How to make your own coffee corner
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Making a morning coffee has become a calming ritual before my day starts. Choosing a bean, grinding a bean, fine-tuning the machine, frothing the milk… the process takes longer than ordering from the deli across the street but provides a few quiet moments before I jump into my day.
But when I created a little coffee corner in my home, I didn’t expect it to also be a hit with family friends. There hasn’t been a single visit where someone didn’t ask to see how the machines work, or smelled a strong cup brewing and asked for one, or even just marveled at the cozy set up. And with coffee corners popping up all over TikTok, this is definitely the moment for this small bit of morning self care.
Here are the best items to upgrade your coffee setup:
The best beginning to a custom coffee bar is fresh coffee. Starting out with your favorite beans and grinding them to just the right level is the key to making the most of what you have. This electric version is a fast way to get the experience without having a lofty do-all machine.
Keurig K-Express Essentials Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, $55
Trying to keep it simple? If you don’t need bells and whistles, this K-Cup single serving version takes up little room in tight counter space and makes as good a cup as the flavor you buy.
Stilosi espresso machine, $120
What those slim countertop machine do not excel in is a deep shot of espresso. So, for those who need a single or double shot, or want to use that as the base for a cappuccino or other drink, this is a quality machine.
Bialetti express 6-cup moka pot, $50
This is the little machine I grew up with, that my grandparents brought over from Italy and made coffee with their entire lives. It’s simple, but has started many a love affair with caffeine drinks. All you need for this little tin machine is water and finely ground beans. Place it over heat and in ten minutes you’ll have a deep espresso. And they last forever.
French press, $20
A french press works similarly to the moka pot above. It’s simple and makes a great deep roast. They also look beautiful on counters, and this design-friendly version from YIELD comes in a variety of colors for a little coffee corner that welcomes guests.
The way this little machine has changed my life is asstounding. I invested a few bucks into this slim frother after doing the math on my daily cappuccino runs. It was obviously a fast, economical way to create frothy drinks at home, but I did not expect the excitement on guests’ faces when I present them with cappuccinos in my own house.
Latte spoons, $10
If you’re ready to level up from the milk frother, a latte spoon will help you take your frothy drinks from lovely to incredible. This is the tool you see knowledgeable baristas on TikTok using to make foam creations on their coffees, and they are useful for kids hot chocolates, too.
Your new favorite mugs $28-$45
Mugs are becoming a quick go-to gift that does everything from double as a planter for small succulents to enhance a kitchen. Nice mugs can make or break a coffee corner. For a designer option, these Yowie Flower Low Mugs brighten tough mornings. For something a little more simple, you can pick from six pastel colors of these Hawkins New York Essential Stoneware Mugs. Both iced and hot coffees work in these chic Schoolhouse Amber Glass Mugs. If you’re going to grab a biscotti with your cafe, Blue Bottle Coffee and Kinto partnered on a beautiful cup and cookie plate combo.
Tea Pots, $33-$46
Whether you’re a tea drinker or not, the chances are a tea person will enter your home and ask for a hot cup over your choice of coffee. Luckily there’s no shortage of small tea pot options to set in your coffee corner. A little more aesthetically pleasing than your average teapot, Boden sells this glass stunner with its own infuser for your favorite leaves sans packet. Here’s a classic ceramic version that comes in black or white from Wayfair.
Barista-grade sauces and syrups, $5-$15
You’ll be shocked how much a simple sauce will increase the amount of drinks you can make. Sprinkle some chocolate sauce on top of a latte, or add caramel sauce to milk before frothing. The options are endless, but this caramel is at my coffee bar constantly.
Gold leaf/Coffee sparkles, $12-$25
For parties, events or just more delightful coffee time, the world of edible glitter has exploded onto the cafe scene. Whether you’re into Sur La Table’s new gold leaf flakes, fancy sprinkles for atop whipped cream and frothy coffees or shiny stir-in sparkles, these really wow even the worst coffee snobs.
Hot chocolate, $18
Another must-have hot drink for around the house is hot chocolate. With the addition of your favorite whipped cream and the sauces and sprinkles from above, La Parisienne Drinking Chocolate is a perfect family movie night treat. And don’t forget the marshmallows.
The Home Cafe book, $23
If you’re unsure where to start after your coffee corner is set up, this little book offers advice on tea and coffee drinks, including matcha, frothy beverages and hot and cold choices.
