There’s something special about sitting in your local café on Topanga Canyon in Woodland Hills, CA, or among the mountains of Denver, Co, and taking in the social atmosphere while immersed in the scent of artisanal coffee beans roasted by your favorite barista. It’s a feeling so special that you might even purchase a bag of your favorite blend to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

However, to truly recreate such bliss, you’ll want to consider designing or making adjustments to your already existing home coffee bar. In this Redfin article, delve into seven recommendations from interior designers to coffee enthusiasts and experts on how to recreate the aesthetic and taste you crave. 

Designing your home coffee bar

Before you start crafting your coffee beverage, it is critical to create a harmonious space that is conducive to your needs. Designating an area specific to your coffee routine mixed with personality and functionality will elevate your experience.

1. Create an intentional coffee space

Part of what makes the joys of buying a beverage from a café is the overall ambiance of all things coffee. Your home coffee bar shouldn’t be the exception; crafting it to be precisely what it should be at the forefront of your design.

Katie Zimmerman, founder and principal designer for Zimmerman Interiors, states that your design should be an intentional coffee space. She shares, “let the area reflect your love for coffee and be a deliberate part of your routine.” From equipment to coffee beans and homemade syrups, unapologetically stock your floating shelves and cabinetry with all things coffee.

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2. Infuse your personality into the design

Unless coffee is one of the most prominent facets of your personality, integrating elements of your interests is a fantastic way to elevate your home coffee bar. 

Rose Toth, interior designer and owner of RCI Interior Design, recommends “tailoring the design to reflect your style instead of chasing the current trend.” This can be achieved by integrating vintage artwork, colorful equipment, personal photographs, or mugs with your favorite travel destinations or animated characters.

3. Set the mood with ambient lighting

Moody offices and movie nights aren’t the only time ambient lighting is appropriate. Setting ambient lighting within the space of your home coffee bar offers an easier transition into waking up as you prepare your warm beverage.

Lauren Brandwein, principal and designer for Santa Rosa, CA, based firm Rock House Design, shares that “you can easily incorporate ambient lighting with a dimmable counter lamp.” These lamps come in all different shapes, designs, and sizes, making it another great way to introduce your personal touch.

4. Check your electrical and plumbing needs

The last thing you don’t want to forget is how your coffee equipment will operate within a space. There are functional factors to consider when you’re designing your home coffee bar, including how many devices are required and how many power outlets will be necessary in addition to what will be your primary water source.

Camila Gusmao with Decorating Den Interiors suggests planning for these factors regardless of the space size. It would be best if you thought about each step in preparing and making your beverage to maximize the functionality and flow of your coffee bar.

The necessities for your home coffee bar

Now that your home coffee bar is designed to fit your needs, you’ll want to understand what is necessary to recreate that perfect latte or drip from your local café with your favorite blend of beans.

1. Ensure you have good-quality water

Brewing optimal coffee or espresso starts with good water. With several different water sources out there, coffee enthusiast and owner of the coffee-centric brand Caffeineicide, Daniel Arteaga, suggests to those using distilled water adding mineral packets for optimal brewing, but an alternative is alkaline water.

2. Invest in the right equipment

It’s no secret that brewing coffee occurs in different methods depending on the desired beverage. Plus, there are multiple tools outside of your brewing machine that you’ll want to consider having available.

Long-time coffee professional with Coffee Express Wholesale Roasting Co., Tom Isaia, shares that four necessary pieces of equipment to have at home include an espresso machine, a grinder for espresso, a grinder for drip brewing, and a drip coffee brewer.

Phil Goodlaxson with Corvus Coffee Roasters calls the grinder “the most overlooked and essential piece of equipment you can buy,” adding that “with the right grinder, you’ll get better coffee.”

3. Coffee bean quality

Of course, we want to remember the one item that makes the beautiful, bold aroma possible: the coffee bean. If you’re a fan of your local cafes’ daily beverages, buying their house blend is the way to go.

However, if you’re unsure where to start, Daniel Arteaga recommends “using coffee beans that are roasted in a medium spectrum that have aged for nearly three weeks.” He adds, “Using older beans allows them to reach their maximum flavor potential.”

Additionally, Jennifer Femrite, owner and designer of Seeking Stamps, shares to “keep your coffee beans fresh by storing them in airtight containers.” Preserving your beans will ensure longevity and freshness with every grind.

Final thoughts on creating a home coffee bar

Creating a home coffee bar that exhibits your personality while also being fitted with the necessary equipment to craft your favorite beverages will indeed have you waking up ready to take on the day. From ambient lighting and a functional design to your favorite artisanal coffee blend, your home coffee bar will soon feel like you never left your favorite artisanal café.