Not everyone has the luxury of having extra space in their kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build your own perfect home coffee bar! Building a DIY coffee bar in a small space is not only possible, but it can actually be really fun.
We’ve seen the smallest setups in the tiniest corners, so regardless of how little room you’re working with, we promise it’s possible. Whether it be a single floating shelf in a narrow hallway or a reused bar cart that goes with the flow of any room that it’s in, there’s too many options to count.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the best DIY coffee bar small space ideas. And if you enjoy this post, you should definitely check out this one as well, which is all about floating shelf coffee bar ideas!
This blog post is all about DIY coffee bar ideas for small spaces.
Why a DIY Coffee Bar Is the Perfect Small Space Solution
First, let’s talk about why DIY is genuinely one of the smartest approaches when you’re working with a small space.
You get complete control over the aesthetic: the size, the color, the hardware, and the styling. All of it is yours to decide. Personally, we think small space DIY coffee bars often look more intentional than the store-bought setups because every single decision was made specifically for your space.
Plan Your DIY Coffee Bar Before You Build It
1. Measure your space
This is one of your most important steps! You need to measure your space and get its width, height, AND depth. Yes, you need all three dimensions. We cannot say this enough. The number of people who skip this step and end up with a shelf that’s two inches too short is staggering. Grab a measuring tape and jot down the numbers before you do anything.
2. Decide on your setup
Think about what type of setup you want for your coffee bar: wall-mounted, freestanding, or counter-top based. This decision will be dependent on your own space. Of course, if you don’t have any countertop space but you have a nice empty wall, then go with a floating shelf. If you can’t drill, go freestanding, and so on.
3. Find your nearest outlet
This is another tip that you don’t want to skip. Unfortunately, people always forget until it’s too late. Your coffee machine will, more than likely, need electricity, so your DIY coffee bar needs to be within the reach of an outlet. If it’s not, you should start planning to need an extension cord or power strip from the beginning. If you plan on having a bar cart, this becomes a little easier as you can move it to the closest or most convenient outlet.
4. Think about your coffee habits
Your setup needs to be able to work for you and your daily coffee habits. This means you really want to ask yourself some basic questions. Do you make one cup at a time or a full pot? Do you use an espresso machine or a drip coffee maker? Would you use a Keurig? Try to see what would work best for you.
5. Figure out your aesthetic or color scheme before buying anything
Before you buy anything, make sure you pick your aesthetic or color scheme. There are plenty of ideas and options, such as modern, farmhouse, dark and moody, boho, cozy cottage, and more. Go check out Pinterest and search up some coffee bar aesthetics and find your favorite that ALSO works with your small space.
The Best DIY Coffee Bar Ideas for Small Spaces
1. The Floating Shelf Coffee Bar
This might be the most popular small space DIY coffee bar solution, and for a very good reason: you don’t need any existing countertop space. It works in the tiniest of kitchens. All you need is an area of your wall that you can access, and you’re good.
Buy one or two shelves, paint them if you want, and mount them on the wall. You can add hooks underneath for mugs, and all of a sudden you have a coffee station that looks like it was meant to be there.
2. The Repurposed Bar Cart
If you want a DIY coffee bar small space solution that doesn’t require any building whatsoever, a bar cart is your answer. Style it with a machine on top, accessories in the middle, and extra storage at the bottom.
You now have a coffee station that can be moved anywhere you want and tuck it away when you don’t need it. If you want to customize it, all you need to do is paint it and add some new hardware.
3. The Cabinet Coffee Bar Conversion
This option is a little more complicated, but also worth it. It’s perfect for anyone who has the extra cabinet space and wants their coffee setup completely hidden when it’s not in use. Add a power strip inside an unused cabinet, style the shelf with all your coffee goodies and accessories, and close the doors.
No one would ever know that you have a full coffee station setup nearby.
4. The Corner Countertop SetupĀ
The corner countertop setup is a classic because of its simplicity. This DIY coffee bar small space solution takes one corner of your existing counter and turns it into your dedicated coffee space. All you need is a tray, your coffee machine, a canister, a mug or two, and a cute piece of decor. No building or tools required.
5. The IKEA Hack Coffee Bar
IKEA pieces like the KALLAX unit, the LACK shelf, and the RASKOG cart are some of the best DIY coffee bar small space bases that you can find. They’re affordable, minimal, and they’re super easy to customize. And one of the best parts about hacking together IKEA pieces is that there’s a huge online community out there that you can learn from.
If you’re interested in this idea, we actually have a whole post dedicated specifically to these ideas, so you should definitely check it out!
6. The Repurposed Furniture Coffee Bar
This is one of our favorite options because we truly believe in that old saying of, “they don’t make ’em like they used to” when it comes to products, especially furniture. Thrift stores are absolute goldmines for these pieces.
Almost any furniture piece can become a beautiful DIY coffee bar with a coat of chalk paint and intentional styling: an old dresser, a small side table, or even a narrow buffet. If you’re someone that loves a little bit of character and uniqueness, this is a great option for you.
How Much Does a DIY Coffee Bar for a Small Space Actually Cost?
Under $30
This example setup is super friendly to minimalists and renters. To keep it under $30, you can start with a nice peel-and-stick wallpaper backdrop for about $15, a small freestanding shelf or tray for $10-15, and then you have a complete DIY coffee bar small space setup for under $30 total.
This is a perfect way to start if you’re unsure about what direction you want to go.
$30-$75
For this price range, we’re going to give you an example of a floating shelf setup. A LACK shelf from IKEA starts at around $15, chalk paint for about $15, and then some accessories for $30-40 will put you into the $60-70 range for a wall-mounted setup that is custom and stunning.
$75-$150
Let’s take the price range up a little higher for a full DIY build. A KALLAX unit or a bar cart at $30-60, paint and hardware upgrades for $20-30, and all the accessories you need for $40-60 puts you somewhere between $90 and $150 for a complete DIY coffee bar that could easily pass for something custom built.
Common DIY Coffee Bar Mistakes to Avoid in Small Spaces
1. Not measuring before buying
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make. It’s probably the most expensive mistake on this list. A shelf that doesn’t fit is a shelf that you have to return. Whether it be in gas money spent or money spending it back, you’re definitely going to waste money by not measuring first.
2. Ignoring where your outlet is
Not taking note of wherever your outlet is until after everything is done is a close second in expensive mistakes. Always know where your nearest outlet is before you commit to a location.
3. Adding too many decor items
Over-styling and creating clutter is something we all do. But especially in a small space, less is more. Three things you love look better than ten things that you feel neutral about. Don’t add decor just to add decor.
4. Buying everything at once
Buying everything at once is another error that people tend to make, especially when they’re being inpatient. Doing this before you know what you actually need is a fast way to waste money. Start with the basics. Live with that for a week or so, and then add from there. There’s no need to get everything at once. It’s not a race.
5. Choosing aesthetics over function
If you’re a fellow Pinterest girly, then this might be an easy trap to fall into. I hate to say it, but functionality is way more important than having a cute setup. Your coffee bar has to work every single morning, not just look good in pictures. Make sure it actually works for how you like to enjoy your coffee before you worry about how it photographs.
Your Perfect Small Space Coffee Bar Is Closer Than You Think
The most important thing to take away from all of this is that you don’t need a big space, a big budget, or a lot of DIY experience to build a coffee bar that you genuinely love and enjoy. You just need an empty wall or one unused corner, and a little bit of creativity.
The most beautiful coffee bars aren’t always the biggest ones or the ones that are aesthetically perfect. They’re the ones that add a little something to your day-to-day life, that bit of joy that everyone needs to start their day.
This blog post was all about DIY coffee bar ideas for small spaces.
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