I can't begin my day without a morning cup of joe. And thanks to my home coffee bar, I now brew to my heart's content, enjoying everything from espresso to the most delicate pour-over.
I can’t begin my day without a morning cup of joe. And thanks to my home coffee bar, I now brew to my heart’s content, enjoying everything from espresso to the most delicate pour-over.
I remember the start of my home-brewing journey eons ago. All I had to get me going was a moka pot and a bag of quality Italian beans; how things have changed! I now revel in a personalized coffee sanctuary with my favorite pour-over and espresso setup, grinders and coffee accessories.
So, I had a thought. Why not help you also set up a streamlined coffee bar at home? And although I’m no DIY expert (there are plenty of YouTube videos to help you there), I’ll give you valuable tips for success.
Let’s get to creating a coffee bar design that’s truly yours!
Why Build a Home Coffee Bar?
I’m convinced that a designated coffee space at home isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s a downright necessity, especially if you want to master coffee at home. On this, I’m unequivocal.
Still, apart from improving your coffee game, are there other reasons to set up a home coffee bar? There are, and in case you’re still not convinced, here are just a few of them:
Join the pandemic-driven fourth-wave coffee shift and master barista-quality brews at home.
Explore new bean origins, coffee flavors and brewing techniques.
Save money and realize a return on your coffee investment.
Make more sustainable choices in coffee beans, no-waste equipment (root out coffee pods, my pet peeve) and recycling coffee grounds.Â
Home Coffee Bar Essentials
So now that we’ve established why you should brew your coffee at home, how do we make it happen? The first thing you should do is get yourself some coffee essentials.
You’ll need the following:
Coffee maker: Opt for the best drip coffee maker, espresso machine, French press or pour-over set-up.
Quality grinder: A good burr grinder is essential for optimal coffee flavor, especially in espresso. Manual grinders are good, too, if you’re that way inclined.
Kettle: An electric kettle, particularly a gooseneck kettle, is essential for filter brewing.
Milk pitcher and milk frother/steam wand: Ideal milky espresso coffees.
Coffee scale: A non-negotiable for brewing precision. Look for one with at least 0.1-gram accuracy.
Coffee and add-ins: Stock up on quality single-origins and blends, and include add-ins like dairy and non-dairy milk for frothing, coffee creamers, syrups, spices, and sweeteners.
You must also consider accessories once you’ve nailed these beautiful coffee bar essentials. Some valuable items that’ll complete your home bar include:
Coffee canisters and/or air-tight containers.
Coffee mugs, cups and/or double-walled glasses.Â
Spoons and stirrers for mixing.
A knock box for spent coffee grounds.
Cleaning supplies, e.g., microfiber cloths, napkins, detergent solutions and cleaning tablets.
Although optional, I recommend a notebook to document and improve your brewing journey. You may also go all out and roast your own coffee, though ensure you have the skill set for this first!Â
How to Set Up a Coffee Station at Home
Location, location, location! That’s the first thing you should think about when setting up a coffee station at home. Choose a dedicated space close to a power and water supply.
Next, space. Utilize a kitchen countertop corner, mobile bar cart or upcycled side table as a work surface. Remember to install floating shelves, cupboards and wire/wicker baskets or hooks for showcasing and storage.
At the heart of your coffee station is the brewer. This could be one of these SCA certified coffee makers, a pour-over set-up or espresso machine. For backup, perhaps you could opt for a French press, Vietnamese phin filter, Turkish cezve or moka pot? There’s nothing wrong with these simple brewing solutions! Pair it with a manual or burr grinder, gooseneck kettle and automatic or hand-held milk frother for best results.
Next, store any essentials within easy reach in organizer baskets, hooks, open shelving or trays. Store coffee beans in coffee canisters and other dry ingredients in airtight containers. In addition, keep a knock box nearby for spent coffee grounds. As for filters, coffee scales, cups, and other everyday accessories, you may keep them on racks, easy-access tiered shelves or inside drawers.
Another must-do for your home coffee bar is lighting. Personalize your space with task and accent lighting. This will add warmth and visibility on dark, rainy days and make coffee prep easier.
Oh, and don’t forget to insert interior designer touches like indoor plants and wall art. I know it’s about the coffee, but you might as well look and feel fabulous doing it!
DIY Home Coffee Bar Ideas
So, now that we’ve got the essentials down, how about I fire up your imagination with thoughtful home bar ideas? Here are just a few that got me inspired:
Repurpose a mobile bar cart.
DIY a coffee bar with wood planks and metal. Use the wood for a workbench, cover the legs with sheet metal or use Rust-Oleum spray paint for a metallic look.
Add legs to an IKEA Kallax shelf to create a limited-space corner coffee station. Add a chalkboard menu to give your bar a third-wave coffee shop feel.
Set up an outdoor coffee bar with a mobile bar cart or console table. Use reusable thermos pitchers to heat drinks and disposable cups for guests.
Convert an empty cabinet or walk-in wardrobe into a hidden coffee bar. Ensure there’s easy access to a water source and electrical outlets for your coffee maker.
Design a retro theme for your coffee station with a vintage bar cart, colorful coffee machine and retro tableware. Add a pegboard with hooks to store measuring spoons and other coffee accessories.
Create an industrial-chic coffee bar with a concrete slab workbench. Pair it with weathered wood legs, storage drawers and hanging shelves for a rustic look.
Home Espresso Bar Setup
Setting up a functional espresso bar is slightly more involved than a regular home coffee bar. To install one at home, you’ll need the following:
A best-in-class espresso machine: Pick a machine that matches your level of expertise. Manual espresso machines offer the best control but need plenty of skill, practice and patience. In contrast, the best super-automatic espresso machines offer effortless brewing with minimal input.
Burr grinder: Consider one of these best espresso grinders for finer coffee grounds and even extraction.
Tamper: A good weighted tamper presses coffee grounds evenly into the portafilter.
Digital coffee scale: For weighing coffee grounds precisely to nail those coffee-to-water ratios.
Dosing funnel: Prevents coffee grounds from spilling during grinding and tamping.
WDT tool: De-clumps and evenly distributes espresso coffee grounds in the portafilter.
Puck screen: Helps distribute water evenly across the portafilter coffee bed.
Other espresso accessories, including a knock box, milk pitcher, milk frother, cleaning accessories and espresso glasses.
Ensure you place your espresso machine and grinder on a solid surface near a power and water source. Your best espresso beans, tools and accessories should also be readily accessible. I recommend placing coffee supplies on hanging shelves or baskets and accessories in cupboards.
Coffeeness Signature Espresso Blend
High-quality beans through direct trade
Notes of Chocolate & Hazelnut
Easy on the stomach
Freshly roasted right in Brooklyn
Medium roast
Also, as much as possible, brew with filtered coffee water. Remember to keep at least four microfiber cloths on hand to clean your work surface, portafilter, steam wand and glasses. A small brush also comes in handy for cleaning your grinder after each grind session.
Home Coffee Bar Furniture
Home coffee bar furniture designs can help you to develop a functional and trendy brew area. And they don’t have to be overly complicated or expensive.
A console table serves excellently as the base for your coffee bar. Bonus points if it has drawers for storing coffee accessories and supplies.
Another option is a rolling coffee cart. It’s perfect if you prefer moving your coffee center occasionally. This cart can fit coffee machines, grinders, and accessories.
Yet another furniture idea is a built-in coffee bar, especially if you have unused space at home. Use a slide-out tray for your automatic or semi or manual espresso machine and electric kettle, and then keep them in the storage out of sight when not in use.
Alternatively, you could restore a vintage hutch, crockery cabinet or armoire. This furniture idea adds a touch of nostalgia and is ideal for storing coffee supplies. Incorporate hidden storage elements like cabinets or drawers to conceal clutter and keep it sleek.
How to Build a Coffee Bar
While I won’t go into all the details here, I’ll give you a comprehensive overview of how to build a home coffee bar. Besides, several DIY videos online can walk you through the process step by step. Based on your design, you might need the following materials:
Countertop material like wood, granite or concrete.
Sheet metal to clad waterproof areas or wooden legs if your coffee station has them.
Fasteners: Pocket screws, wood screws and finish nails.
Adhesives: Wood glue and construction adhesive.
Paint and stain: Primer and spray paint for a metal finish and wood stain for a rustic finish.
Assorted tools, e.g., a drill, table saw, miter saw, nail gun, Kreg jig and more.
Lighting: Task lighting for easier visibility and accent lighting for ambiance.
If you prefer a mobile coffee bar, modify a wheeled bar cart and add caster wheels to a sideboard to store your coffee gear.
Arrange your brewing equipment and coffee or espresso accessories in a logical workflow by frequency of use. Remember to include a surge protector with rotating sockets for easy power supply management.
How to Make a Coffee Bar in a Small Space
Creating a coffee bar in a confined space requires creativity. The first consideration for a functional and trendy small home coffee bar is utilizing the dead space above your workbench. By using wall-mounted shelves, hooks and hanging baskets you’ll free up the countertop for brewing.
You may also consider using a slender console table or mobile bar cart as the base of your bar. They’re perfect for small spaces. Besides, bar carts are mobile, so you can readily move them.
Another hack for a limited-space home coffee bar is to choose a smaller espresso machine or 4-cup/5-cup brewer. Alternatively, go the minimalista’s way with a pour-over, French press or moka pot set up. This will allow you to maneuver and still accommodate coffee accessories and supplies in your work space.
And here’s another idea! If possible, convert unused cabinet space into a hidden coffee bar. Ensure easy access to electrical outlets for your coffee maker.
Lastly, use aesthetic accents that spice up your tiny coffee sanctuary. Indoor plants, wall art and task/accent lighting not only help you brew better, but also create a cozy, welcoming ambiance around your tiny coffee bar.
Home Coffee Bar Lighting Ideas
What about lighting? Is it integral? To me, lighting is just as important as your coffee bar’s furniture, coffee gear and accessories. My suggestions below, should help you to achieve a stunning and functional home coffee bar:
Under-shelf lighting: LED strips under countertops, shelves, wood cabinetry or behind coffee equipment create a subtle but effective lighting effect. You may also use colorful LED strips to theme your coffee bar.
Spotlights or track lights: Use this lighting above your coffee station to provide focused task lights that make coffee prep easier.
Pendant lights: Although not mandatory, these ambient lights provide overall lighting and an upscale touch.
Recessed lighting: In the ceiling, these lights are ultra-modern and ensure even lighting across the room.
Rechargeable wall lights: These USB lights aren’t mandatory but add a nice touch. Besides, they’re wireless and perfect for accentuating wall art.Â
Vintage Lanterns: These offer an elegant, old-fashioned decorative accent for your coffee bar.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed reading all about setting up your home coffee bar! Whether you start with a modest French press and manual grinder or break bad with one of these best home espresso machines, your coffee sanctuary is a worthwhile investment.
So, please set up a home bar stat! You never know where it’ll take you in the coffee and interior design rabbit hole!
Do you have a home coffee bar? Thinking of setting one up? Leave your thoughts and opinions below – I’d love to hear from you, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Home Coffee Bar FAQ
Choose your location: Counter space, cart or table. Then, install a quality grinder, brewer and kettle. Ensure your home coffee bar has storage for beans, cups, supplies and accessories and is near a water and power source. Gradually expand with brewing equipment and coffee accessories as needed.
First, assess your space and organize your coffee bar with a workbench, shelves, wire baskets or racks. Use storage containers for beans, and baskets, shelves or hooks for accessories. Arrange all your brewing equipment and accessories in a logical workflow by frequency of use. Consider lighting for both tasks and ambiance, and feel free to add personal touches like wall art and plants.
Always grind fresh-roasted coffee beans using the correct grind setting immediately before brewing. Then, measure the grounds out precisely (use a digital coffee scale) before placing them into your preferred brewer. Use filtered coffee water at the proper temperature and time for your extraction carefully. Remember to clean all accessories and equipment after each brew session. Feel free to experiment with brewing variables and ratios until you dial in the perfect cup.
