The 20 Best Coffee Bar Ideas for an Elevated Morning Routine

morgan madison design bar
20 Elevated Coffee Bar Ideas Stephen Karlisch


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For many, the day doesn't truly start until we've had our first cup of coffee. It's not an exaggeration to say the first brew is an important part of your daily routine. So why not celebrate this ritual with its own special area? A coffee bar can streamline your mornings while adding a touch of opulence, reminiscent of lavish hotels and resorts, to your home.

The finest coffee bars feature luxe counters and gorgeous cabinetry that not only withstand daily wear and tear but also elevate the overall space. The placement of your coffee bar is important; while the reliable kitchen is a practical choice, situating one in a guest room can create a welcoming oasis for visitors. If you're concerned that appliances might disrupt the design flow of your lounge or kitchen, consider investing in pocket doors or innovative storage solutions to conceal them until it's time to brew and serve.

To spark your creativity, we've curated a collection of the best coffee bar ideas from renowned designers and VERANDA editors that are designed to maximize your space, no matter the size. Whether nestled in an elegant lounge or showcased in the kitchen, you're sure to discover inspiration for taking your morning ritual to the next level. Happy sipping!

Abstract Materials

Is a wellness room really complete without an ultra chic coffee station? Designer Ahmad AbouZanat of New York-based PROJECT AZ utilized various quartz slabs (Cambria) to construct an eye-catching coffee station that becomes a focal point in this meditation room. The JennAir coffee bar is seamlessly integrated into a striking wall montage.

kips bay dallas 2022
Nathan Schroder

Sipping Pretty

If you relish a cup of decaf coffee or a soothing green tea in the afternoon, think about creating a dedicated space for enjoying them. Richmond-based designer Sara Hillery transformed a neglected hallway at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas into a charming afternoon retreat. The area features a custom sofa, upholstered in vibrant green Stroheim velvet with Fabricut tassel trim, and a bespoke Worthen bar cart stocked with a wide array of coffee and tea selections.

sara hillery kips bay dallas
Sarah Linden

Guest Room Dreams

Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard knows that exceptional hosts always include an element of surprise for their guests. In this bedroom, a fully stocked coffee bar is cleverly concealed within a breathtaking antique Indian cabinet. A thoughtfully selected array of books situated beneath the mini coffee station adds a touch of charm, preventing it from seeming overly utilitarian in the space.

kips bay dallas 2021 martyn lawrence bullard guest room
Stephen Karlisch

Rustic Hideaway

Aiming to create the ultimate sanctuary, Morgan Madison incorporated a comprehensive beverage station into the otherworldly lounge area at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas. Rustic wood-grain cabinetry conceals JennAir's under-counter beverage center, ice machine, and coffee system, keeping them discreetly at hand for a delightful afternoon pick-me-up.

morgan madison design bar
Stephen Karlisch

Full Service

At the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, Jason Jones expanded the bar area with options for everyone's fancy. A backdrop of Calacatta marble featuring multicolored striations, paired with an elaborate backsplash from Artistic Tile, sets the stage for the sophisticated built-in coffee system.

kips bay decorator show house dallas 2023 jase jones bar
Nickolas Sargent

Cups in the Closet

Why venture to the kitchen for that first cup of coffee when it can come to you in your closet? Javier Burkle ingeniously integrated a lounge area within this primary closet, complete with a coffee station and wine bar. A plush green banquette forms a luxuriously cozy nook for enjoying your coffee while selecting your attire for the day.

kips bay dallas 2021 primary closet javier burkle
Stephen Karlisch

Games and Brews

Turn your coffee bar into a homey hotspot with a cozy table inviting your family to gather over fresh brews. In this North Carolina mountain house, designer Timothy Whealon cleverly placed a game table adjacent to the bar, creating a snug nook perfect for sipping and socializing.

betty hulse and don leslie's highlands, north carolina home designed by timothy whealon architecture by stan dixon
Brie Williams

Gleaming Tiles

Follow Deputy Editor Jaime Milan's lead and transform that awkward kitchen corner into a chic, well-appointed coffee bar. The wireless Pooky lamp casts a warm glow on the sleek Riad white backsplash, perfectly highlighting the gleam of the Breville espresso machine.

a kitchen with a coffee maker and shelves
Jaime Milan

Chic Bar Carts

Maximize your space with a versatile bar cart—it's perfect for storing all your essentials for coffee or cocktails. At Suzanne Tucker's Montecito cottage, the bar cart (Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair) can elegantly transition from kitchen to garden for brunch or an afternoon cold brew.

small cottage kitchen drinks trolley california suzanne tucker
Roger Davies

Lounge Dreams

If space permits, indulge in a luxurious lounge setup like this one from a California wine country home designed by Ken Fulk. The tables and stools, fashioned from cast and forged brass by Organic Modernism, add a masculine edge that pairs perfectly with a coffee machine and accessories.

gleaming metallics lend 1940s glamour to the lounge and the tables and stools are crafted of cast and forged brass
Douglas Friedman

Multipurpose Rooms

Sometimes the most unexpected areas make the best place of a coffee and bar station. For example, the laundry room moonlights as a silver-and-gold-leaf bar in this Paris apartment by Jean-Louis Deniot.

deniot bar paris veranda
Christoph Theurer

Glowing Reviews

This solarium-turned-bar by Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey was outfitted with everything a gracious hostess may need—including a top-of-the-line coffee machine. Backlit penlights illuminate the shelves, adding a celebratory glow to the luxurious green lacquer that graces the walls, ceiling, and cabinets.

winfrey bar lead image veranda
Lesley Unruh

Party Time

At holiday parties, Antony Todd transforms a dresser corner into a well-appointed coffee station, complete with desserts. The polished silver set and the accessible display create a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance that's ideal for casual get-togethers.

antony todd new york
Max Kim-Bee

Pocket Door Surprise

In her Birmingham, Alabama, home, designer Amanda Hickam cleverly hid her coffee station behind pocket doors, preventing the appliances from distracting from the rest of the kitchen's design. She says, "The pocket cabinet door is the best decision I made. There’s nothing more satisfying than tucking away those countertop appliances and having a nice, clean wall of cabinetry in its place."

amanda hickam coffee bar
Amanda Hickam

Ravishing Retreat

Rich shades of red and mauve invite guests into this lounge and bar by Errez Design at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The bar's built-in under-counter beverage center by JennAir allows for easy self-service, offering refreshments such as coffee and tea.

coffee bar
Nickolas Sargent

Holiday Ready

When in doubt, transform a simple console in your home into the lavish coffee and beverage bar of your dreams. In this this Vermont party barn designed by architect Gil Schafer, glassware, pitchers, a woven tray, and a touch of greenery turn the walnut console into a charming refreshment station for holiday gatherings.

gil schafer bar vermont
Ngoc Minh Ngo

Party Closet Station

If your party closet brims with gleaming treasures, make it a destination for guests to enjoy beverages. In this historic Dallas home, designer Cathy Kincaid transformed a small closet into a dual-purpose butler's pantry that serves as both a china and silver showcase and a beverage station.

best home bar ideas cathy kincaid veranda
James Merrell

Brews and Books

Reading is always better with a hot cup of coffee in hand. Take inspiration from designers Thomas O'Brien and Dan Fink, who repurposed a cabinet in the library of their Connecticut home to showcase their vintage glassware and drinkware collections. The chic storage space can also double as a serving station.

ver080117 085
Francesco Lagnese

Wallpaper Details

Wallpaper is a great way to add a bit of personality to your coffee bar, no matter how small or large it is. For the bar in her Manhattan apartment, design historian and author Maureen Footer chose a custom wallpaper inspired by the work of Armand-Albert Rateau, a French furniture and interior designer who helped popularize the Art Deco movement.

best home bar ideas maureen footer veranda
Melanie Acevedo

Keep It All Together

VERANDA's Editor in Chief Steele Marcoux notes that one of her favorite design choices for her Mountain Brook, Alabama, kitchen is that she allocated a specific cabinet for all her appliances. For the coffee bar section, she keeps a plentiful supply of mugs, ensuring she can always offer guests a cup when they visit.

a kitchen with a shelf full of dishes and a coffee maker
Steele Marcoux

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