Calling all coffee drinkers! (So, everyone...right?) Are you bored with your standard coffee setup and looking to re-energize your space with some fresh design choices? If so, look no further than this list of 20 coffee bar ideas to infuse your morning beverage station with style.
From simple decor changes to full-on renovations (hello, wallpaper!), this list has something for everyone and every kitchen. Whether you are devoting a freestanding cabinet or pantry to your coffee bar, using open kitchen shelving, or corralling supplies in a cute tiered tray on the counter, seriously, you're covered.
And, a stylish coffee bar has never been more timely: Pinterest recently named café-core as one of the hottest trends of the year. “This year, at-home coffee stations will become the new way to espresso yourself,” says the 2024 Pinterest Trend Report. So, sit back, brew a fresh pot, and be inspired. Oh, and if you’re looking for a new twist on your regular cup of joe, try out our white spiced coffee recipe!
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1
Choose Corbels with Charm
If you’re going for a fanciful wall-mounted coffee bar setup, choose corbels with personality. We love the café charm these scroll-style pieces bring to Bailey McCarthy’s Texas farmhouse.
RELATED: See more of this century-old Texas farmhouse!
2
Layer on the Vintage
Does your coffee bar just need a bit of refreshing? Try adding in some new vintage pieces for a dose of classic country charm, like homeowner Abby Albers did in her Michigan cabin. A retro-style espresso maker from SMEG pairs easily with a set of matching 1950s metal signs advertising trading stamps. She found both on Facebook Marketplace for $125 total! A metal bottle stand keeps mugs at the ready.
RELATED: See more of Abby's vintage collections in her 800-square-foot cabin!
3
Keep It Contained
In this airy Texas farmhouse, an antique wood tray sets the coffee area apart. Follow the old adage of keeping like with like, and use similar vessels like these glass containers to create a cohesive vignette.
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4
Set the Stage with Wallpaper
In an open concept living-dining-kitchen space, it’s best to create distinct zones. Here, homeowner Sarah Anderson deftly employed wallpaper to designate her breakfast and coffee bar.
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: "Raphael" in Black/Dark Green by Sandberg for the House of Scalamandre
RELATED: Tour the rest of this lakeside cabin!
5
Pick a Plate Rack
If you are building your coffee bar from scratch and want to bring in some old-school style, start with a hanging wood plate rack. Often, these racks will have pegs or hooks meant for tea cups that are perfect for coffee cups as well.
RELATED: See more of this North Carolina mountain house.
6
Warm Up with Espresso Hues
While you might not be ready to commit to a restaurant-grade cappuccino maker such as this, you can still re-create the look and feel of this kitchen (pssst...it’s Martha Stewart’s!!) with ease. Instead of going all-white on your coffee bar, warm it up with some espresso-hued mugs and tea cups. If you really want to add some charm, opt for hand-thrown pottery pieces to give it that extra homey feel.
RELATED: Tour Martha Stewart's Connecticut Farmhouse Kitchen
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7
Mount Your Mills
If you prefer the old-fashioned approach coffee mills offer, we say go for it! These antique pieces, manufactured by Arcade Mfg. Co. were popular at the turn of the 20th century. Wall-mounted grinders like these start around $125 and can be found online through antique dealers such as the Illinois-based Painted Lady Antiques.
8
Convert a Spice Rack
Take a cue from textile designer Heather Taylor and convert that spice rack into your coffee station. Here, she piled in mugs, honey, sugar, and more beverage must-haves to her kitchen island's built-in spice rack.
RELATED: Tour Heather Taylor's cozy California cabin.
9
Create a Cohesive Color Palette
If you love collecting vintage coffee cans and camp mugs, stick to a cohesive color palette to ensure it all works together—especially if you have open shelving! Primary colors are a natural fit, and work well in light and airy kitchens in need of a pop of color.
RELATED: 22 Dreamy Open Shelving Ideas for Your Kitchen
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10
Find the Right Furniture
No built-ins? No problem! Find a vintage furniture piece to serve as your coffee station. Here, an antique general store cabinet holds all the essentials. Repurposing your favorite furniture pieces is a great way to add soul to a kitchen without breaking the bank.
11
Go All White in a Moody Space
If you’re leaning into moody tones, opt for light and airy ceramics to balance the palette. White mugs and glass canisters filled with coffee beans provide a layer of visual texture in this dreamy, moody kitchen, home to country music star Thomas Rhett, his wife Lauren Akins, and their daughters.
RELATED: See more of the Akinses' party barn!
12
Get Creative with Mug Storage
If you’re tight on cabinet space and love your mugs, think outside the box on ways to store them. Here, an antique French bottle rack holds a myriad of white mugs in this cozy and creamy kitchen.
RELATED: See more of this antiques dealer's Washington farmhouse.
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13
Add a Sliding Barn Door
Want to add a subtle country flair to your more modern kitchen? Take a note from this built-in pantry that stores everything— including the morning coffee beans—and choose a sliding half-barn door. This wood piece adds texture to the kitchen, while keeping function front of mind. Skip the plastic food storage containers and opt for mason jars for added country charm.
14
Try Three Tiers
If you like tea just as much as your coffee or love someone who does, then try this three-tiered setup. (DIY this look with a large dowel rod and three galvanized plant saucers, or shop similar galvanized tiered trays online.) Keeping everything anyone could need to make their preferred morning drink in one place cuts down on clutter and makes for a pleasing countertop display.
15
Hang It on Hooks
If you have a petite kitchen, don’t over estimate the power of a few well-placed hooks. Here, New Jersey homeowners Joey Meyers and Mark Baehser installed a few hooks on the bottom of their turn-of-the-century Victorian kitchen's open shelving.
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16
Create Distinct Zones
Designer Kate Marker channeled the elegant utility of English cupboards when designing this coffee bar. Built-in shelves and racks on the inside of both doors keep everything in its place, while a tiny drop-in sink from Native Trails makes the daily coffee cleanup easy.
17
Curate Your Cannisters
Give your coffee bar a visual punch-up by storing your coffee beans in vintage coffee canisters. While we love the full mix-and-match approach shown here, you can also make this work by layering in one or two tins in a color scheme complementary to your kitchen's overall palette. Check the canisters to make sure there are no rusty spots or punctures—you want to maintain maximum coffee bean freshness!
18
Lean into Silver
If your coffee maker is chrome (as most are), lean into it! Instead of trying to warm it up with other colors or softer ceramics, pair it with vintage chrome canisters. The layer of patina will add texture and warmth without feeling out of place. This approach works especially well in kitchens that already have warmth brought in through other materials, such as the wood cabinets shown here in this kitchen by Unique Kitchens & Bath.
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19
Cheer It Up
Give your coffee bar a festive twirl during the holidays by layering in some simple decorations. Wooden trees add visual weight, while Santa-themed mugs hung on a rail ensure Christmas cheer won't run out, even when the coffee does!
Get the Look:
Brass Rail: “Brookside” by Rejuvenation
RELATED: Try our wintry white-spiced coffee recipe!
20
Take It Outside
In warmer months, change up your routine by taking your coffee hour outside. All you’ll need is your favorite vintage mugs, a tablecloth, and an insulated beverage dispenser. This idea also works great for nonalcoholic beverages or after-dinner drinks at your next outdoor gathering!
RELATED: Five kitchen collectibles you should always look for at estate sales.
Anna Logan
Senior Homes & Style Editor
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isn’t working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!
