Kitchen Design
Today’s Coffee Stations Have All Kinds of Perks
Some of these features are so over the top that they will give you a jolt
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 convenient and luxurious coffee accouterments 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 counter 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 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.
Counter: Linen, Caesarstone
Counter: Linen, Caesarstone
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.
Warming drawer: Miele
Warming drawer: Miele
Perk: Keurig K-Cup storage. If yours is more of a single-serve household, the cups can be pesky to keep organized. Inserts in the drawer closest to the machine let these homeowners keep the cups organized by brand and flavor.
Make it a grande: Curvaceous Nespresso capsule storage. This wood organizer 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 flavors to change the arcs of color. It’s practically espresso art.
Ripple Nespresso capsule holder: Urbanproduct
Ripple Nespresso capsule holder: Urbanproduct
Perk: Coordinating cafe art. A shot of cafe art can celebrate the coffee station without going too theme-y.
Make it a grande: A bistro-inspired coffee station as a focal point. This client’s love of coffee played an important role in the decor of his loft, and this large station can be seen from across the living room.
See the rest of this loft
Shelf: West Elm; marquee sign: Dot & Bo
See the rest of this loft
Shelf: West Elm; marquee sign: Dot & Bo
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 cream or 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.
Mini fridge: Smeg
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.
Mini fridge: Smeg
Make it a grande: A hidden refrigerator within reach. If you prefer a refrigerator that’s out of sight, a concealed refrigerated drawer is for you.
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.
Make it a grande: A coffeepot filler. I am firmly on the pro-pot 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 realize that having a built-in coffeepot filler 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.)
Make it a grande: An entire breakfast station. Keeping cereal, bowls, small plates, milk, juice, the toaster and the Pop-Tarts in one area can make it easier to navigate your morning with bleary eyes.
In terms of decadent coffee-making accouterments, I’ll take a coffeepot 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? Did I miss your favorite? Let us know in the Comments.
Read more on how to make amazing java and savor the experience
See coffee station finds from the Houzz Shop
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? Did I miss your favorite? Let us know in the Comments.
Read more on how to make amazing java and savor the experience
See coffee station finds from the Houzz Shop
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.