The Affordable Kitchen Update All Coffee Lovers Need

If you're a coffee lover, then you know just how great a cup of Joe is to start the day. But as good as coffee is, it can always be better, and a great way to improve your morning coffee is with a sleek DIY coffee bar area that boosts both appearance and storage. Getting started is easy. Just pick out some space in your kitchen or dining area with room for a small cabinet, table, or even a section of counter.

If you really want to turn this spot into your specialized coffee nook, we recommend a wall-hanging cabinet or shelf to store your mugs and other supplies. It's simple to make if you can't find one for sale and makes your coffee nook look like a real cafe. All you need are wood planks, copper pipes, and S-hooks to hang the mugs from, the appropriate tools, and perhaps some paint. For a rustic farmhouse touch that definitely won't break the bank, try a variation on a simple hack using a new dollar store plunger handle for your coffee mug rack.

If you're not a veteran DIYer, don't worry. Online tutorials with easy-to-follow instructions for projects just like these are everywhere (you are basically making a box and mounting it to the wall). If you just don't want to tackle it yourself, reach out to a friend who's a bit more handy. Even if they can't help you, they may be able to put you in touch with someone who can.

The first step in your coffee bar is picking the right space. At minimum, you need a few feet of counter or table space to work with. It can be anywhere, like behind a door, at the end of your kitchen counters, on an empty corner, or just along a stretch of empty wall. Look for space you're not utilizing. If you have a breakfast nook or similar eating space no one uses, that's a perfect starting point.

Another good tip to transform your coffee bar is to use decor. Put up coffee-themed decorations like wall signs or decorative plates, and add nice jars to store coffee beans or grounds so they're not just in the bag or can. You can include nice containers for your sugar and sugar substitutes for your coffee, filters, and anything else you need to make a decent cup of Joe. Trays and shelves are great ways to organize your coffee bar, and arranging supplies in the order you use them can be both aesthetically pleasing and efficient. You would be surprised how much these little things transform your new coffee space.

While you're at it, this is also a good time to get new gadgets to improve your home-brewed coffee. Many argue that a French press makes a much better and more flavorful cup of coffee than a typical electric drip machine, while a water filter can make a big difference in the quality of your morning cup. And if you like to grind your own beans, consider a new electric coffee grinder to streamline your morning routine.