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No need for Starbucks: Our favorite coffee bar ideas for your home

From mug displays to crafty utensil storage, these coffee bar ideas are sure to inspire you

White mug full of coffee on wood table
Maria Janard / Shutterstock

If you’re a coffee lover looking to save some money and avoid frequent trips to the local coffee shop for a quick pick-me-up, then you might be interested in an at-home coffee bar. Coffee bars are a great way to make grabbing a cup or morning joe easy while boosting your kitchen aesthetic. So, here are some wonderful coffee bar ideas to inspire your next DIY home project.

Classic coffee bar design ideas to try

woman in kitchen using pour over coffee maker
Kübra Arslaner / Pexels

The at-home coffee bar is a classic addition to many homes. If you want to revamp your space and add a coffee setup in your kitchen, you can look no further than these timeless ideas.

Display your favorite mugs

Displaying your favorite mugs is a tried-and-true design tip for the home coffee bar. Not only is this a great way to store your mugs and make them easily accessible, but it can also show off your personality and invite charm into your home. Use floating shelves, mug racks, wall hooks, and glass cabinet doors to display your best ceramics.

Blend modern and vintage styles

A popular aesthetic for the at-home coffee bar is creating a modern look with vintage touches. You can do this by using an alcove in your home with cabinets and a countertop that matches the rest of your kitchen and pairing it with vintage wallpaper or backsplash. Alternatively, you can pair a vintage cabinet with modern coffee equipment and utensils, such as a stylish Keurig and a pod organizer.

Use a bar cart

Bar carts are a must for many homeowners and apartment dwellers who need to save space. These versatile solutions are perfect for transitioning from morning coffee setups to evening gathering stations. Additionally, their mobility makes them great for storing them as needed or moving them around the home during a redesign.

Ideas for a small coffee bar

open shelving with coffee maker and dishes in small kitchen
molenira / Adobe Stock

A common struggle homeowners face is finding the right spot for a coffee bar. While grandiose displays might be tempting, they aren’t practical for every kitchen. Here are some small coffee bar ideas you’ll want to try.

Use an old dresser

Using an old dresser as a coffee bar works wonders. You can paint the dresser to adhere to your design preferences and use the drawers for efficient storage. Stash coffee pods, filters, beans, coffee grinders, or other small tools and utensils as needed. The dresser’s surface is also great for displaying your best coffee machines, mugs, and other decorum.

Opt for an armoire in your alcove

Aside from dressers, armoires and fine china cabinets are gaining popularity in the home once again. Rather than opting for a dresser, use a vintage armoire, hutch, china cabinet, or other display cabinet to show off your coffee gear. Be sure to pick a piece of furniture with plenty of shelves. While glass doors are great for displaying your favorite mugs, also be sure your furniture has some hidden storage as well.

Convert a closet or pantry

For some coffee enthusiasts, converting the kitchen closet or pantry into a coffee bar has been transformational. While this may not work for everyone, some homeowners have found they have more closet or storage space than they need. By removing the doors, adding some cabinetry, and using fun wallpaper or a tile backsplash, people have transformed a dull closet space into the perfect coffee hub.

Renovation ideas for an at-home coffee bar

person pouring coffee into a mug on the counter
Africa Studio / Shutterstock

If you’re willing to tackle a larger renovation when it comes to your at-home coffee bar, then you’ll want to see these project ideas.

Mix and match cabinet colors

Mixing and matching cabinet colors is ultra trendy. While this is often expressed by painting the lower cabinets differently from the upper cabinets, some designers have taken it further. One example is painting surrounding cabinets in one color and leaving cabinet doors with glass panels in their natural wood tone. Alternatively, some homeowners have opted for painted lower cabinets with wood floating shelves or cabinetry up above. This is an eccentric way to show off unique coffee bar setups by drawing the eye to any display cabinets.

Install a prep sink

Miniature prep sinks offer a quick and easy way to get hot water, fill coffee pots, rinse used tools, or dump out dirty water. Some coffee bars use a second sink from the main kitchen sink, often smaller in size and meant as a prep sink. If your kitchen already has a prep sink, this can also hint at the perfect spot to set up your coffee station.

Add the coffee bar to the office instead of the kitchen

While the coffee bar is typically part of the kitchen, there’s no reason you should hold back from adding it to other rooms of the home. A coffee bar in the office can be the perfect spot for the work-from-home coffee lover or for those who use their office during times of day when a caffeine boost is needed. Rather than using the kitchen, consider adding a coffee bar to the office instead.

Coffee bars can be the perfect kitchen or home office addition for those who love to kick back with a warm cup throughout the day. Homeowners can save time and money rather than rushing to Starbucks or the nearest coffee shop by having their own setup right at home. So, mimic these amazing ideas to include a coffee bar in your space.

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