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Coffee Bar needs something

last year

last modified: last year

My coffee bar is lacking. How can i make it more elegant/cozy?

Featured Answer

Jilly

last year

last modified: last year

I would tile or wallpaper it, then maybe add a shelf or shelves.

Lots more ideas searching ’built in coffee bar’, ’coffee bar shelves’, and other relative terms.

Search ’encaustic wallpaper’ if you’d prefer not to use real tile.

For more extensive changes, remove the cabinet above and add a sconce(s):

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Comments (18)

L A
last year
A backsplash?
mama goose_gw zn6OH
last year
An open shelf at 18" or a taller cabinet--something to fill the gap.
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Thanks for popping in Joseph...I searched and found more details you've posted before about those square tubes. Awesome! Lily'smom/oldbat - those side walls aren't actual measurements. I don't have those because that idea didn't occur to me, partly because there is an interior window on one of the walls. I would need to swing by the church to draw an accurate floorplan but I can try to explain with this old picture I found. The glass on the far left of this picture is the main entrance. The building is symmetrical so the window pictured above is also found on the other side but with the wall on the left and no interior window. The foyer area is small and there are about 100 people milling about getting coffee so there are folding tables set-up (no food) on either side in front of these windows. What I've been asked to do is come up with an affordable permanent solution for both sides. oldbat2be - I can't picture what you mean by a clear surface. I'm intrigued. Quick link or pic by what you mean? Thanks again for stopping in with your comments:)
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Additional ideas might come if I could see a wider area. However, initial thoughts are: move the coffee maker to the left corner so that the cable is mostly hidden behind it; put out a few coordinated mugs or cups, including one with teaspoons or stirrers, perhaps on a tray. The jar looks as though it contains dog biscuits; if so, replace them with cookies (and apologies if they are cookies). It is too small to be both a coffee and bar area, so I think it needs to be one or the other. That's not to say you can't put the coffee things away and replace them with glasses and bottles in the evening (or afternoon - I'm not one to judge). A bar prep area might have a small chopping board and knife with lemons and limes handy. Some napkins might be useful and could be decorative. Getting it nice is the creative part, but first think about what people need when they get coffee. Coffee pot, cups, milk and/or sugar or sweetener according to taste, a spoon, filters and coffee if they are thoughtful enough to refill the machine when its empty.
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Comments (19)
Denise - Are you aware that there is a chance that the countertops could be damaged and not able to be reused when you get new cabinets, and a near certainty that your backsplash will be damaged when you get new cabinets, as well? Maybe you've weighed the pros and cons, but this is not a gamble I would take. I'd save the money and do a full remodel when you can do everything at once. This ^^^^
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Lyn Nielson
last year
I agree with @Jilly tile/wallpaper and shelves.

and move the coffeemaker to IN FRONT of the electrical outlet.
gtdj519
last year
dont think you really need to add anyhring, but a tile / backspalsh in a decorative pattern would be really pretty
herbflavor
last year
last modified: last year
add a wood shelf . black gray and white give it a hard look. warm up the overall feel. thats all you need to do. One assumes the gray wall color extends everywhere so I dont know about doing something else in the little alcove there. If the issue of the gray paint comes up you can warm up your space with something nicer. its very gray and the counter has a nicer warmth to it.
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jaja06
last year
Agree with others… a shelf for sure, maybe a nice color/pattern wallpaper or tile, and I also think removing the cabinet will allow you to make the space a bit nicer overall with an extra shelf which would allow for more decor/personality rather than pure function.
Mandy L
Original Author
last year
I very much appreciate the feedback!!

More pics just to show the layout. i do have an extra shelf like above the sink. what do you all think? thanks so much for the help!!
Fori
last year
Another shelf to match the one over the sink would be pretty nice. You could still add something artsy.
sushipup2
last year
A framed piece of art, almost as large as the space, would look good. Something bright, colorful.
Oakley
last year
last modified: last year
Replace the wood tray with a large silver/metal tray. I've seen a lot of coffee bars with silver trays and it adds so much elegance.

Or a mirrored tray.
btydrvn
last year
In your kitchen bright color may feel wrong ….but the wood would add a warm homey feel to the room..using chunky shelf/s over coffee pot and sink will show better than the lightweight glass …and go with your wood accessories…as well
btydrvn
last year
Another shortcut that can be very decorative is cup hooks…handy…even a couple rows with different shaped white cups?…if you do expresso …small cups as well as regular coffee cups?
mainenell
last year
Adding a shelf and using those for the coffee cups instead of the “tree” would look much nicer. Why is there that tiny cabinet so high?
btydrvn
last year
The emptier the actual countertop is .. the more useful the space will be…..with two shelves .. for cups and condiments in matching containers … ..,.leaving only the pot on the counter… it will be a much more comfortable spot to prepare your coffee… or to even have a toaster if you use that regularly as well
btydrvn
last year
The tiny cabinet up high is really inaccessible for easy use… removing would be worth it to allow more space and easier access that the chunky open shelving offers
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Everything Home
last year
Maybe try a backsplash or wallpaper? If you want something less permanent you could try a piece of artwork you like. We have added some of our design portfolio images which might help you more.
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Tara
last year
If it's elegance you want, don't use the mugs - actual coffee cups (china) will up the elegance factor. If it's cozy you want, the ceramic mugs are fine. Elegance - mirrored tiles and floating shelves. Cozy - tile and wooden shelving.

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