Save For Later!

When entertaining, make your guests feel special by creating an inviting space, much like your favorite coffee shop. For inspiration, browse through these coffee bar ideas for your kitchen counter.

Even if you have a small kitchen, you can learn how to transform it to make entertaining a breeze and your guests feel pampered. Discover design tips, a list of essential tools, and creative ways to turn your kitchen counter into a cozy coffee haven.

four coffee bars that are on a kitchen counter. floating shelves with coffee essentials on them.

When hosting a gathering of friends for dinner, there is something truly special about the time spent lingering around the table, engaging in lively conversation while savoring the comforting flavors of coffee and dessert. For our family, it is not uncommon for our conversations to extend well beyond the initial meal. 

Benefits of Having a Coffee Bar When Entertaining

I have found the best way to create a relaxed evening that extends our conversations is to set up a coffee bar on our kitchen counter. I encourage our guests to feel at home and help themselves at our home’s countertop coffee bar. Having guests help themselves makes them feel like part of the family. 

A coffee bar lets guests create their perfect cup by personalizing their coffee with different combinations.

Entertaining Tips

If you are planning a get-together with friends, be sure to visit my Tips For Hosting A Dinner Party: What Are Good Conversation Starters?, Practicing A Biblical Hospitality Lifestyle: Honoring God and Loving Others, Creating Community: Bible Verses On Hospitality, and Practicing A Biblical Hospitality Lifestyle: Honoring God and Loving Others.

Setting Up Kitchen Coffee Bar

Don’t worry if you have a small kitchen. Setting up a coffee bar for your guests in small spaces is easy to do, and it’s the perfect place for guests to feel relaxed and welcomed. (some of our best conversations have been had hanging out in the kitchen).

Farmhouse Kitchen Coffee Station
DIY coffee bar ideas do not have to cost a lot of money. Install several bracketed shelves, then fill them with open glass jars for coffee fixings. Stack pretty coffee cups and coffee-making essentials in clear containers.  It's also a great idea to add a few cozy plants on the shelves to make this the perfect spot to start your morning coffee routine.  Fill trays with coffee condiments for easy access so guests can make their own coffee. Learn More
Pin It

Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Coffee Bar 

  • Water: The best location for a kitchen countertop coffee bar would ideally be near a source of water for easy access to fill the coffee maker or clean utensils.
  • Wall Plugs: It should also be close to an electrical outlet for the coffee maker and any other appliances you may use, such as a grinder or milk frother. 
  • Traffic Flow:  Consider placing it in an area that is easily accessible and doesn’t create any obstruction in the kitchen workflow. 
Corner Kitchen Coffee With Bar Floating Shelves
dark blue cabinets with beautiful white tile accented with floating shelves with all the coffee needs/ Expresso machine
An easy way to create a coffee station in a small kitchen is to tuck it in the corner. Add some floating shelves for pretty storage containers, coffee cups, and coffee-stirring tools.  Be sure to have a small bucket for used coffee grounds when guests make expresso. Learn More
Pin It

10 Tips For Organizing Your Coffee Bar Supplies and Equipment 

When entertaining, you will want to freshen up and stock your coffee bar area, keeping in mind that guest might want some items for their coffee that you do not have on your kitchen countertop coffee bar. 

  • Start by decluttering: Remove any unnecessary items from your counter space. Only keep the essentials that you use regularly for your coffee bar.
  • Use hanging hooks: Utilize hooks or hanging baskets on the walls or underside of shelves to store mugs, cups, and small tools like spoons or straws.
  • Invest in a tiered tray: A tiered tray can help maximize vertical space and allow you to display and access different supplies easily.
  • Use stackable containers: Store coffee beans, sugar, and other supplies in clear, stackable containers to save space and keep everything organized.
  • Utilize magnetic strips: Install a magnetic strip on the wall to hold knives, scissors, or other magnetic-friendly coffee bar tools and utensils.
  • Use a tray or caddy: Place a small tray or caddy on the counter to corral frequently used items like coffee filters, creamers, and stirrers.
  • Install a floating shelf: Consider installing a floating shelf above your coffee bar area to store extra supplies and equipment, like a coffee grinder or extra mugs.
  • Provide a place for trash: Place a small can for trash. Your guest will want to easily dispose of stirring sticks, sweetener packets, or used K-cups.
  • Hang a small spice rack: Hang a wall-mounted spice rack or shelf to hold small coffee flavorings, syrups, or sweeteners is helpful in a small space. 
    Use labeled containers: Label different containers or jars to clearly indicate the contents, making it easy to find what you need quickly. 

Coffee Bar Accessories and Gadgets When Entertaining

With a few coffee essentials, you can create the warm feel of your favorite coffee house.

1. Coffee grinder: A high-quality grinder allows guests to enjoy freshly ground coffee, enhancing the aroma and flavor of their cup.
2. Milk frother: Perfect for creating lattes, cappuccinos, or other milk-based beverages, a frother can provide that extra special touch to your guests’ coffee.
3. Coffee scale: Precise measurements ensure consistency in brewing and allow you to achieve the perfect coffee-to-water ratio for each guest.
4. Pour-over coffee set: This includes a pour-over dripper, filters, and a gooseneck kettle, allowing you to brew delicious pour-over coffee for your guests right at your coffee bar station.
5. French Press:  Guests might like to use a French press because it allows them to have control over the brewing process and ensures a rich and flavorful cup of coffee. 

Coffee Bar Accessories For a Coffee Station

Coffee Syrup Dispenser with Labels

Coffee Station Organizer

​Coffee Bar Ideas For A Kitchen Counter

Less Is More Kitchen Coffee Bar
This simple open-shelf concept for a kitchen counter coffee bar creates a spacious and functional space, perfect for hosting a large group of friends. The open shelves create extra counter space and serve as a display for favorite home decor items. Learn More
Pin It
Multi Functional Coffee Bar
kitchen counter with coffee bar, coffee machine, jars for syrups, cups, mugs, and coffee tools.
If you do not have a lot of space in your kitchen, then a multi-purpose in-home coffee bar is what you need. When guests arrive, this sitting area can be transformed into a coffee bar station perfect for gathering. When setting up a coffee bar for your friends and family, remember you do not have to have a dedicated coffee station but can create one quickly by transforming a simple space. Move your coffee pot to the side and set out syrups, jars of tea bags, hot water pot, creamers, and sweeteners. Learn More
Pin It
Coffee Station Focal Point
kitchen counter with coffee bar, coffee machine, jars for syrups, cups, mugs, and coffee tools.
Tuck your coffee bar station between cabinet doors on your kitchen counter for a beautiful focal point. This is a great place to highlight some of your favorite items to show case your design style. Give it a personal touch by displaying your favorite mug you bought on vacation, special pictures of your family, or encouraging framed scripture quotes to start your morning routine. Learn More
Pin It
Inexpensive Shelves Create Classy Coffee Station
kitchen counter with coffee bar, coffee machine, jars for syrups, cups, mugs, and coffee tools.
This DIY coffee station is a great way for renters to make their own coffee station to suit their style. Using big box store shelves with brackets creates inexpensive and removable when-needed shelving options. Paint the shelves and brackets in a classic color matching your cabinets. This is also a good choice if you need plenty of storage space for a small coffee station. Learn More
Pin It
Modern DIY Coffee Station
kitchen counter with coffee bar, coffee machine, jars for syrups, cups, mugs, and coffee tools.
This DIY contemporary coffee station will transform any kitchen countertop into a stylish coffee station. There is plenty of room for an espresso machine, a Karig coffee machine, and a milk frother. Use the shelves to place easy-to-reach coffee mugs, a jar of coffee pods, and favorite syrups. If you are starting with a blank wall, be sure to browse this complete home coffee station makeover. They share step-by-step how-to. Learn More
Pin It
Coffee Bar Ideas For Hosting
kitchen counter with coffee bar, coffee machine, jars for syrups, cups, mugs, and coffee tools.
Open shelving looks great with this coffee area beadboard backdrop. Your coffee nook only needs space for cups and coffee supplies. Using pretty clear containers is a fun way to help your overnight guests find exactly what they need to make their morning brew.  Learn More
Pin It
Gorgeous Wallpaper Coffee Station
kitchen counter with coffee bar, coffee machine, jars for syrups, cups, mugs, and coffee tools. beautiful wallpaper in the background.
Make your kitchen counter coffee bar go from dull to wow with the simple addition of bold pattern wallpaper. This low-budget DIY project is perfect for a weekend refresh of your coffee station. Any coffee lover will enjoy feeling like they are at a fancy coffee shop when you serve them coffee and dessert. A coffee corner tucked under a kitchen cabinet is easy to create with a few simple supplies and organizing tips. My big tip, remove the cabinet door, paint the shelves and apply some gorgius wallpaper on the back. Learn More
Pin It

Save For Later!