26 Home Coffee Station Ideas to Help You Quit Starbucks

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With everyone staying home lately, it’s been a lot harder to make it to your local favorite coffee shop. But don’t let the pandemic get you down, you can still create a wonderful coffee bar experience in the comfort of your own home!

Not to mention, buying a Starbucks every day quickly adds up! So today I will show you everything you need to know in order to set up your very own Starbucks at home. Namely, a home coffee station!

In this article you will find:

• Inspiring coffee station ideas.
• Which coffee machine is right for YOU.
• A full guide of coffee accessories for your station.
• Step by step instructions on creating your own coffee station

It’s time to stop buying expensive coffee shop lattes and set up your very own coffee bar at home! You won’t regret it 🙂

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Last week I spoke with my friend about saving money and small expenses that add up at the end of the month. We estimated that she spends around $300 dollars every month on buying coffee at the local coffee shop.

$300!! That’s a lot of money. Let me just do some math: $300 x 12 = $3600 per YEAR! (Yes, I used a calculator for that, don’t judge me.)

In contrast, I have one Starbucks coffee every year. One. It is the pumpkin spice latte that is available in the fall, and I love every sip of it.

So how do I survive the rest of the 364 days each year? The answer: Put together your OWN coffee station at home!

It will cost you a little to set up, but after just a few weeks of use, you will have made your money back. After that, you will save money every single day you use your coffee station instead of visiting your local Starbucks.

So are you ready to start making your coffee station today?

Let’s start by looking at some examples of coffee stations so that you can get an idea of what style you like, how much space you have, etc.

After that, we will go through which coffee machine will work best for you and what kind of accessories you will need. Let’s dive in!

Creating your own home coffee station

To make sure your coffee station actually looks like a coffee station, there are a few things we need to keep in mind.

If you simply put your coffee machine on a surface and hide away all your mugs in a closet, chances are it won’t actually look like a coffee station at all, it will just look like, well, a coffee machine on your counter …

So, things you can do to enhance the look of your coffee station are:

• Keep your favorite mugs on display, this makes the biggest difference. Have a look at almost any of the inspirational images and you will always see mugs displayed in one way or another.
• Have coffee beans on display. Even if you don’t even have a grinder (I know it sounds dumb, but hear me out). A glass jar filled with beans adds an amazing texture and really makes your coffee station FEEL like a coffee bar.
• Think coffee bar. What I mean is, a coffee bar will generally have a lot of different “tools”, ie a french press, teapots, milk frothing pitchers etc. These are things you may not need for your station, but consider using accessories like these as decorations. By mimicking elements of a coffee shop, we are essentially giving the same vibe to our home.
• Jars are great decorations for your coffee station, you can have several of them containing items like sugar, cinnamon, chocolate etc.
• Baskets with tea bags are great to add some interest to your coffee bar.
• Make sure your mugs and any other vessels are matching or at least within the same color palette

Do you take your coffee black with nothing else and won’t need any of the things listed above? Well, consider getting some of these accessories anyways as it really adds to the atmosphere of a coffee station. It will also come in handy when you have guests over.

26 Inspirational Coffee Stations

Alright, let’s take a look at some inspiring images of coffee stations!

Whenever you see something you like, make sure to take note of it so that you have a list of things you like by the end!

1. Space-saving coffee cabinet

If a small corner is looking a little empty, you have a perfect opportunity to transform it into a coffee station. Find a cabinet or cart that you like that fits your space and you are ready to go!

I personally like it when there is an open space as seen in the image above for placing baskets or accessories. Don’t fill them up with Tupperware though 😉 😉

2. Simple coffee corner

If you are really short on space and can’t fit in a dedicated unit for your coffee bar, making a nice and inviting corner on your countertop is a great option.

You will of course, be limited in how much you can fit in, but I think the image above shows a good example of how to make it work! Some simple containers and a fun display for your mugs will make a world of difference! The “COFFEE” sign also helps a lot in making it feel like a dedicated space.

3. Coffee Nook

If you have an odd space that’s a bit too small for most other things, chances are it will do great as your little coffee nook. This is another simple solution for your coffee station and will neither be costly nor complicated.

If you are looking for small coffee bar ideas, something like this could be a good solution, but keep looking, there are a few more space-efficient examples you might like.

4. Fall themed coffee bar

Don’t forget that you can change up the style of your coffee station by decorating it based on the current season.

Doing this will allow you to play around with different decorations, color schemes and even your condiments which is sure to keep things fresh.

The image above demonstrates a colorful take on a fall-themed coffee bar.

5. Clean Coffee Corner

If you have space, something like this will look gorgeous in your home. The hanging mugs really settle the “coffee” look. You could also add a shelf with some additional condiments and tea if you like.

Again, you may notice that this is also a fall-inspired style, we have the pumpkin on the floor and also on the candle holders. This is a lot less extreme than the previous example and will be easier to switch between seasons.

6. Shiny barista style

Having shelves above your coffee unit is not only practical but also provides a more “full” and luxurious look to your bar. Not having anything above your bar could leave it looking a bit empty.

Hanging mugs off the shelf is a great use of space and really reinforces the coffee bar look. I’m really loving the shiny style in this picture, very nice!

Huge bonus points if you keep fresh pastries and cookies available. ^_^

7. Modern design coffee station

A very modern take which works well with the rest of the room seen in this picture.

→ This is something to keep in mind, make sure that whatever style you choose actually fits with the rest of your room, otherwise it will end up looking out of place.

Something like this would go particularly well in an AirBnB suite, making your guests feel welcomed and well taken care of.

8. Clean Christmas spirit theme

As Christmas is coming up as I am writing this I feel that including some Christmas themed coffee stations is a must!

Chalkboards are very popular in rustic style decor, they also help to reinforce the coffee shop look as you always see menus on chalkboards in coffee shops. And don’t forget to hang your mugs off the chalkboard 😉

9. Spacious luxury coffee space

If you are a die-hard coffee lover and have a lot of extra counter space, something like this can never go wrong. Dedicating this kind of space will really allow you to get creative with your coffee station.

While this might look like it takes up too much space, keep in mind that the closed cabinets can still contain your dinner plates and other dishware. Not everything around your coffee machine needs to be connected to coffee. Just make sure to keep non-coffee related items out of sight 🙂

10. Minimalist barista-style

If you prefer to keep your space neat and clutter-free, going down a more minimalist route is also an option.

Pay attention to the wall here: there are cute, very whimsical coffee mugs hand-drawn on the wall which ties into the chalkboard ideas we talked about earlier without actually needing a chalkboard. Personally, I would draw the mugs over to the right above the coffee machines, but that’s just me 🙂

11. Dark luxury coffee bar

If you REALLY want to add a touch of premium to your coffee station, a built-in refrigerator with a glass door will take you to new heights. Serving as a beautiful display for coffee cans, soda, water and also keeping your milk/cream/almond milk cool and ready for use.

12. Festive Nespresso bar

If you are a proud owner of a Nespresso machine like me (check out the Nespresso I use here), you can use the coffee capsules as part of your decor. There are tons of good DIYs around the web of neat storage ideas with easy access for your Nespresso capsules.

I especially like the solution seen in the image above where they’ve labeled each section based on the capsules, very neat! George Clooney would be proud.

13. Scandinavian Coffee Corner

If you are into Scandinavian decor then this might be what you are looking for. Clean lines, limited but very bright color palette with a touch of minimalism.

This type of space will give you a clean look that calms the mind and makes you appreciate the things you have.

Already figured out what style you want? Skip ahead to choosing the right coffee machine below. ⤵

14. Home Barista with IKEA pegboard

The idea of adding an IKEA pegboard above the coffee station seen in this example is a great idea. It adds a slightly industrial feel complementing the chrome on the coffee machine. It also serves as a neat display for your coffee making tools.

Another big bonus with the pegboard is that IKEA has quite a collection of items you can hang on it, really allowing you to customize your coffee station.

Adding a felt letter board is also a very fun touch, because it allows you to personalize your coffee corner however you wish. This felt letter board from Amazon is a great deal and has great reviews. Bonus: you can also get it in a TON of different colors to match your decor 🙂

15. Fully stocked coffee bar

If you are a sucker for the different coffee syrups, gathering different types of syrup bottles is probably already a hobby for you. Good news! They will serve great as part of the decor in your new coffee station!

Many of my friends have several bottles that are jammed into a cabinet, making a mess and are not really that accessible. By putting them out, you will be able to see all your flavors at a glance and it will be so much easier to keep things clean.

Also, how cute is that bunting? Get a similar one here 🥰

16. Coffee cabinet

If you don’t want your coffee station to ALWAYS be visible, you can keep it contained in a larger cabinet. Things will look neat and tidy when the closet is closed, and when you open it you get the full coffee explosion. And just think of the wonderful smell from all the coffee beans and tea leaves. 💕

17. Fresh Summer Coffee Station

This salvaged table combined with colorful flowers and the bright light shining in from the window creates a beautiful, summery vibe to your space.

While it’s not super space-efficient, it might work really well if you have a window that you are not sure what to do with, such as in the image above.

18. Space-saving coffee nook

Even if you are really short on space you can see how we can still make it work by making use of all the available space.

Hanging your mugs on IKEA rails and adding some small decorations is enough to make a coffee in the morning a bit more inviting!

19. Coffee station combo

A more humble example is combining your coffee station with other everyday use items as seen in this example. It’s, again, the hanging cups that make coffee the prominent feature of this corner. Take the cups away and it would no longer be an obvious coffee corner.

20. Fresh farmhouse style

This luminous home coffee bar makes use of a limited palette (shades of brown hinting at the color of coffee) while introducing farmhouse elements.

This is intentional design, nothing in this image was randomly placed here. It is clear that everything was kept within a certain palette and care was given to the composition of each item. The result: balance.

21. Farmhouse coffee station

This example is a full embodiment of the traditional farmhouse decor style. The buffalo check cloth, labeled jars, mugs and the wooden and copper tones all make this a perfect example of a farmhouse coffee station.

It’s cozy and inviting, if you are looking for farmhouse style coffee bar ideas then this image can give you many great tips!

22. Minimalist coffee station

If all you need is a small coffee maker and that is the end of it, no need to complicate things. Going with a minimalist style not only costs you less but it helps with keeping a clear mind.

We’ve made efforts around the house to get rid of things we don’t need and keep our space a little more airy, so including something of this style seems fitting at this moment 🙂

23. Autumn coffee corner

The palette is everything in this one, orange! Dried, red leaves with mini pumpkins = autumn! If you are looking to spice up your coffee nook for your fall decor, look no further.

While microwaves are generally not a beautiful addition to your decor, having one handy is great for heating up milk, hot chocolate etc. It can also be a great option to place it in your coffee station to clear up some counter space.

This is such a genius solution! Using magnets to hold jars containing your coffee, tea, sugar etc looks super neat, makes them more accessible, visible and keeps everything tidy.

If you are looking for some coffee station DIY ideas, keep this one on the list! I’ll definitely be incorporating this idea into my kitchen.

24. Coffee Bar Cart

Using a bar cart is a great solution for your coffee station, it gives an airy feel and it is easy to move around should you need to.

This is a great example of how various coffee accessories can brighten up your coffee station. The french press on the bottom shelf really enforces the coffee bar look, even though we have two coffee makers on the top! Clearly we don’t need all of these, but it looks very nice 🙂

25. Accent Wall Coffee Corner

If you are not afraid to take out the paintbrush, adding an accent wall behind your coffee station will make it pop instantly.

Painting the wall with chalkboard paint also gives you a great opportunity to add some chalkboard text which really settles the coffee bar look.

26. Coffee Emergency

This one cracks me up 🙂 If you want a bit of humor as well then this coffee emergency glass will be right up your alley!

I think we’ve all had a coffee emergency and had this been on my wall I probably would have smashed it a few times. Maybe install a lid for extracting the beans 😉

Finding the right coffee machine for your coffee station

Hopefully, by now you have a good idea what type of coffee station you would like to set up. So the next task, unless you already have one, is finding the perfect coffee machine.

There are many varieties and each have their own pros and cons, it’s also very subjective.

Let’s go over each type of coffee machine and their features, I will give you some suggestions as well based on the inspiration images above.

Manual Espresso Machines

Manual espresso machines are the creme de la creme of coffee makers. It’s what they use in coffee shops and is widely considered to produce the best tasting coffee possible.

A manual espresso machine will also look fabulous in your coffee station. They have all the chrome features and little knobs here and there.

The downside; it’s annoying and time-consuming to make coffee. However, if you are a sucker for buying coffee at the shops, consider getting one of these as you can make your own delicious coffee at a fraction of the cost!

Operating a manual espresso maker does make you feel like a real barista though 🙂

Most of the nicer machines also have built-in milk frothers, providing you with the full Starbucks experience!

They are not as expensive as automatic espresso makers but they can get pricey. I would recommend going with a De’Longhi as they are of great quality and will last you for a long time.

Manual Espresso Machines on Amazon:

Drip Coffee Brewers

The bread and butter for making coffee, not exciting, not the best tasting…. or is it? Personally, drip coffee is my favorite, I’m not sure why but I get tired of espressos and fancy frothed milk after a while. Standard, dependable drip coffee however…. always works.

If you are still buying no-name, preground coffee I have an amazing tip for you: Get a grinder and start buying whole beans instead! It makes the coffee flavor so much better!

Also, there are some pretty neat looking drip machines out there that will improve your coffee station a ton. If you are still holding onto that plastic dripper from Costco from 15 years ago, it’s time to upgrade!

Coffee Brewers on Amazon:

Automatic Espresso Machines

Automatic espresso/coffee machines attempt to give you the flavor of a manual espresso machine, but without you having to do the work.

The connoisseurs of coffee will, however, tell you that it doesn’t live up to the premise. I would agree, especially when the machine does both the coffee and the milk, it just doesn’t taste the same, maybe it’s psychological?

The trick is to manually froth the milk and use coffee from the automatic machine, this will get you really close to a proper barista coffee.

Purely from an aesthetic standpoint, I prefer a manual espresso machine in a coffee station. The manual machines simply look more barista-like and usually have more interesting features. You can find nice-looking automatic machines as well but they tend to be a bit more scaled back.

These automatic coffee machines are however quite pricey so if you are on a budget, I would suggest looking at a manual espresso machine instead.

Automatic Coffee Machines on Amazon:

Pod Machines

Pod machines such as Nespresso and Keurig are widely popular in coffee stations. In fact, it feels like almost half the inspiration images feature a pod machine of some sort.

They are undeniably handy and easy to use: pop a pod in, click a button and your coffee is on its way.

Pod Coffee Makers on Amazon:

Manual Coffee Makers

By manual coffee makers, I mean the ones that don’t require any electricity, such as the french press, moka makers, etc.

Pour Over

Pour-over coffee makers have caught wind lately with all the hipster trends coming in. It’s as basic as coffee gets, DIYers have also taken on the challenge in making custom pour solutions with copper tubes and other creative ideas.

If you are a DIY person then a pour-over rig might be your next project, having something like that in your coffee station is sure to spark a conversation!

Moka Pot

A Moka pot is the traditional way of making coffee in Italy. As a half Italian, I must say that a kitchen without one of these is not a complete kitchen 🙂

The Moka Pot is a timeless coffee maker and even if not used, will serve as a perfect decoration in your coffee station.

French Press

A Bodum French Press has become a staple item in most homes and rightfully so. It produces clean-tasting coffee and the metal version looks really fancy when placed on a shelf.

Naturally, if you can place a French Press in your coffee station it will definitely enhance the coffee look of your corner. They can also be used for making tea so keep that in mind 😉

Cold Brew

Cold Brew has become a thing in the last few years. They are generally sold in bottles for $4 a pop. Ouch. Good news, if you have gotten hooked on this new trend, you can start making cold brew coffee from the comforts of your own home today!

This carafe is also an excellent addition to your home coffee station, anything glass, jug looking will always work great.

Cold brewing is said to give the coffee a sweeter taste, by not heating it up you are not releasing the more acidy and bitter flavors retaining a more smooth result. I tried it but to be honest, I didn’t get the hype. Maybe I screwed it up and should try again.

Smart Coffee Machines

I used the Smarter iCoffee machine for over 2+ years. I loved this machine because I could launch it from my phone! Yes, I can get the coffee going while I’m still in bed. 😉 However, as most early adopter “pioneer” smart devices, it was not without its software issues…

The machine would grind coffee beans directly into the filter cup and then function as a regular drip coffee machine. You choose how many cups you want and it automatically grinds the right amount of beans and adds the correct amount of water.

Coffee Station Accessories

As you’ve probably realized at this point, what makes a coffee station look like a proper coffee station mostly has to do with the accessories and decorations placed in it.

While you don’t want to overdo it, gathering up some really distinct coffee items will make your station go from “kitchen appliance corner” to “coffee bar corner – wow!”.

Adding things like frothing jugs, condiment jars, mugs and espresso cups all help with creating a beautiful coffee bar.

While the example images range wildly in style, they all contain the same type of items with some slight variations. I’ve collected a list of items below that should cover almost 90% of what you saw in the example images.

Click on any of the images in the gallery below to shop them 🙂

After all this, I hope you feel inspired to go create YOUR OWN coffee station! It takes a little bit of work initially to set but it is so worth it in the end, especially with all the Starbucks money you will be saving! 🙂

If you made it this far then I strongly recommend that you pick a style to go with and start collecting items for your coffee station and clear up some space.

Even if you’re not done, I would be so happy to see some pictures of how it turned out, or just a work in progress! 🙂 Either drop a comment or tag me on Instagram and I won’t miss it <3

Thanks so much for reading and GOOD LUCK! I wish you all the coffee in the world.

And don’t let this be you 🙂