15 Creative Coffee Bar Ideas That Will Perk Up Your Kitchen
Imagine a cafe where your name is never butchered and pajamas are welcome (even encouraged). The aroma of beans is guaranteed to brighten your morning, your favorite mug is always available, and you have free rein over each pour and drizzle. Yep, the home sweet home coffee ritual is where it’s at.
Not surprisingly, the stay-at-home movement of 2020 consequently transformed how people interact with coffee on a daily basis. Coffee culture has spiraled beyond viral Starbucks drinks and crammed cafes — #coffeetok is an infinite collection of barista wisdom and coffee bar decor inspiration, and influencer morning routines are likely to feature sparkling Brevilles and the ASMR-filled precision of an iced oat milk latte’s life cycle. While coffee shops are nowhere near going out of style, the appeal of enjoying a fairly fancy, budget- and eco-friendly cup of coffee in one’s humble abode is stronger than ever. Here are a few coffee bar ideas and tips to bring your Pinterest board dreams to life.
Coffee Bar Ideas to Try in Your Home
The home coffee bar is a highly coveted feature — it’s convenient and it’s extremely satisfying to look at if you’re a coffee (or tea!) lover. If you’re looking to create a designated coffee bar in your home, there are two main approaches when it comes to presentation: conceal or spotlight.
Coffee Bar Ideas for Small Spaces
If cluttered countertops and visible cords give you a physical reaction, we see you and we hear you. The good news is that a minimalistic kitchen can still have a fully stocked coffee bar, right down to the classic Torani syrup variety pack. In most cases, utilizing vertical pantry space is the best way to achieve a sleek, space-saving aesthetic. Consider features that streamline levels and movement, like the following:
The result is a functional and cohesive layout that allows you to determine exactly how many kitchen tools and containers are within view. It’s like a portal to an overly caffeinated Narnia: unsuspecting, yet dreamy and full of surprises.
Flashier Coffee Bar Ideas
If you’re looking to highlight your coffee bar, a smart initial tactic is to identify areas in or around your kitchen that are just there — the space beneath the stairs, the unused side cabinet — and assign them a new purpose. A statement bar can completely transform a space and create a new gathering place for a cozy morning moment.
Make use of smart storage solutions such as floating shelves and countertop organizers and incorporate eye-catching design elements such as plants, picture frames, and fun glassware. Whether you opt for a built-in bar or a designated counter space, intentional design choices are key to making your coffee station stand out. You might try one of the following ideas:
Other Coffee Bar Ideas Using Repurposed Items or Areas
One of the most exciting parts of creating a coffee bar lies in the opportunity to reimagine a space, whether it’s an empty wall in your home or a thrifted piece of furniture. Here are some ideas that take an item or space you already have and flip it into your caffeinated sanctuary.
Create a Coffee Cart
As far as coffee bars go, a bar cart is beginner-friendly and relatively affordable. The structure almost dictates itself with a flat, spacious top that’s perfect for gadgets and most-reached-for items, as well as one or two shelves that provide additional storage. I recommend this three-tiered cart from Amazon as a starting point. You can also customize the station and optimize space by installing floating shelves or bins on the wall above. Wheels add the extra perk of relocating the cart around the house, so coffee really can be served hot and to-go!
Repurpose a Side Table or Dresser
Never underestimate the versatility of a tabletop and a few drawers. There’s a good chance you already have one of these in your home just waiting to be converted. If not, a stop at your local thrift store or perhaps even at your grandma’s house can be your one-stop shop! You can go anywhere from classic modern to shabby chic and really lean into design to create a strong focal point with this idea. This Baxton Studio cottage style dresser is another great place to start if you’re looking to start fresh.
Console Cabinets to Coffee Stations
A console cabinet can hold more than flat screens, record collections, and decorative books. With a long surface and a refined, purposeful vibe, a console offers storage solutions while elevating a space. If you’re interested in setting up a hybrid coffee-cocktail bar, a console cabinet offers a natural divide with plenty of room left over for concocting and mixing. This mid-century modern Roomfitters console cabinet is a chic choice with its marble surface and wooden frame. Espresso martini, anyone?
Utilize Built-In Cabinet Space
An outdated (or underappreciated) built-in cabinet is prime real estate in disguise — a coffee bar glow-up waiting to happen. Going vertical is the golden coffee station rule, and this DIY coffee counter makeover perfectly captures the whole process, including adding storage. As the homeowners mention, flipping a kitchen corner is a wonderful opportunity to transition into a new or different style that better aligns with the rest of the space.
Use an Armoire for an Elegant Touch
As vintage-lovers know, high-quality armoires are often left forgotten in basements or thrift shops. With a bit of a vision and some patience, they make for beautiful statement pieces that frame coffee bars like art. Upcycling an armoire into a functional coffee bar, as shown in this TikTok, is all about how much creativity you put into it. Once doors and unwanted shelves are removed, paint, wallpaper and decor can completely change the game. Plus, there’s so much extra room for storage!