If your mornings begin with a fresh brew, it's important to keep your routine running smoothly — yes, we believe a great cup of joe can change the trajectory of your day. Whether it's a built-in coffee cabinet, corner coffee counter or kitchen pantry, we've rounded up coffee bar ideas that prove you don't need a luxe setup to capture the function and ambiance of your favorite coffee shop right at home.
It's easy to create a cafe-level beverage when you designate a space in your home for daily coffee essentials like pods or grounds, syrups and coffee makers. Not to mention, all of these DIY projects will elevate your home style, whether your kitchen design is modern, retro or farmhouse. Even if you're working with a small kitchen where every square inch counts, you'll find a setup that inspires you (hint: rolling bar carts, converted closets and hidden coffee cabinets are great ways to maximize space).
As you scroll, you'll find a ton of simple decorating ideas that add charm to your coffee bar. Think playful cabinet colors and bold backsplashes, plus hanging mug displays, floating shelves and wall art. We've also included genius upcycling ideas that involve turning thrifted furniture into striking coffee stations. And it's not all about caffeine, we've sprinkled in easy ways to customize the area with tasty treats, tea bags, hot cocoa or even wine and liquor.
1
Mix Cabinet Colors
Whereas the rest of this modern kitchen has pastel blue cabinets, the coffee bar cabinet stands out with wood cabinetry and glass panels. Clara Jung of Banner Day Interiors fills the see-through cabinet with modern white mugs and a stunning espresso machine.
2
Display Mugs Using Hooks
Located in the corner of a home office, this antique console table houses a high-tech coffee maker, alongside a trendy lamp and lush houseplant. Above, Christine Higgs of @forthehome uses gold rods with S-hooks to hang coffee mugs, utensils, tea towels and a few decorative items.
3
Bring in Gorgeous Greenery
Instantly bring color to your kitchen coffee bar with a few houseplants, which look beautiful paired with wooden accents. We love how Jenny Williamson, principal designer of West Rose Design, makes use of the vertical space by adding floating shelves for tiers of greenery.
RELATED: Best Places to Buy Healthy Plants Online in 2023
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4
Merge Modern With Vintage
Turn your coffee bar into a focal point by blending modern and vintage elements, like a mirrored backsplash, fluted cabinet doors and antique-inspired hardware. Here, the Mendelson Group adds hooks under the cabinets to display mugs and a bar sink for easy coffee prep.
5
Maximize an Awkward Alcove
If you've got a small nook or crevice adjacent to the kitchen, you have a perfect opportunity to turn it into a tucked-away coffee bar. To complete this stylish alcove, Jill Perry, interior designer at Design Works Studio, opts for dark blue cabinetry and wood floating shelves above for extra storage.
6
Paint an Old Dresser
Here's an affordable idea to consider. Repurpose a thrifted dresser (or one you're no longer using) into a coffee bar by painting it a fresh hue. Use the drawers to store coffee filters, coffee grinds, tea bags and mugs, then put your coffee machine and tea kettle up top.
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7
Install a Prep Sink
Instead of going back and forth to the kitchen sink, consider a prep sink in your coffee station. Filling the coffee machine and rinsing coffee mugs just got so much easier.
8
Designate a Space in the Kitchen
Whether you have a spacious kitchen or separate butler's pantry, reserve a dedicated space for your coffee supplies. Liz Goldberg, founder of CAROLYNLEONA, also adds a wine fridge, so this area can effortlessly transition from day to night.
9
Add Floating Shelves
Paired with a geometric accent wall, two rustic wood shelves store coffee mugs and canisters filled with coffee grounds. Don't forget to layer in coffee-themed decor and a few houseplants to complete the aesthetic.
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10
Convert a Closet
Here, interior designer Ashley Gilbreath converted a closet into a stylish coffee bar. The built-in shelves are perfect for storing mugs, stirrers and coffee grounds, while the decorative curtain helps hide storage and extra supplies.
11
Tuck Everything Away
Hidden behind beautiful Ross Alan reclaimed lumber cladding, this coffee and tea bar is equipped with a collection of mugs, a tea pot, cold brew maker and most notability, a coffee maker. The doors tuck in, so you can put away your coffee station when the afternoon rolls around.
12
Transition From Day to Night
Keep the drinks — caffeinated or otherwise — going from morning to night. This day-to-night cart is big enough to store the ingredients and accessories for morning brews, nightcaps and everything in between.
RELATED: Unique Bar Cart Ideas to Bring Personality to Your Space
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13
Build a Beverage Nook
Inspired by timelessness of English kitchens, designer Kate Marker dreamed up this gorgeous pantry cabinet. Open the stately doors to reveal your mug collection, then use the Native Trails Malibu sink to easily prep your morning coffee.
14
Consider a Bold Backsplash
Turn your coffee area into a design statement by going bold with the backsplash and countertop, like Unscripted Interior Design does here. If you have the space, a small round sink makes coffee prep that much easier.
RELATED: Stylish Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Style and Budget
15
Bring the Coffee Bar Into the Office
With a hidden coffee station inside this built-in desk, you won't even need to leave your office to make yourself a cup of afternoon coffee. With a sophisticated cabinet color, interior designer Krisanna Sanders of Recast Homes ensures your guests will have no idea what's inside.
RELATED: Home Office Ideas to Bring Style and Function to Any Layout
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16
Go Glam
From the mirrored backsplash to the sleek gold accents, this coffee bar by Malka Helft of Think Chic Interiors makes a statement without overshadowing the rest of the kitchen. The cabinets above and below are ideal for storing mugs, utensils and other frequently used ingredients.
17
Thrift an Antique Buffet
For a true trash-to-treasure DIY, coat an antique buffet with a glossy finish to give it a more modern feel. Cover any imperfections with baskets, jars and an assortment on monochromatic mugs.
18
Turn Dishware Into Decor
Designate a space in your kitchen to your morning coffee routine. Add floating shelves to ensure your coffee maker, grounds and mugs are all within reach — plus the collection looks gorgeous on display in this space by Becca Casey of Becca Interiors.
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19
Elevate With Wallpaper
Turn a spare closet into a stylish coffee bar by covering the wall with a bold temporary wallpaper and dotting the shelves with decorative accents.
20
Add Pocket Cabinet Doors
You can leave these cabinet doors open while you make your coffee without worrying you'll walk into them, since the doors easily tuck inside the cabinet. Designed by Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions, this kitchen features a built-in coffee station complete with a small shelf that fits a small collection of coffee mugs.
Alyssa Gautieri
Associate Lifestyle Editor
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Amanda Garrity
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
