Small Space, Big Taste: Creating a Mini Coffee Bar at Home

Hey there coffee lovers! If you're anything like my hubby, there's nothing quite like starting your day with a delicious cup of joe. But what if you don't have the luxury of space for a full-blown coffee bar at home? Don't fret, my friend! In this article, we'll show you how to create the perfect coffee bar in even the smallest of spaces. So grab your favorite mug and get ready to brew up some big taste right in the comfort of your own home. Let's dive in!

There is nothing like the smell of fresh brewed coffee in the morning and what makes that even more delightful is coming into the kitchen to a spot dedicated to crafting a cup of java.

In our house my hubby is an avid morning coffee drinker. We have had different nooks and crannies devoted to his beloved coffee pot but this one is our personal favorite for many reasons.

So let's walk through how I created this cafecore corner on the counter and hopefully it will inspire you to create a mini coffee bar in your home.

Mini Coffee Bar

Before we dive into the details of this coffee station I want to share that the main event also known as the coffee maker has had several homes in our kitchen but recently I had this aha moment and decided to move it to a new location.

With that let's talk about where to set up your mini coffee bar.

Cozy Corner Cafe – Accessing Your Space

Determining the ideal location for your coffee bar is a major step in the right direction. Kitchen countertops are the most popular location but you can think out of box and try other places like a bar cart, hutch, and butlers pantry to name a few.

In our kitchen, we used to have it in the corner, sitting on a tray so we could easily pull it out to pour water inside. But recently I decided to move it next to the fridge.

This allows us easy access from the side and front. This turned out to be a great idea.

What a difference this has made in coffee making. It is easier, and the coffee machine hardly has to be moved.

Also, be creative with where you place the coffee bar. If you have a drawer below or cabinet above, this could be more coffee bar real estate.

In our case, we decided to dedicate the cabinet above to coffee-making essentials. I will delve more into that later.

How Do I Build a Coffee Bar in a Small Space?

If you don't have enough counter space for your coffee bar, try adding open shelving or a tiered tray for your favorite coffee supplies, and it can also act as decor.

Along with your favorite coffee cups and French press, add fun pieces like a sign, figure, or seasonal decor. If you have a very small kitchen, you could also put it in the dining room, close to the kitchen.

Can I Put a Coffee Bar in My Bedroom?

Good news! While the kitchen is where you usually find a small coffee station, given its convenient location, a mini coffee bar in your bedroom is a great addition and adds a touch of luxury and convenience.

If you have a small table or counter space, it's a great place to set up a dedicated space for your mini DIY coffee station using non-perishable items.

I love the idea of brewing a cup of coffee or tea in your favorite favorite coffee mug and climbing right back in bed. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Choosing the Right Equipment

In tight and small spaces your largest item – the coffee maker needs to be compact and slim.

I am going to cut right to the case here because I think I have found the best mini coffee bar coffee machine. Meet the Drew Barrymore “Beautiful” single serve coffee maker from Walmart.

This coffee maker is multifunctional. It auto-grinds fresh whole beans and brews pre-ground coffee plus you have two options of hot coffee or iced coffee. No need for coffee pods and less waste.

Love this!

To make this small but mighty coffee maker even better it makes the precise amount of coffee in six different sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 oz. It's an easy way to get just what you need from your little coffee nook.

I couldn't believe we found a coffee machine with so much versatility and my favorite part is how pretty it looks.

This coffee maker comes in different colors. If you want to add a pop of color, this is a great coffee maker for you. I chose the color white to keep our stylish coffee bar bright.

But to make this small coffee bar even more challenging is that I am a tea drinker. I wanted an electric kettle and with limited space I went with this small kettle on Amazon.

There is something about pushing one button and getting hot water in minutes that will make a warm cup of tea so much better. This works great if you use a pour over coffee maker too. And it looks great in our mini coffee station.

The coffee maker is the leading lady in this play but there are other important characters. Let's talk about essential.

Stocking Up On Essentials

Next finding a spot for essentials is important when it come to a coffee bar and in our small coffee bar alcove I chose to look up into the cabinet above. Moving items out of this space and alotting it only to coffee items was the solution.

Coffee Mugs and Glasses

Now that we have a coffee maker that does hot and cold coffee, we moved all our mugs to one shelf and added these new to us iced coffee glasses from Amazon.

Finding a spot close to the coffee machine helps keep the morning routine flow seamlessly.

Fresh Whole Beans & Ground Coffee Storage

Another important element is where to store your coffee. On the first shelf, I took glass jars with wooden lids and transferred the whole beans and grounds into the containers.

Not only does this look pretty, but it keeps the coffee fresh and easily accessed.

Coffee Syrups

Next to the coffee storage on the same shelf are two syrup dispensers. I also found these on Amazon and talk about quality.

The glass containers are very thick and they come with a host of beautiful white labels. Since we now can brew ice coffee I thought it pertinent to have syrup dispensers for fun.

Cream and Sugar Dish

Since we are on the topic of sweeteners you will need a place for sugar and cream.

You might have enough space for both on the counter but if you are like me and want to put out some breakfast pastries then you may need to move the sugar dish to in the cabinet.

Thankfully we had space for my Ranny's Currier & Ives sugar dish.

When shopping for cream and sugar dishes look at thrifting or on Etsy.com. There are usually so many options and unique one of kind finds.

A decorative great and sugar dish might be the icing on the cake in your coffee bar design.

Coffee Bar Tray Ideas

Last, consider including a coffee bar tray. I have another post where I share many beautiful coffee bar tray ideas from some talented decorating friends, but for our tiny coffee bar, my daughter's wood tray cloche was just the right fit.

The round shape and small size is perfect to hold a small amount of pastries for tea or breakfast scones for morning.

You don't have to have a tray but it can be handy and useful.

Check out the blog post coffee bar tray ideas to get more inspiration and practical functions of coffee station trays.

Personalizing Your Mini Coffee Bar

Finally consider to include a coffee bar sign or art in your coffee niche.

I love vintage decor and to give my coffee bar that vintage vibe I chose this small piece of art I picked up while traveling in Romania. The size adds that delicate touch to the space and more color the coffee corner.

I cannot decide if I should frame or not. I kind of like the simplicity of it hanging without a frame.

The easiest and inexpensive way to add vintage art to your coffee zone check is with printable vintage art from Etsy. We have an entire section with vintage art.

Download, print and apply a thin board with modge podge and like magic you have fancy old art.

Creating a Cozy Atmosphere

Last but not least is lighting.

When working on your coffee bar make sure you have ample lighting to see and if possible lighting to create cozy atmosphere.

Thankfully our kitchen is well lite with recess lights but recently I got these puck lights from Amazon to go under the counters.

This puck light in my coffee station was a bright idea – pun intended.

Not only does this puck light offer a little more lighting, but somehow, it gives the small coffee bar a moody feeling. With a swipe of my hand it turns on and off. It is just what the corner needed.

Well there you have it. Our mini coffee coffee bar is complete and we are very happy with it. It meets all the design elements, function, aesthetic and quality.

Here are few final thoughts.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, creating your own mini coffee bar at home can be a fun and rewarding project. Not only will you have the convenience of enjoying your favorite cup of joe whenever you please, but it also provides an opportunity to showcase your personal style and creativity.

By following these simple steps and incorporating some key essentials like a good quality coffee machine, a variety of coffee beans, stylish mugs, and cozy coffee signs, you'll be well on your way to creating a charming little oasis for all your caffeine needs.

So go ahead and indulge in the pleasure of crafting delicious coffee creations right in the comfort of your own home – it's time to turn that corner or countertop into a delightful mini coffee haven!

For more ideas for your kitchen check out:

• Farmhouse Style Coffee Bar Ideas
• Coffee Shop Decor Ideas
• Coffee Tray Ideas
• Perk Up Your Space: The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Bar Accessories

Have you set up your own coffee bar? I'd love to hear about your favorite essentials in your cozy coffee bar in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by and reading this post. I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy a fresh cup of joe.

Happy Decorating!