Unique kitchen features are becoming hugely popular. And right now, coffee stations are the most in-demand design feature dominating our cooking spaces, as we all look to enjoy a little bit of coffee shop magic in our own homes, with our best coffee machines in tow, of course.
Laura Townsend, design manager at Magnet, explains the rise in requests for an at-home coffee station. “Driven by an interest in romanticising everyday rituals, we're seeing more homeowners than ever ask us to create bespoke spaces that allow them to unleash their inner barista," says.
And as it turns out, a coffee station may even do more than merely provide an energising pick-me-up – it could even boost your home’s attractiveness to potential buyers, too. Win-win.
Coffee stations have clearly become an emerging trend for our kitchens, with Magnet reporting that searches for ‘coffee station at home’ have soared by around +110% in the last month alone. Karl McArdle, Co-Founder of The Property Buying Company says, "coffee stations aren't just something we're seeing on Instagram anymore; they're genuinely making their way into people's homes."
Why? The idea of creating an intentional moment to pause, as well as the opportunity to enjoy the luxury of a coffee shop seem to be the key drivers. "Coffee stations have become increasingly popular as more of us look to recreate the café experience at home in everyday living," Rachel Davis-Zavala, designer at Harvey Jones says.
They can be a huge money saver, too, of course. Karl points out, "when a high-street latte can easily set you back £4-£5 or more, buying one every working day could cost you over £1,000 a year, so you could argue a home coffee station eventually pays for itself."
Can a coffee station add to the value of your home?
And it turns out that adding a coffee station to your kitchen may actually make it more appealing to potential buyers too, if selling is on the cards. According to Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors, it’s impossible to suggest that installing a coffee station can boost your property price if you’re looking to sell. Still, he explains that it can certainly improve the overall feel of your home, and thus how attractive it is to potential buyers.
“A dedicated coffee station can definitely make a kitchen feel more premium and more finished, which tends to help with buyer appeal," Gareth says. "I wouldn’t oversell it as something that adds a specific amount of value on a valuation as this is very unlikely, but it can be one of those features that makes people feel the house is well thought-through, well cared-for, and that can influence how quickly it sells and how strongly people respond when they view it."
How to create and style a coffee station
So if you fancy elevating your coffee experience and the look of your home ahead of sale - or simply for your own enjoyment - how easy is it to install a coffee station? Well, it isn’t quite as simple as just placing your coffee machine in a corner and calling it a day.
Joana Passeira, head of coffee expertise at Nespresso, emphasises the importance of location and clever tricks to prevent the area from looking cluttered. "Look for a well-lit area, ideally near natural light, where the ritual feels inviting rather than tucked away," she suggests. "If worktop space is limited, a moveable trolley, slim sideboard or unused corner can also become a dedicated coffee zone without sacrificing prep space."
And there are all kinds of coffee station accessories that can help to make the space super practical, too. “I’d also suggest wall hooks for mugs, while slim shelves and vertical capsule storage all help free up room while turning everyday essentials into part of the design," Joana says.
If you’re looking to add a real sense of luxury, a few little touches can also elevate your coffee station without costing you too much. Rachel suggests, "Open shelving works beautifully for displaying mugs, jars, or small accessories, while integrated, backlit lighting creates a warm and inviting feel.
"Adding natural textures such as wood shelving, marble worktops, or even a splashback in a contrasting tile can elevate the space and give it a luxurious, ‘barista at home’ aesthetic," she says.
And if you really have the space and budget to go all out on the cafecore trend, a dedicated coffee cabinet sitting on your worktop is a true show-stopper in any kitchen - and certainly for any potential buyer.
"This can include practical additions like coffee grounds disposal or an integrated mini fridge for milk and cream,” Laura Townsend says. “The beauty of this approach is that it can easily evolve too - for example, if your fixation shifts from espresso to evening cocktails, the space can adapt with you.”
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