Everyone wants a cute coffee bar setup, but it can get so expensive. This blog post will show you some of the cutest coffee bar decor ideas without stretching your wallet too thin!
We get it. We all see those fancy coffee bar setups that everyone on social media seems to have. They are absolutely gorgeous, but not everyone has the money to drop over $500 on their coffee bar setup – and that’s okay!
That’s where we come in with this blog post. We’re put together a list of cute AND affordable coffee bar decor that won’t completely break the bank.
If you enjoy this blog post, then you should check out this one, which is all about the best coffee bar items.
This blog post is all about coffee bar decor.
Affordable Coffee Bar Decor
1. Coffee bar cart
First up, if you don’t have the space on a countertop, then the most logical next decision would be to start looking for a bar cart. Of course, there are plenty of gorgeous, expensive bar carts out there, but you don’t need those! There are plenty of cheaper alternatives that you could use, especially if you have the space. Instead of buying one, make sure you don’t have any piece of decor that could double as one, such as an older bookcase that you no longer use.
There’s nothing that a fresh coat of paint can’t fix if you’re worried that it may not look its best. If you truly don’t have anything you could reuse, then I would suggest you check thrift stores first. While you’re looking, get creative with it. Even if the cart wasn’t necessarily made for coffee, you can repurpose it, throw some paint on it and make it your own! If you want to be frugal, you have to be a little creative.
Lastly, if you need to purchase from an actual store, IKEA has these great utility carts that would work perfectly as a coffee bar cart.
2. Glass containers
Another important item on your coffee bar decor list is where to store all your essentials, like coffee pods, sugars, and more. First up, we always search for anything that you may already have that’s reusable. Do you have any glass jars? They could be old jam jars or even empty candle jars. Clean those out, remove any adhesives, and you’re ready to reuse them.
If you don’t have anything you can reuse, then you can get some pretty cheap glass containers at the local Dollar General, Dollar Tree – whatever Dollar store that you might have in your area. IKEA is another great option that has cheap items that people tend to forget about. If you want to buy online, you can check out places like Walmart, who sell mason jars for cheap.
If they’re sold out online, you can definitely find them in-store as well. Be warned that since mason jars are popular now for their aesthetic, some places try to upsell them at silly costs. After you have your glass containers, you can label them with stickers. If you have a printer, I would say grab some printer paper with sticker labels, but if you’re into the chalkboard aesthetic, Michaels always has some really great deals, like these stickers right here.
3. Coffee mugs & cups
Don’t get me wrong, I love those adorable cups from Anthropologie as much as the next girl, but it’s okay if it’s not in your budget! You don’t need a new mug or coffee cup every month, and if you do, you need to look into some cheaper options. The best, cheap options come from your typical stores like TJMaxx and Ross, if you have stores like that near you.
Another great option is always the thrift store closest to you. There’s definitely some cute options online, but a lot of them are going to be in the price range of $10-20. But there are places, like Amazon, where you can get more bang for your buck and buy a few iced coffee cups with straws and cleaners, like this.
4. Wall decor or art
Adding some art pieces to your coffee bar area can really upgrade the entire space. If you want to add a piece or two, I would suggest something that you could print off. Maybe you could get a little creative and create your own sign in Canva, or you could get a really nice piece off of Etsy. Depending on your situation and the size of the art, you could use different places to print it off. In general, I would recommend Printify or Costco to print art.
Costco always has some amazing deals. Once you have your print, you would want to look for a frame. If you can reuse a frame, that’s amazing. If you can’t, I would suggest looking at thrift stores or garage sales when possible. You can really find some amazing, well-made frames at garage sales and thrift stores. If you need to order it online, I would suggest looking at Walmart or IKEA.
5. Lighting
Lighting is a perfect way to add some coziness to your coffee corner – or a great way to be able to fix your coffee in the early mornings when it’s still dark out. Regardless of why you want to add some lighting, I would suggest fairy lights. These are a great option because they tend not to overwhelm an area, which is important in such a small space as a coffee bar, and they can also come very cheap. You can find them easily online like here. But you can also find them for very cheap at stores like Walmart, Michaels, and more. You can probably find them at their cheapest, right after Christmas when all lights come on sale.
6. Cake stands
Another small piece of affordable decor that can upgrade your coffee bar setup is a cake stand, or something similar. Do you have any cake or plant stands that you could reuse? These are perfect for displaying your favorite mugs, seasonal decor, or even small plants. There are multiple different kinds, including ones with one, two, and even three levels, depending on how much you want to display and how big your coffee bar is. As always, thrifting will yield you the cheapest results, but you can also get them at places like Walmart or World Market.
7. Greenery
Speaking of plants, adding one is a great way to bring some more natural elements into your coffee bar decor. Depending on what your style is, you can opt for the small, potted plant that would fit nicely on your cake stand, if you have one. A mini succulent would work perfectly, and you can pick those up for super cheap at somewhere like Home Depot.
If you want to go larger because you love a good plant, then you could get a pothos plant. It’s usually around $4-10 for small pots. They’re super easy to care for, thrive in low light, and look really good trailing over shelves or mugs. Just a warning, though, pothos are toxic to animals. So if you have a furry friend, please opt for a fake one or another plant that won’t make them sick.
8. Signs
If you want to get cutesy with your coffee bar, there are plenty of affordable options that you can use to get creative. There are plenty of printable sign ideas on Etsy for $1-3. You could also use Canva, create them yourself, and print them for cheap. You can print them at home if you have a printer or print them for cheap at Walmart, Walgreens, Staples, or Costco.
If you’re not really in touch with your creative side, you can additionally grab a ready-made sign at your local Dollar Tree or General for under $3. Additionally, you can shop online and grab some cute signs like this. If you want to bring some serious coffee house vibes, you can grab a mini chalkboard sign or even a chalkboard decal, and write your own little “menu” for the day on it. Pick whatever picks your decor style and vibe!
9. Coffee machine
Last, but not least, we have the focal point of any coffee bar: the coffee machine. I like to think of your coffee machine as the most important functional decor piece of your coffee bar. Although there are plenty of gorgeous, new coffee machines coming out regularly, you truly don’t need them. First off, it depends on what kind of coffee that you like.
The purpose of buying a coffee machine is that you’re able to enjoy the drinks that you like at home instead of going out and spending money. If you don’t buy a machine that makes the coffees that you prefer, then it is a total waste. Ask yourself if you enjoy regular coffee or espresso-based coffees, like lattes or flat whites. If you’re into regular coffee, the best overall drip coffee maker for a smaller budget would be the Hamilton Beach 2-way. You can use a K-cup with this or the pot.
If you’re looking for a machine that makes more espresso-style coffees, then I would suggest the De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine. This is still not a super cheap option, but compared to its $500 counterparts, it’s less expensive. And if you’re still looking for something even cheaper, I would suggest a French press. These are usually around $20-30, and they make strong, excellent coffee and last a long time.
