Lesson 3
Today's objective: Building the foundation 🛠
Today's outcome: Deciding on the foundation for your dream coffee bar
Hi Coffee Loving Friend!
Lesson 2 was a lot of information to digest so hopefully you've had enough time to take it all in! Planning lesson 2 was the biggest step in the process, so from here on out we're making a few more decisions and then executing on the design plan you've created.
This lesson is all about the foundation of your coffee bar — you know those big things that supports and surrounds all that beautiful coffee gear we love so much!
Like we said back in lesson 1 — design matters.
So when we say the word 'foundation' what we're referring to is both the base that holds your coffee brewing gear and the walls that surround your coffee bar.
We ideally want to choose a base for your coffee bar that's usable (function) and beautiful (form). Depending on the design style you've chosen, the base of your bar could really be anything that will support your brewing equipment, functions as you need it to, and looks beautiful to you.
Tables and sideboards and countertops oh my!
Back in lesson 2 we discussed the decision between a kitchen countertop, freestanding or a built-in bar. That decision will directly influence the base and walls of your coffee bar.
Functionally speaking, the base to your bar has got to be something that supports the equipment you'll use to brew coffee.
The reason why I'm suggesting both the base and your walls should look beautiful is because these are the dominant design elements of your coffee bar.
- If your brewing is focused primarily on drip or steep brewing then it's all really .
- But if your coffee brewing is espresso based and you have (or will have) a , the foundation of your coffee bar must be able to support it.
- If you've chosen to build your coffee bar on your kitchen countertop the foundation is already complete — assuming your countertop can support the coffee equipment you have.
light and mobile coffee gear
big, heavy espresso machine and grinder
The base that you choose must fit into the measurements of the space you're going to build your bar. So pull out your design sketch you did back in lesson 2 and refer to the measurements you've taken.
- Part of the fun of designing your coffee bar at this stage is choosing a base to display all that beautiful coffee brewing gear.
- We also have to consider the walls surrounding your coffee bar as there's a huge opportunity to add design elements on the walls that will really make your coffee bar pop!
Some FOUNDATION examples
1. Kitchen Countertop Coffee Bar
Base: Small footprint on custom tile countertop.
Wall: Neutral paint colour, custom cup shelf, fish accents.
Photo: @inbloom.dk
Base: Large footprint on quartz countertop.
Wall: Textured kitchen backsplash, floating shelves for cups, standing art.
Photo: @filter._.coffee_
2. Freestanding Coffee Bar
Base: Maple wood foundation, drawers, built in shelving.
Wall: Green accent wall with wall art.
Photo: @porter.coffee
Base: Cherry wood foundation, drawers, square cubby shelf.
Wall: Custom opaque glass wall.
Photo: @nao_in_the_studio
3. Built-In Coffee Bar
Base: Small custom built-in, single electric brewer.
Wall: Custom subway tile, standing cutting boards, under mount pot lights.
Photo: @phlop
Base: Large custom built-in, full espresso bar.
Wall: Textured backsplash, shelves with back lighting, hanging artwork.
Photo: @bubbleheadbarista
4. Some Unique Choices
Base: Work bench, tool storage, coffee bar.
Wall: Neutral paint colour, warm lighting.
Photo: @brentbrewscoffee
Homework
Choosing a base: use what you have if you can
If you've chosen a kitchen countertop coffee bar your base should already be complete.
Just make sure that:
- Your equipment will fit in the space (refer to the measurements you took back in lesson 2)
- You have a power source near by (for that kettle, espresso machine, and grinder)
- And the countertop will support the weight of heavy espresso equipment if that's one of your brewing choices
- Also remember that your ability to influence the design is limited because your kitchen is likely already complete.
If you've chosen a freestanding coffee bar you'll now have to find that perfect centrepiece.
- Personally, I love looking for things around my house or finding things people are throwing away and re-purposing them.
- Do you have an unused cabinet or sideboard that could work as a base? Does a family member or friend have a nice piece of furniture in storage that you can have for free?
- The other option is to purchase a killer looking base … something that will work for years to come.
- Remember with a freestanding bar that you may be further from a sink than you prefer, just something to be aware of.
Wherever you live, look around your local area for used furniture shops, local buy and sell ads, vintage or antique shops, etc... These resources may help you find the perfect centrepiece.
If you've chosen a built-in coffee bar then you're going to build the base of your coffee bar directly into the space. As we discussed in lesson 2, this option requires a bit more planning — but the outcome is absolutely stunning!
- For this style of coffee bar remember to consider your budget and timeline as it'll cost more and take longer to create.
The walls
Consider using the walls surrounding your coffee bar to really make your space unique. Walls provide a huge opportunity to add those design elements that will help your coffee bar fit into your preferred design style you chose back in lesson 1 (refer back now to your swipe file where you saved all those photos for inspiration)!
Here are some ideas for the walls around your coffee bar:
- Paint the wall(s) a unique colour to create an accent wall(s).
- Consider tiling the wall or adding 'stick on tile' if you don't want to get your hands too dirty. Your local home improvement store or Amazon will have lots of options.
- Wallpaper could be another great choice as there are TONS of beautiful options these days (it's not your grandma's 1970's wallpaper anymore 😂).
- Adding wood details like I did for my coffee bar (check out the photos back in lesson 2) — an example of this can be barn board or shiplap. YouTube tutorials can help you create this design feature if you choose to go this direction.
- Keep the wall colour neutral but add unique elements that really personalize your bar (will discuss this more in a future lesson).
Here's a great example of a wall detail that adds TONS OF CHARACTER to this little micro-bar that's built into an RV.
Simple vertical wood planks (painted white).
Photo: @freemansboldlygo
Whatever you decide to do with the walls surrounding your coffee bar — make sure you have LOTS OF FUN designing it!
Pro-level move
Here's the practical steps to take as you decide on a foundation for your dream coffee bar:
- Decide on a base for your coffee bar, something you love the look of.
- Decide on any design details for the walls surrounding your coffee bar.
- Look around shops in your local area to find the perfect centrepiece of your coffee bar.
- Before you buy any piece of furniture make sure you measure the space in your home where you plan to put it — "measure twice or pay the price".
- If you've found a nice piece but it needs some work, take the time to re-finish it. Especially if you've chosen a sideboard or other piece of furniture that are typically made of wood — you want this showpiece to look beautiful for years to come!
- Let's do the work! Setup the base and dress up those walls for your dream home coffee bar (if you already have a bar I suggest cleaning it out and starting with a blank slate as you re-design your space). This is your opportunity to also re-design the wall(s) surrounding your already existing coffee bar to add that special something that may be missing!
Last thoughts
I hope this lesson has been helpful. We're now starting to tie all the lessons together as each one builds on the previous one. In this lesson you're now choosing and putting in place those foundational elements for your dream coffee bar.
This means:
- Your foundation (base and walls) should align with your preferred design style you chose back in lesson 1.
- Your base should physically fit into the space you're building your coffee bar — this is why we measure both the space in your home and also any furniture you'll use for your coffee bar (refer to your sketch from lesson 2).
- You're now settled on whether your dream coffee bar will be on your kitchen countertop, freestanding or you've begun the process for a built-in.
- Send me a photo of the base you've chosen for your coffee bar and the walls that surround your bar.
- If you have any questions or concerns about choosing a specific foundation (base & walls), send me an email and we'll work it out!
Until next time,
Mike
