Home-Brewed Coffee Stations to Perk You Right Up
Check out the over-the-top features in some of these home coffee stations, set to give you a jolt first thing
Whenever a designer mentions a coffee station, I bubble up like an electric percolator. For those of us who are not morning people, it’s important that coffee be as easy to prepare as possible. But this seen-it-all design writer, pot-filler lover and coffee-station cheerleader was surprised by just how explicitly convenient and luxurious coffee accoutrements have become. We are about one step away from being able to brew the perfect cup via Jedi mind tricks, or by using The Secret. Here are some of the best new perks, in the single-shot and high-octane versions.
Make it a grande: a built-in espresso appliance
Of course, having a fancy espresso maker built in to your kitchen is the high-octane version of design. And if bench space nearby is tight, you don’t have to worry; you can disguise a clever pullout tray as a drawer or panel right beneath it.
Of course, having a fancy espresso maker built in to your kitchen is the high-octane version of design. And if bench space nearby is tight, you don’t have to worry; you can disguise a clever pullout tray as a drawer or panel right beneath it.
Perk: a mug drawer
While many people stash the coffee vessels in a cabinet or on open shelves over the coffee machine, this design makes the most of today’s ever-evolving deep drawers. The drawer is outfitted with a nonslip liner to prevent the mugs from jostling or getting chipped. These java-loving residents are never without a mug within reach of the espresso machine.
While many people stash the coffee vessels in a cabinet or on open shelves over the coffee machine, this design makes the most of today’s ever-evolving deep drawers. The drawer is outfitted with a nonslip liner to prevent the mugs from jostling or getting chipped. These java-loving residents are never without a mug within reach of the espresso machine.
Make it a grande: a mug warming drawer
When I first saw this, I thought, “OK, now I am certain they’ve run out of ideas that could possibly make life easier.” But I do love a Corona served in a frozen mug on a hot day, so I guess that’s analogous to the warm mug on a cold morning. These drawers even come in different sizes.
When I first saw this, I thought, “OK, now I am certain they’ve run out of ideas that could possibly make life easier.” But I do love a Corona served in a frozen mug on a hot day, so I guess that’s analogous to the warm mug on a cold morning. These drawers even come in different sizes.
Perk: built-in pod storage
If yours is more of a single-serve household, loose coffee pods can be pesky to keep organised. Inserts in the drawer closest to the machine let these homeowners keep the pods organised by brand and flavour.
If yours is more of a single-serve household, loose coffee pods can be pesky to keep organised. Inserts in the drawer closest to the machine let these homeowners keep the pods organised by brand and flavour.
Make it a grande: curvaceous Nespresso capsule storage
This wood organiser is sized just right for Nespresso capsules. Use it in a drawer or hang it on the wall – it comes in different species of wood, and you can switch up the flavours to change the arcs of colour. It’s practically espresso art.
This wood organiser is sized just right for Nespresso capsules. Use it in a drawer or hang it on the wall – it comes in different species of wood, and you can switch up the flavours to change the arcs of colour. It’s practically espresso art.
Perk: coordinating cafe art
A shot of cafe art can celebrate the coffee station without going too theme-y.
See a collection of cafe-style kitchens
A shot of cafe art can celebrate the coffee station without going too theme-y.
See a collection of cafe-style kitchens
Perk: a refrigerator within reach
If you’re a black-coffee person, this perk will mean nothing to you, and you don’t need it. But if you prefer milk in your coffee, having a fridge handy is a treat.
This coffee station is a big perk in itself, since it’s located within a master suite. There’s no need to leave the bedroom for coffee in this household.
If you’re a black-coffee person, this perk will mean nothing to you, and you don’t need it. But if you prefer milk in your coffee, having a fridge handy is a treat.
This coffee station is a big perk in itself, since it’s located within a master suite. There’s no need to leave the bedroom for coffee in this household.
Perk: an adjacent sink
A sink to fill the carafe adjacent to the machine is a big luxury. The fewer steps you have to take before caffeine intake, the less chance of stubbing a toe.
A sink to fill the carafe adjacent to the machine is a big luxury. The fewer steps you have to take before caffeine intake, the less chance of stubbing a toe.
Make it a grande: an automatic coffee machine filler
I am firmly on the pro auto water filler side of the debate that arises whenever we feature one, but even I thought this was ridiculous … at first. I don’t know about you, but I always wind up spilling water when filling the coffee maker from the carafe, and the sprayer from my sink is too far away to fill it that way. After an initial snicker, I realise that having a built-in water reservoir filler for my coffee machine would be a wonderful splurge.
I am firmly on the pro auto water filler side of the debate that arises whenever we feature one, but even I thought this was ridiculous … at first. I don’t know about you, but I always wind up spilling water when filling the coffee maker from the carafe, and the sprayer from my sink is too far away to fill it that way. After an initial snicker, I realise that having a built-in water reservoir filler for my coffee machine would be a wonderful splurge.
Perk: muffins nearby
Having something handy to dunk is always a perk. (This is a nice way to set up a station for guests in the morning, but will probably attract bugs and rodents if you leave it out the night before.)
Having something handy to dunk is always a perk. (This is a nice way to set up a station for guests in the morning, but will probably attract bugs and rodents if you leave it out the night before.)
Make it a grande: an entire breakfast station
Keeping cereal, bowls, small plates, milk, juice, the toaster and bread in one area can make it easier to navigate your morning with bleary eyes.
Browse more coffee (and tea) making appliances
Keeping cereal, bowls, small plates, milk, juice, the toaster and bread in one area can make it easier to navigate your morning with bleary eyes.
Browse more coffee (and tea) making appliances
In terms of decadent coffee-making accoutrements, I’ll take a coffee machine filler over a mug warming drawer any day, but that’s me.
TELL US
Do you have a caffeination station? Which perks make you think, “I could use that,” and which made you shake your head at the ridiculousness? Let us know in the Comments.
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See more lifestyle stories on Houzz
TELL US
Do you have a caffeination station? Which perks make you think, “I could use that,” and which made you shake your head at the ridiculousness? Let us know in the Comments.
MORE
See more lifestyle stories on Houzz
OK, let’s get real for a second. Having a little coffee station is luxurious in itself. And all you need is enough space to keep the coffee maker, grinder for whole-bean types, coffee, mugs and sweeteners stored close together near an electric outlet.
But enough with the common-sense coffee-station talk. Let’s get to the array of other perks available – because the best part of waking up might just be knowing that your mug is in a warming drawer.
Home brewing tips for the perfect cup