Any coffee drinker knows that the coffee pot is the most important appliance in the kitchen. But it’s not just the coffee maker that’s important—there’s also the coffee beans, mugs, coffee grinder, stirrers, sugars, creamers, and the various other elements that make coffee so delightful.
Despite the importance (and necessity) of coffee, the coffee pot typically ends up on a countertop in a random part of the kitchen. Mugs, sugars, stirrers, and other coffee essentials are often strewn about in drawers and cabinets in separate areas.
If this sounds like your current coffee setup, we have you covered. These coffee bar solutions will not only streamline your morning routine—they will also eliminate the question everyone hears when hosting guests: “Where do you keep your coffee?”
Step #1: Use an End Table, Bar Cart, or Dresser to Free Up Counterspace
The first step in designing a coffee station is finding the right piece of furniture. Using an underused end table, bar cart, or even a small dresser will help free up countertop space in your kitchen and will make the coffee station shine.
If you entertain regularly, opt for a bar cart on wheels so you can bring coffee, creamers, sugar, etc. directly to your guests in the living room or dining area. If you don’t have an extra end table/dresser and prefer something that isn’t on wheels, try to opt for a coffee bar with built-in shelving or hooks to hang kitchen items and free up additional counter/cabinet space.
To have some extra fun with your coffee station, a bar cart can serve as a multifunctional space that holds coffee essentials on the top level and cocktail ingredients on the bottom. Opt for two-tiered or three-tiered bar carts to ensure there’s plenty of space, and have some fun when designing it!
Step #2: Utilize Items You Already Have in Your Kitchen
To maximize space, use a coffee bar organizer with two tiers or one that has space for a coffee pot. You can also get creative when storing coffee essentials and utilize items that may be collecting dust in the kitchen, such as a cake stand or pretty serving trays.
Step #3: Make Mugs Part of Your Decor
Rather than hiding your mugs away, free up some cabinet space by making them part of your coffee station’s decor! Utilize a freestanding mug tree rack or holder to keep your mugs in an area that’s fun to showcase and easy to access.
Step #4: Use Clear Canisters to Keep an Eye on Supplies
There’s nothing worse than running out of coffee. To help keep an eye on what is running low, put coffee, sugar, cinnamon sticks, stirrers, etc. in clear canisters. Clear airtight containers keep items fresh longer and make it easy for guests to navigate their way around the coffee station.
Step #5: Add Decorative Details & Seasonal Touches
Creating a coffee bar in your apartment can be a fun and creative way to enhance your living space, and it’s all in the decorative details. To make your coffee bar both functional and pretty, add plants, succulents, kitchen accessories, fresh flowers, and seasonal touches, such as a mini Christmas tree during the holidays, small fresh pumpkins during Thanksgiving, and colorful eggs during Easter. By selecting pieces that complement your existing decor, you can create a cohesive look that ties everything together.
Now that we’ve covered how to set up a coffee bar, let’s dive into some questions you may have during the setup process:
Prefer to Keep Your Coffee Station Out of Sight?
If you prefer to keep your coffee station in an enclosed area, devote one cabinet or drawer to your coffee station. Fill it with mugs, sugars, sweeteners, the coffee grinder, and all other coffee essentials. When guests visit, you can simply keep that cabinet or drawer open for them in the morning so they’ll have access to everything they need.
Where Should I Put the Coffee Bar?
Many don’t consider putting their coffee setup in any other area besides the kitchen. When deciding where the coffee bar should go, think about the areas where you spend most of your time working/sipping coffee.
- Kitchen: The kitchen is the obvious choice since you have easy access to the sink. If you spend most of your time drinking coffee while sitting at the kitchen counter, this is a great place to put it. However, if you pour a cup of coffee in the morning and then carry it through your apartment to get to your desk, there may be other areas that are more convenient, such as the home office or living area.
- Home Office: If you have a home office, it may be easier to have a coffee bar near your desk. Keep a large canister of water in your office to brew the coffee as needed.
- Living Room: If you enjoy sipping your morning coffee while relaxing on the couch, having a coffee station nearby can be a cozy and convenient way to relax at the beginning of the day.
If you typically drink coffee in an area other than the kitchen but prefer to keep the coffee pot near the kitchen sink, you can also create a mini coffee station in other areas of the house. This can simply be a simple serving tray with extra creamers, sugars, stirrers, cinnamon sticks, etc. Mini coffee stations are great when entertaining guests as they can easily be carried from one room to the next.
What Should I Put on a Coffee Bar?
While this is entirely based on how you like your coffee, some great essentials to include on your coffee station are:
- Coffee grinder
- Coffee beans
- K-cups (if you have a Keurig)
- Sugar and syrup
- Non-refrigerated creamer
- Cinnamon (and cinnamon sticks)
- Spoons
- Bonus: Cookies or chocolates for guests
Final Takeaways
Having a designated area for your coffee-making essentials can make your morning routine more streamlined, and a coffee station adds a stylish and personalized touch to your living space. A coffee station can help you start your day off on the right foot, enhance the aesthetic of your apartment, and provide a convenient and inviting space for both you and your guests to enjoy a cup of coffee.
If you’re in the market for a new apartment, Draper and Kramer’s luxurious properties offer tons of space to create a beautiful and inviting coffee station. Be sure to check out Wrigleyville Lofts and Aspire in Chicago, Moda at the Hill in Saint Louis, Crest at Colinas Station in Dallas-Fort Worth, Senita on Cave Creek in Phoenix, and our entire collection of luxury apartment properties today.
