Do you often feel like you need a cup of coffee just to make your first cup of coffee, navigating the kitchen in a sleepy haze?
Creating a custom coffee station with everything at your fingertips can add ease and enjoyment to your morning routine.
If you don’t have the sprawling kitchen of a suburban home, a little ingenuity, creativity, and efficient use of available space will go a long way.
Is there an unused corner you can add a small shelf or bar cart to? It doesn’t necessarily need to be in the kitchen.
If you’ve got a bit more space to work with, using a sideboard, dresser, or other waist-high shelving unit is among the best coffee bar ideas.
Bar carts are a popular choice for a coffee station that can be portable if need be, or just look cute in its permanent home. They are handy and efficient with multiple shelves and tiers.
Vertical space is your friend! Is there somewhere you could take advantage of it by adding shelves, stacking wooden crates, or hanging a pegboard with hooks?
Make sure you choose a spot where you’ll have easy access to the things you most need. For example, Is there an electrical outlet nearby?
How often will you need water, and how will you get it? You can always bring water to the reservoir of your coffee machine in a jug, but try to find a spot that won’t make you travel too far.
Make sure highly used items like coffee beans are the easiest to access. Don’t forget your fixings and a small waste container. You want your coffee station to be functional.
If you drink regular pre-ground black coffee from a drip machine, just add beans and cups.
An espresso machine comes with more stuff: a knock box for coffee grounds, tamper, scale, grinder, cloth, etc. This requires more space and might call for shelves, a cabinet, or a bar cart.
If you switch between multiple brewing methods, such as pour over, French press or AeroPress, you’ll want to find a larger space for storing and displaying all your options.
Certain items can boost organization and aesthetic at the same time. Consider glass jars, baskets, wooden crates, or a cake stand to keep things organized and maximize space.
Personal touches could include chalkboards, indoor plants, photos, or your collection of coffee mugs or antique siphon brewers. Make it unique!