With the rise in café culture showing no sign of slowing it’s no surprise that people want to bring the coffee shop vibe into the home. Creating your own coffee bar can be surprisingly easy and doesn’t have to be costly. Who needs to go out when you can have quality coffee without leaving the house!
Here are four quick and simple tips to follow that will make adding a charming coffee bar a breeze.
1. Find a Suitable Space
Before anything else, you need to decide whether you are planning to use a corner of the kitchen or convert an unused garage into your café space. How you plan to use the space will have an enormous impact on your decision – if you just want more room on your work surface as you make your morning cappuccino, moving your kitchen appliances might be enough. For a more sociable space with a full-on lounge feel, it might be a bigger project involving clearing out and repurposing an existing room or garage. This is great for anyone who loves playing host to friends, family, or book groups.
2. Comfort is Key
Part of the appeal of coffee shops is their comfort and versatility. Think about the elements that most appeal to you – if you use your local coffee house as a workspace, you might prioritize having electrical outlets in your home coffee bar area and a table for your laptop. If relaxing with a magazine as you sip on a soy vanilla latte is your coffee shop guilty pleasure, a sofa or lounge chair might be more suitable. Piles of cushions, cute tablecloths, and a bookshelf filled with literary classics – fill your space with items that make your heart sing. Whatever you decide, make sure it works for you.
3. Accessorize
Think of the places you love to go for coffee and it’s likely your favourite places have not just the perfect joe but also an aesthetic that gets you going back time after time. This might be a bohemian style with bright coloured wall hangings and tasselled light fixtures or a minimalist monochrome design – whatever floats your boat. If you are dedicating a large space or whole room to your coffee bar, consider the look as a whole and put your interior design skills to good use. There are some great ideas on Instagram and Pinterest if you are short on inspiration. If what you are creating is more of a coffee workstation in your kitchen, that doesn’t mean you need to forego this fun part of the project. Buying new mugs and accessories can change things up as can adding adhesive LED lighting strips or using tile paint for a quick revamp. The options are endless, so let your imagination run wild!
4. The Coffee
It goes without saying that the coffee itself needs to be up to standard if you are creating a coffee bar at home – that’s what it’s all about! There are many options available, and it can seem overwhelming if you are just starting out exploring different blends, but don’t be afraid to try something new. There is something for every taste and trends change all the time. Keep up with the latest craze by trying kopi luwak. Often called poop coffee because of the fermentation process it undergoes – through the bowel of a civet cat rather than in water or the sun – it has a unique taste and smooth texture.
Once your coffee bar is complete, sit back and drink in the space you have created. Good coffee is one of life’s simple pleasures so put your feet up and enjoy!
