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Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and the world of fitness.

Coffee is a big deal. It’s a social drink, it wakes you up, and it has the power to transform any room into a cozy little spot. Serious Coffee lovers take great pride in crafting a cup of Joe. A home coffee station is easy to create a place to brew great-tasting coffee while keeping your favorite tools conveniently organized so they’re always within reach when needed.

But if you’re looking to add a coffee bar, you want to make sure it’s adequately stocked. Here are some things to consider as you set up your home coffee bar. 

Place Your Coffee Station in an Area That is Both Functional and Beautiful.

First, you’ll want to consider the placement of your home coffee station. Avoid placing it on a kitchen counter, which will take up valuable cooking prep space. Instead, try identifying a corner of your home that is currently being underused.

If your home is small, get creative and think vertically. A series of well-secured shelves can be an ideal solution for organizing your coffee equipment. If you lack horizontal space, create it by incorporating a bar cart with storage underneath in place of regular kitchen cabinets. A cart is an excellent solution if you rent, as you won’t have to risk damaging walls permanently.

When choosing a location, you’ll want to keep height in mind. Store taller, lightweight items like milk frothers or spoons up high, while heavier items (think bulky bags of coffee beans and large ceramic mugs) are better at eye level or below. You want to avoid reaching way above your head to grab a hot carafe of steaming coffee. You’ll also want to ensure your station is close enough to a water source or electrical outlet if you use a drip coffee maker. 

Stock Your Station With These 11 Things

Once you’ve scouted the perfect spot for your dream home coffee bar, you’ll want to decide on the type of setup. When organizing your coffee station, decide which coffee brewing method you’ll use and which tools will be necessary to get the job done. Only spend money on organizing containers or brewing equipment once you know what you need. 

Here are some commonly found items in a home coffee bar. Note you don’t need to rush out and immediately buy all of these things, but once you determine your preferred brewing method, it’s a great jumping-off point to decide on supplies. 

1. Milk Frother

If you don’t have an espresso machine, a standalone milk frother is a convenient way to make foam for your cappuccino, latte, or hot chocolate. 

2. Drip Coffee Pot

Making a decent cup of coffee is easy and quick with a drip coffee maker. For added convenience, some models even include timers and built-in grinders, so you won’t have to bother about accurately measuring the proper quantity of water or beans each time you want a new cup of Joe.

3. Espresso Machine 

Espresso machines produce small servings of concentrated coffee at high pressure, which produces more flavor than standard drip-brewed coffee. They also usually have a steam wand attached for steaming and frothing milk. These are invaluable tools but can be very expensive.

Related: Our 13 Favorite K-Cup Coffees To Try

4. Coffee and Espresso Beans

Beans in your preferred roast are the most important part of your setup! However, you definitely want beans, not pre-ground bags. Freshly ground beans tend to stay fresher longer than pre-ground ones because the oils haven’t been exposed to air yet, which makes them susceptible to oxidation if not used quickly enough after grinding (note that this can vary depending on how fresh your beans were before being ground).

5. Coffee Bean Grinder

Most aficionados prefer burr grinders. Burr grinders have sharp cutting surfaces that spin at high speeds. A cheap blade grinder will chop up your coffee beans into uneven pieces, ruining your brew. This process creates an even particle size, which means all your beans will be brewed evenly and consistently.

6. Pour-Over Brewer 

A pour-over coffee brewer is a simple brewer that makes a single cup of coffee at a time. It’s typically a funnel shape and is designed to hold the coffee filter in it. The pour-over method of brewing coffee involves slowly pouring hot water over ground coffee, allowing the grounds to steep and release their flavor into the water.

Related: The Beginner’s Guide to Pour Over Coffee

7. French Press

French presses are simple: grounds and boiling water sit in a chamber beneath a plunger. The coffee steeps for a few minutes before you push the plunger down, separating the grounds from the coffee. You have a lot more control over the taste of the coffee than with traditional coffee brewers and espresso machines.

8. Coffee Mugs and Espresso Cups

A coffee mug is the most common thing people drink coffee from. It is usually made of ceramic or glass and holds between 8 to 16 ounces of coffee. An espresso cup (also known as an espresso shot glass or demitasse cup) serves espresso shots or macchiatos. Espresso cups are usually small, with a capacity of around 30ml (1 oz), while ristretto cups tend to be larger at 60ml (2 oz).

9. Hot Water Kettle

Electric kettles make pour-over coffee a breeze. Not only do they heat water, but you don’t have to risk burning yourself on a hot stove or in another container.

10. Extra Coffee Filters

Whether you use a pour-over or a drip coffee maker, make sure you have coffee filters in stock.  

11. Toppings and Syrups

Coffee lovers can add cocoa powder, cinnamon, or vanilla to their favorite drink for an extra flavor boost. For a sweet taste, try adding hazelnut syrup or caramel syrup.

Add Some Buzz and Personality! 

Now comes the fun part — adding your personality to your home coffee bar.

Adding overhead lighting is key for those who love early-morning lattes or late-night hot cocoa sessions. You want something that isn’t blindingly bright while still giving you enough light to see your coffee. Consider installing under-counter LED strips under a fun custom neon sign or a small vintage lamp.

You’ll also want coffee-themed decor. Get wall hangings, paintings, some plants, and other things that can add a pop of color and character to your kitchen. Sleek black accents will make your setup look elegant and sophisticated. You can also go with neutral colors like white or cream, which is perfect if you already have many items in this color palette in your kitchen.

Do you want to create a modern industrial look or an old-fashioned European cafe feel? Mason jars filled with colorful beans or loose tea leaves add a touch of whimsy while still keeping things simple and clean looking.

Ready, Set, Brew! 

There are so many ways to make your home coffee bar match your personality! Whether you’re hosting guests or just enjoying a cup, you’ll love having a convenient place for all your favorite things. As the number of specialty coffee shops continues to grow, so does the demand for a home version of the experience. A coffee bar is not just about serving up delicious java or tea. It’s also about providing a place where friends and family can get together over a cup of Joe and connect over the conversation.

You might also be interested in: The 11 Best Coffee Grounds [For Caffeine Addicts]