Coffee Bar Ideas for Kitchen Counter

Why a coffee station?

Besides aesthetics, a coffee station is a great way to keep all your coffee essentials in a centralized location. A coffee bar brings the coffee shop right into your kitchen. It allows you to curate a well-made cup of coffee that is perfect for you and your family’s taste buds.

Whether you like it hot or cold, sweet or sugarless, creamy or not, a coffee station gives you endless options without the high-end price tag of coffee shops like Starbucks, Peets, or any local cafe. My coffee bar has a dedicated space set up on my kitchen countertop.

While I could setup up the coffee station on a coffee bar cart, small table, console table, or repurposed piece of furniture, I have chosen to maximize my countertop space by setting up the coffee bar on kitchen counter. This coffee bar on kitchen counter set up is also a good choice for small spaces. So if you have a smaller space, this setup might be perfect for you.

So save yourself some money (especially if you are on a tight budget), and let’s start setting up your cute coffee bar on your kitchen counter space.

Coffee Bar Must Have Supplies

Coffee Maker – What is the point of a coffee station without a coffee maker? A coffee maker is a requirement and the main equipment for setting up a home coffee bar. First, you must figure out the style of brewing method that you prefer. Do you like pour-over coffee, espresso, drip coffee, or Keurig? I love an old fashion drip coffee, so I have a Mr. Coffee coffee maker machine capable of brewing 14 cups at a time. For my vacation rentals, I equip them with this fancy Drew Barrymore Coffee Maker that is super cute and stylish.

Alternatively, Keurig coffee makers have become more popular nowadays. It is a great way to make one cup of coffee with the push of a button. While I’m not a huge environmentalist, I’m not too fond of the fact that the pods are not compostable. However, a Keurig is a great option for setting up a coffee station.

If you really want to take it to the next level, opt for a high-end cappuccino or espresso machine to truly feel like you have a barista in your own home with all the bells and whistles. Whatever you choose, make sure it can make that perfect cup of coffee to satisfy your needs.

The coffee maker will be your coffee station’s highlight and focal point.

French Press – Some might argue that a french press makes the best coffee. I keep a french press machine on hand because sometimes I like to switch up how I make my morning coffee. This one is a must-have on your coffee bar counter. A French press allows for steeping, making the coffee bolder and richer in flavor. In addition, I also use the french press for days I want to have tea. I sometimes use the french press to steep my loose-leaf tea.

Coffee Grinder – A coffee grinder is necessary for grinding whole coffee beans. If it’s specialty coffee like this Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, then I prefer to buy coffee beans instead of ground coffee to extend the shelf life of the coffee. Coffee beans stay fresher and last longer. The grinder helps to mince down the beans to ground coffee.

Milk Frother or Steamer – I use the milk frother when I want a fancier coffee to give it a cafe like touch. This makes me feel like I went to Starbucks or my favorite coffee shop without the high price tag.

Pretty Canisters – Because the aesthetics of the coffee bar is important to me, I decanter and store everything I need to make my morning coffee. This includes ground coffee, coffee beans, sugar, filters, tea bags, and individual package creamers. I use these clear canisters to store my ground coffee, sugar, and sweet treats that go well with my morning coffee, like biscotti or a breakfast bar.

I label each canister to identify the item quickly and easily in the coffee area. These pretty canisters give my counter top space a clean and streamlined look.

Electric Kettle – My coffee station is equipped with a gooseneck electric kettle. This kettle has a long thin spout and a very thick handle. This particular kettle is best for the pour-over method of brewing coffee. Because this method requires more attention to detail and is much more manual, it is not always my go-to for making coffee, but every now and again, I use it to make a strong single cup of coffee. The gooseneck kettle is also great for simply making hot water to pour into my french press to make coffee or tea. This little kettle makes an adorable addition to any coffee station.

Coffee Mugs – I tend to lean towards clear or classic white mugs. I usually have a couple of mugs on full display to choose from. My coffee mugs come in varying sizes to accommodate the portion of coffee I plan to have that day – from large mugs for your caramel latte to small espresso cups.

Coffee Creamer – If I’m being honest, I still love loads of cream in my coffee. So this is more of a personal must-have. My husband has a running joke where he asks, “if I want a splash of coffee with my creamer.” Apparently, he thinks I use way too much creamer. Maybe I do, maybe I don’t, but I promise I am working on reducing my daily intake. While his jokes are a bit of an exaggeration, my coffee station isn’t complete without coffee creamer.

How to set up the coffee bar station

Now for the fun part of setting up your home coffee station. When setting up your DIY coffee station, think about your favorite cafe, what you love about it, and how it is set up. Then think about how you use your supplies in the kitchen when making coffee. Try to plan out precisely what you want, considering the space available on your countertop.

1. Declutter the countertop

Start by decluttering the area on the countertop where you plan to set up the coffee station. It is nice to have a clean slate when beginning.

2. Plan the flow of the coffee station

The coffee maker will be the focal point of the coffee station, so position it in a place to allow easy access and for everything else to flow around it. Think about both aesthetics and functionality when setting up your station. For example – is it near an outlet and can be easily plugged in? Is it near a water source? There should be enough space for your coffeemaker, essentials, accessories, outlet, and access to a water source. Everything should flow effortlessly and be easily accessible. You want everything to be in one place to boost your morning coffee routine.

3. Storage and space utilization

Utilize the shelves, drawers, and cupboards to maximize the space around the coffee bar. This will give you room and storage to stash away more unsightly items and hide away extra coffee essentials, coffee cups, and coffee beans or pods.

4. Organize with canisters, storage containers, and trays

A canister and tray will make your coffee station feel more collected and cohesive. Decanter and store your ground coffee, coffee beans, sugar, filters, tea bags, and individual package creamers in the canisters. You can also use containers such as mason jars, cups, or decorative baskets to assist with organizing your spoons, filters, and stir sticks. Be sure to label all your containers so you can quickly tell what’s in them. Use a tray to accessorize and keep everything grounded and contained.

5. Show off your pretty mugs

Mugs are essential to the coffee station. You can display your mugs in a fun way by hanging them on hooks, on a mug tree, or utilizing the shelves. How you choose to display them will depend on your decor and design style.

6. Greenery, please

Florals and greenery can add so much life to your coffee station. It is the finishing touch that your coffee station might need. So give the coffee station a natural vibe and let nature in. You can choose a live plant or a faux plant that looks surprisingly real.

7. Integrate artwork

If nothing else, artwork near your kitchen coffee bar is simply cute with an added splash of your personality. This will really make your beautiful coffee bar pop and stand out. Opt for a small framed print that speaks to you and instantly inspires you in the morning. The artwork can be coffee quotes or seasonal phrases.

Comprehensive List of Essentials for Coffee Bar Station

Coffee Equipment & Tools

• Manual Coffee grinder or Electric grinder
• Coffee maker, espresso machine, Keurig or pour-over coffee maker
• French Press
• Milk frother or steamer
• Scale
• Electric Kettle or Teapot
• Canisters
• Coffee mugs
• Measuring spoons
• Travel mug
• Syrup dispenser

Coffee Supplies

• Ground or whole coffee beans
• Tea Assortment
• Coffee pods (if you choose a Keurig)
• Filters
• Spoons
• Stir sticks
• Sugar
• Creamer
• Toppings – cinnamon, pumpkin spice
• Hot chocolate
• Honey
• Coffee Syrups – vanilla, caramel, hazelnut and other simple syrup flavors
• Napkins
• Whipped cream

Coffee Accessories

• Greenery
• Flowers
• Mug tree, Hooks, or Mug rack
• Tray
• Coffee art work
• Morning treats
• A small bottle of rum, whiskey, or brandy

Hopefully, you enjoyed my DIY coffee bar ideas for the kitchen countertop. Grabbing your coffee in the morning when you’re half awake just got easier. Whatever you add to your coffee station will ultimately be up to your personal preferences. The best part about this coffee bar is that it is customizable and can be neatly tucked into the countertop corner if you have a small kitchen. You can literally do whatever you like.

For more decorating and organizing ideas, check out 7 Best Small Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget and Budget Friendly Snack Pantry Ideas for the Entire Family.

I’d love to hear what you think about this article, so leave a comment below. Feel free also to follow me on my social media pages – Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for other design inspiration and home decor ideas.