complete with a quality coffee maker, grinder, and your favorite coffee beans. If you like syrups and alternative milk options in your coffee, add them.
Fortunately, you can choose your type of coffee maker based on your budget and preferences. A pour-over setup can be both affordable and good-looking on your counter.
If you prefer a richer, espresso-like coffee without breaking the bank, a stovetop espresso maker, such as the classic Bialetti Moka Pot, is a fantastic choice.
For a full-bodied brew, a French press is another cost-effective option. These are affordable, easy to use, and bring out the rich flavors of the coffee beans.
Capsule coffee machines like Keurig and Nespresso offer a fantastic solution for those who prefer simplicity and convenience. They utilize single-serve pods pre-filled with ground coffee, eliminating the need for measuring and grinding beans. Simply pop a pod in, select your brew size, and enjoy a fresh cup in seconds. Furthermore, their compact size makes them ideal for space-saving coffee bar setups.
If you’re willing to invest more, an espresso machine can bring the traditional café experience to your home. While this option is on the higher end of the budget spectrum, it delivers professional-quality espresso, making it a worthwhile investment for true coffee aficionados.
If lattes and cappuccinos are your go-to drinks, consider adding milk frothers or steam wands. A precise scale and temperature-controlled kettle can take your pour-over game to the next level.
All these can add up to a tidy sum, so I recommend going slow in your investments. My coffee adventure started with a trusty Bialetti Moka Pot and a cheap IKEA French press — hardly the stuff of barista dreams, but they got the job done for a start. Upgrade your coffee machine as your coffee palate and brewing skills develop.
Coffee Bar Ideas Come To Life
Now that you have an idea of the location and your brewing setup, it’s time to move on to furniture pieces and furnishings to build the home café of your dreams. Let’s break it down into the key elements that will transform your space into a coffee station.
Countertop
First, you’ll need a surface that can handle the action, such as a sturdy countertop or butcher block that can withstand spills, heat, and the occasional enthusiastic tamping. This could be situated at one end of your kitchen island or in an available counter space. A kitchen cart or a vintage cabinet can also be good options for a coffee bar.
Coffee bars don’t have to be standalone displays. Tucking one away within a kitchen cabinet is a great space-saving solution for many households. This keeps all your coffee essentials neatly out of sight, maintaining an organized, clutter-free aesthetic. However, if you choose this route, ensure the designated shelf is water-resistant and potentially reinforced to handle the weight of an espresso machine and its accessories.
Open Shelving
Open shelves are the magic ingredient for an authentic coffee bar vibe. This is where your style and personality can shine through. Choose open shelving styles that match your vision. Sleek glass and gold hanging shelves create a glamorous old-world coffee house motif, while warm wooden floating shelves lean towards a rustic ambiance. Overall, bold, colorful options create an eclectic café atmosphere.
Spend some time researching coffee bar ideas on Pinterest. Browse curated collections and let them inspire your own unique design.
Display your coffee mugs, jars of beans, syrups, and small appliances such as coffee grinders and kettles on the shelves, keeping mindful of the shelving’s weight limit. To maximize the visual appeal, consider arranging items by color or type and mixing in some decorative pieces like small plants, coffee recipe books, or art for added visual interest.
Storage
Now, for the rest of the not-so-pretty items, you’ll want them properly stored in a coffee cabinet. Cabinets with drawers can neatly store items like coffee pods and filters. A pull-out shelf for your grinder means it’s always at the ready but never in the way. A dedicated drawer for your coffee scale and thermometer keeps your countertops clear. A slim pull-out kitchen cabinet, usually for spices and sauces, can be repurposed to store syrups and flavored oils if you don’t want them on display.
Comfortable Seating
Incorporate quality seating options like cushioned chairs or a small loveseat so you can comfortably enjoy your coffee. Adding a small side table can also be a practical and stylish touch. If you have a coffee island, invest in quality bar stools with backrests for hours of coffee and conversation.
Coffee Bar Styling
A coffee bar in your home should cater to your tastes, and we’re not just talking about the brew. It should be a stylish focal point, an inviting, cozy corner where you can savor a smooth cup of Long Black. These coffee bar decor ideas will help you bring personality and appeal to your space.
1. Café Chalkboard
Thanks to Pinterest and the CaféCore craze, chalkboard menus are once again on trend. There’s something inherently charming about the handwritten aesthetic, a touch of whimsy that softens the edges of our tech-heavy world.
Hang a small chalkboard and jot down the coffee menu or inspiring quotes to pep up your day. To bring this decorating element up to date, try a uniquely shaped board or paint a large section or an entire wall with chalkboard paint for maximum impact. Mix up your chalk colors, play with typography, or add small illustrations. This can turn your coffee nook into a dynamic, engaging space that evolves with your creativity and mood.
2. Task and Ambient Lighting
Position pendant or task lights strategically over your coffee-making zone, ensuring every step of your coffee preparation is properly illuminated.
Alternatively, you want to create an intimate and relaxing atmosphere for the areas where you sit and enjoy your cup of joe. Ditch the harsh overhead lights. Instead, opt for warm-toned lighting with a color temperature of around 2700K to mimic the warm glow of candlelight, creating a comfortable mood.
String fairy lights around shelves and cabinets or drape them across the ceiling for a whimsical and romantic touch. Install dimmer switches on your lighting circuits for ultimate control over the mood. This allows you to adjust the brightness based on the time of day or desired atmosphere.
3. Greenery
Plants are a fantastic way to transform your home coffee station into a tranquil escape. Assess the lighting conditions of your space and select plants that thrive in your environment.
If your space has bright, indirect light, Snake plants (Sansevieria), ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), and Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are excellent choices. Their vibrant foliage adds a pop of color and requires minimal fuss.
Choose pots that complement your coffee bar’s style. Ceramic or terracotta pots offer a classic look, while sleek metal or brightly colored planters add an eclectic touch. Ensure your pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
If space is an issue, try hanging your plants from the ceiling or placing them on your wall shelves. Trailing plants like Pothos look stunning, cascading from shelves.
A popular way to add a touch of life to your coffee bar is with a living wall. This can be easily achieved using fabric pocket planters hung directly on the wall. Simply fill the pockets with small potted plants and cascading vines, watering them as needed.
4. Music
To capture the café atmosphere, add music to your coffee nook. A small Bluetooth speaker can be a great addition, allowing you to play your favorite coffee shop playlists. If vinyl is your passion, add a turntable to your space and spin your soulful melodies as you sip your brew.
Putting It All Together
Now that you’re armed with coffee bar ideas, it’s time to translate them into reality. It’s easy to get lost in ideas, so sketch out your layout, starting with the largest item, perhaps a cabinet or kitchen counter. Then, build upon it layer by layer, incorporating organizers and shelves.
Finally, add decorative pieces to the mix. Adjust as needed and use software like SketchUp to help you visualize and finalize your coffee bar design.
As you design, visit your favorite stores or browse online for potential pieces that match your chosen style and budget. These visits may also spark new ideas as you see what’s available in the market.
With a plan in place, the fun begins — consolidate your ideas, shop your list, engage an installer, or go the DIY route, and get ready to brew barista-worthy coffee in the comfort of your own home.
This article originally appeared on Hello Sensible.
Author: Jules Yap
Jules Yap is the founder of IKEA Hackers, a site dedicated to capturing amazing IKEA hacks worldwide. She is a self-taught DIYer who believes that anyone can add their personal style to mass-market furniture. Jules has two exhibits in the permanent collection of the M+ Museum in Hong Kong and has been featured on The New York Times, Slate, 99% podcast, and New Straits Times.