Aesthetically Enhance Your Caffeinating Experience
Skip those long lines and expensive prices at coffee shops and make it at home! I've been doing this for years and I'm never going out for coffee again - I promise you it's worth it.
Whenever I go to coffee shops, I’m disappointed with what I receive. I love and prefer the way I prepare my own at home.
For one, it is far cheaper! I can’t believe what all of these coffee shops are charging. I’m not interested in paying upwards of 5 bucks for a fancy drink that I could have made myself for a minimal cost.
And not to mention the quality of ingredients they use – they are filled with far more sugar than you think and preservatives that I personally don’t want to put in my body. I’m constantly shocked at the amount of sugar and calories that are in one drink. I’m not looking for a meal in a cup – thanks but no thanks.
And let’s not forget to mention the cleanliness status of the coffee maker at these places. I’ve worked in shops and restaurants that served coffee, and I wouldn’t want to drink it after seeing what’s growing inside of them. They certainly don’t get sanitized enough. Some shops think that if they raise the temperature of the water running through them, that it’ll kill everything in it. I think not. Then, your beverage ends up tasting burnt. Absolutely not worth spending any money on. I also like to be able to drink my coffee within a few minutes after receiving it without burning the life out of my entire mouth.
Making coffee at home is the only way I like it now because I use high quality ingredients and machines that I maintain myself.
Another tidbit is that I know how much caffeine I’m getting when I make it myself. I’ve seen that some places sell drinks with upwards of 200mg of caffeine in them. Yikes!
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Now, I know everyone doesn’t have the space for a full-on home coffee bar, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with your space and make a mini area of aromatic bliss happen.
Let's Make Your Kitchen Glow!
Here is a carefully crafted collection of the essentials for your home coffee bar – and then some is you’re interested in spicing things up to the next level!
An Assortment of Mugs - Try telling a woman she has too many.
Colorful Mugs
The boho girl inside me loves a splash of color with fun patterns, especially when it comes to functional decor. I believe the best way to add fun and life to your home is through your decor and kitchen supplies. With these mugs, no one will be accidentally stealing your hot and tasty beverage.
Nautical Mugs
Embrace the coastal vibes, wherever you are! I always wish I was at the beach, so using these mugs gives me a little dopamine boost as I forget that I live in upstate NY. Having mis-matchy mugs is great for ensuring you’re hot and tasty beverage doesn’t get sipped by someone else.
I also love having these simple, yet classy white mugs. For one, there is no such thing as too many mugs. And two, they look so nice displayed when I mix and match all the colors and designs on the wall hanger. Talk about functional decor for the win.
Let's not forget about space saving mug holders!
Sleek Mug Tree Holder
A mug holder tree is one of my favorite additions because I can move it to where I need it depending on the occasion. I just set this tree right on the counter next to a fresh brew so guests can serve themselves. I even put it right in the middle of the dining table after a delicious meal so my company can have the option of a hot cup-o-delightfulness.
Stackable Mugs and Saucers With a Holder
If you’re a fan of having a saucer under your mug, this set is perfect! I love how much space it saves on my counter, or even in the cabinet. It makes me feel so fancy when I use a saucer. Tea and biscuits anyone? What’s great about them is that you can also use the saucers to put a croissant on them, or whatever food you’d like.
Now let's talk space saving shelves, jars, and cannisters!
Floating Shelves
I love a beautiful wood floating shelf. The raw element of wood helps tie your design together. They say to have three element is all designs – so here is your wood, your appliances and fixture are another, then your stone accents on your countertop are another. Vertical storage is forever functional, and when I can use it to display something, I pull out my creative hat!
Stackble Shelves
If you do or don’t have the counter space, these shelves are entirely useful. I’ve moved them around my kitchen from the way I store my plates, to my spices, then landed on storing my coffee, tea, and sugar jars on them. I also have a cute little pour jar for creamer sitting on it next to my favorite mug – it’s red with a funky shape and says “love bug” on it, from my love.
Honey Jar
Having a honey jar with a dispensing wand has been a total game changer. The jar is so cute to leave out on the coffee bar shelf as a decoration. Before I use it, I like to warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds for optimal drizzling. It comes in handy when I want to drizzle honey on my salmon, or fresh baked bread!
Creamer Pitcher
The second I saw these creamer pitchers, I knew I had to have them. The color of them goes so well with my coastal kitchen vibes, even though I’m in upstate NY. I am a firm believer of installing the proper color scheme in your kitchen and home to combat the dreary, cloudy winter days. These pitchers really do it for me. Plus, I love half and half.
Cannisters
Fresh ground coffee and whole tea leave make the most flavorful drinking experience. I buy a bag of coffee beans, grind up a portion of them, then store them in the canister. I’ll bet you haven’t experienced this level of flavor bomb until you grind your own beans and brew them at home. Or growing your own herbs to make the best tea ever. It’s an embodiment of flavor and experience. These canisters keep my fresh found coffee beans and tea leaves nice and fresh. An added bonus is the sugar canister for those cane sugar lovers.
If you aren't grinding your own beans - you should be!
Do yourself a flavor
Grinding whole coffee beans makes for an entirely different experience than store bought ground beans – that are often a blend from different origins.
Give your taste buds a flavor bomb by switching out your favorite brand of ground for whole beans and grinding them up yourself! My favorite is Gevalia because it has such a bold, rich flavor that I can’t get enough of.
I promise you won’t be missing the coffee shop after this change! There is nothing life fresh ground beans right from your own home.
My favorite way to prepare them is in my French Press, but a traditional coffee maker, or even a Keurig with a reusable pod works too!
You can simply store the fresh grounds in your cannister with a lid on the counter, or even in the freezer for optimal freshness.
On to small things that make a big difference.
Handheld Frother
With cream comes the need for a frother! This little tool has surprised me with how well it froths up my creamer. I don’t even froth the cream separately – i just put it in the whole coffee. It works great for mixing up protein powder too. Sometimes I like to use my frother to mix half and half with chocolate protein powder in my coffee for a little extra boost and it tastes amazing. So smooth and creamy, plus it comes in so many fun colors!
Small Spoons
I know I’m not the only one that is totally obsessed with rainbow dishes. Every time I pull these beautiful spoons out, I get a lot of compliments. There’s something about colorful things and fun shapes that just makes people happy. Bring a little playfulness to your kitchen! Serve your desert with these spoons to level up your treat.
Tea Kettle
If you’re a loose-leaf tea lover, this kettle is for you! It has a removable infuser so you can control the strength of your tea. It’s also microwave and stovetop safe, for when you need a little warm up. I love putting my own fresh herbs in it!
Hot Water Kettle
Having an electric hot water kettle that boils water in 3 minutes has made using my French Press and tea kettle much more convenient. I don’t always want to turn on my stove to heat up water, and microwaved water is inferior.
Must have appliances.
Ninja Coffee Maker
If you’re old fashioned and not impressed by a French Press, this coffee maker is a good choice for you. It’s one step up from your traditional machine because you can set the brew time. My boyfriend swears by this style of coffee maker. It creates much better flavor than the Keurig, so he will set it up the night before for me to be brewed by 5am. I’m personally too forgetful to remember to do this.
Keurig
A Keurig with forever be popular for its convenience. I will admit that I do use this the most often for my busy mornings when I have to be out the door very early. I could wake up earlier, but I’m not going to, so I use this and am not disappointed with the quality. I have the refillable pod, so I can save some bucks on K-cup, but I do use K-cups a lot, too.
French Press
Using a French Press is my favorite way to brew coffee. The depth of flavor it accomplishes is incredible. A traditional coffee pot cannot do what this can do. You can put as many or few grounds in it that you want and steep it for as long as you want. A French Press also makes some superior cold brew! I actually have two of these, because I like to do one batch of hot for right now and one batch of cold brew for later.
We can't forget about decor!
But First Coffee - Wall Hanging Mug Holder
I went over to my best friend’s house after she rehabbed her kitchen and made room for a coffee bar and immediately knew I needed this coffee mug hanger. I love utilizing vertical storage – even though I’m vertically challenged. This wall mug hanger is the perfect mix of wall art meets functionality! I’ve thought about customizing some white mugs to make it even more fun and decorative.
Love is Brewing Sign
No coffee bar is complete with a sign. This one is so simple and pretty with farmhouse vibes – plus it says love is brewing! Hang this above your coffee maker and share a delicious fresh brew with the ones you love!
Retro Vibes Hot Coffee Shop Sign
Brighten your decor up a bit with this fun retro sign! Life’s too short to skip coffee and pass on playful decorations! take a trip back in time to when diners had good coffee, yet that diner is your home.
Coffee Till Cocktails Sign
If you want something to set on a shelf or counter, this sign is perfect -and the saying is true some days! Just picture a beautiful Saturday morning, sitting outside on some cozy chairs soaking up the warm sun while sipping coffee until it’s time to liven up the day with a cocktail.
And lastly, a candle and plants to bring it all together.
Coffee Scented Candle
No space is complete without a candle! This one smells so amazing that I burn it at all hours of the day, because who doesn’t love the smell of coffee especially with a hint of brandy? This pairs well with the coffee till cocktails sign.
Three Live Plants
Indoor plants always make a home more inviting. This set of 3 live house plants would liven up your coffee bar shelves. I believe you can’t just have one – so here’s 3! If you have three shelves, you can put one on each of them, or spread them around your kitchen. Definitely don’t opt out for the fake ones – real one’s aid in cleansing the air and they’re more low maintenance than you think!