Thinking through coffee bar ideas for an office can get frustrating when you want something inviting but don’t have much space or time to maintain it.
Most coffee bar ideas look nice in photos, but don’t always work as busy breakrooms or shared workspaces with limited outlets and storage.
You might have tried setting up a small coffee area before, but it quickly turned into a cluttered mess with mugs, pods, and spills.
It’s hard when everyone has different drink preferences, and the station ends up scattered with sugar packets, half-used creamers, and not enough cups.
Many coffee bar ideas for work focus on looks without solving the real challenge of keeping things tidy, stocked, and easy for everyone to use.
Maybe you’ve looked at coffee station ideas online, but the setups require fancy machines or furniture that just don’t fit your office layout.
It gets even trickier if your workspace doesn’t have a dedicated kitchen area or if employees don’t clean up after themselves regularly.
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You might wonder how to make a coffee bar feel polished without becoming another thing that needs constant organizing and restocking.
Sometimes it feels easier to skip the whole setup completely, even though a good coffee corner can really boost morale and bring people together.
So, I’m going to share some practical coffee setups that add warmth to the office while staying clean, useful, and easy to enjoy every day.
What Makes A Great Coffee Bar For An Office
A great coffee bar for an office is a carefully curated space that goes beyond the basics of serving coffee.
There needs to be a variety of coffee options. Offer a range of ways to make coffee to cater to diverse tastes, including espresso, cappuccino, lattes, and various brew methods.
Install commercial-grade coffee machines, grinders, and milk frothers to ensure consistency and quality in every cup. Plus when machines are used a lot they need to be heavy duty so they don’t break from wear and tear too quickly.
Make sure it is near a sink for easy clean up of spills and messes. Give them no excuses to clean up!
Have a variety of coffee on hand for different taste buds. Some like more robust coffees as others might like light and airy blends.
If this is a joint coffee bar with lots of people who will be using it then ask everyone what they would love to have in it to try to have something for everyone.
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What To Put In A Coffee Bar At Work
There are a lot of things you could use for a coffee bar in an office. Having some good basics is a good place to start. I am sure as you use it over time you will see what does and doesn’t work. But here is my staple coffee bar essentials.
- Coffee maker or espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
- Coffee beans
- Brewing accessories – like filters, scales, timers, thermometers, and a kettle
- Milk frother
- Storage containers
- Mugs and cups
- Stirrers, spoons, and napkins
- Sweeteners and syrups
- Spices – like cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, cloves
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What To Style A Coffee Bar With For An Office
You don’t need many things to decorate a coffee bar at an office but a few coffee bar accessories and decorative pieces can be functional too. Use trays to collect small items like spoons, sugar bowl, etc.
A tiered mug rack can help save some valuable cabinet space.
A quote coffee sign can personalize the space and make it feel warm and welcoming.
You can also use coasters and fun napkins to add a little flare to the coffee ar too. Even get festive and creative for the seasons and holidays!
Where Should You Put A Coffee Bar At Work
Deciding where to place a coffee bar at work is crucial so everyone uses it.
Choose a spot that gets a lot of traffic and is convenient to everyone who will use it. This could be common areas or employee break rooms, or if it is a home office it could be a little bar cart off to the side.
Make sure that there are electrical outlets nearby to power coffee machines, grinders, and other equipment.
Be mindful of noise levels where it is going to be. While coffee grinders and machines can be noisy, they shouldn’t be disruptive to the people around them.
Here are some great examples of some coffee bars in an office setting.
Coffee Bar Ideas For An Office
This is one of the easiest ways to set up a coffee station in a workspace when you don't have any counter space.
The bottom shelf easily becomes extra storage with baskets and a tray.
Floating shelves are a great way to utilize space above a coffee bar that does not have a cabinet.
I love how this one added hooks to hang the coffee mugs to save some counter space.
The closed cabinetry for this coffee bar conceals all the coffee bar essentials so it does not look cluttered.
Also, a beverage refrigerator is really conveinent for storing cream and milk for making coffee!
If you have a lot of people that will be using the coffee station you will need plenty of storage options.
Using tray inserts like this makes it really easy to have a spot for everything and easy to find.
This is a great way to incorporate seating with a coffee bar.
Adding some floating shelves above a bar-height counter and some stools makes it feel warm and welcoming for people to gather.
Having a coffee bar in the office can elevate the overall work experience and convenience to make your favorite beverage whenever you want to.
By incorporating the right elements, such as quality coffee, comfortable furniture, and a well-designed space, you can create a coffee bar that everyone will love.
By offering a variety of brewing options, cozy seating, and an inviting atmosphere, your office coffee bar can become a hub for creativity and collaboration.