Creating a Holiday Coffee Station in a Small Space
Creating a holiday coffee station in a small space can be fun, as well as a challenge. What better way to learn how to add a small space holiday coffee bar to your home than through this month’s Pinterest Challenge.
CREATING A HOLIDAY COFFEE STATION IN A SMALL SPACE
First off, let me wish each of you a blessed Thanksgiving! With Thanksgiving just a few days away, the Christmas season will soon be in full swing!
My Wee Abode is kicking off the season just a wee bit early by participating in this month’s Pinterest Challenge hosted by Cindy at County Road 407. Cindy, you are an amazing hostess! Thank you!
If you are visiting by way of Carol at Blue Sky At Home, welcome! Carol and I have known each other for close to two years now, but we got to spend some extended ‘girl-time’ together at Haven this past July! Her style and decor are simply lovely!
What Is a Pinterest Challenge?
The Pinterest Challenge involves Cindy choosing an inspirational photo from Pinterest and/or the Internet, and then we get to replicate the decor or project that is pictured with our own twist! Fun, right?
This past year, our challenges have included a Spring Centerpiece, a Patriotic Porch, my Faux Summer Mantel, and most recently, some Simple Fall Decor Using Place Cards.
Make sure you check out all fifteen of the bloggers at the end of this post for LOTS of holiday beverage station ideas!
The Inspiration Photo
This month our inspiration comes from Jessica at Pen + Paper Flowers. Be sure to hop on over and see the whole reveal of the lovely beverage bar.
Jessica’s amazing Hot Chocolate Bar includes the following elements that worked for this my interpretation:
- Mugs organized in a rustic crate
- DIY cake plate used as an organizer
- Yummy flavorings to add to the beverage
- A gorgeous sign announcing the beverage bar
- and simple Christmas decor to give a nod to the season
The Challenge
Jessica’s sweet little Hot Chocolate Bar is the perfect setup for a nice buffet or butler’s pantry counter.
However, many of you know that this would NOT work at My Wee Abode. But, if you are visiting for the first time let me tell show you why this is a challenge for MWA.
This is my kitchen!
Yep… My Wee Abode is a 400 square foot loft apartment that has a make-shift kitchen. And I LOVE it!
And just a bit to the right of the refrigerator is my coffee cubby. Yep, cubby.
So… this is what I have to work with.
My second challenge, though not quite as daunting as my space challenge… I like coffee, not real big on cocoa.
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
For more information, see my complete disclosure HERE.
How to Create a Small Space Holiday Coffee Station
So, instead of a hot chocolate bar, this is what my holiday coffee station looks like in my small ‘studio’ apartment (fyi, it is actually a one-bedroom 😉 ).
Keepin’ it real here… This is the hardest area to photograph in my little place, but it is one of my favorite spots, as well. I use it every single day, sometimes more than once.
So here are the different elements that I added from Jessica’s inspiration photo.
- Rustic crate to hold my collectible Christmas mugs
This crate had been stored in my closet for over two years … just waiting to be used for SOMETHING. Well, that day came last week when I pulled it down from the shelf, added some gray stain and popped it my coffee cubby, which was starting to look like a holiday coffee bar!
It was an added ‘perk’ (see what I did there) that my Food Network Christmas mugs fit inside and on top of the crate perfectly! (Sorry, these latte mugs are no longer available, but I’m thinking a DIY with THESE might be in order!)
- DIY cake plate for organizing
- Yummy flavorings for the hot beverages
This DIY cake plate was made with just a couple of items from the Dollar Tree, some spray paints and glue!
For my minimalist Christmas coffee station, my cake plate holds some Starbuck’s white mocha packets (I add it to my coffee for some extra coffee taste) along with some Starbuck’s Italian instant coffee (it tastes like brewed… truly). The cinnamon sticks add a nice bit of spice (not too much) and work great as stir sticks. The plate also organizes my coffee scoop and one-cup coffee filters (behind the white mocha packets) for my coffee machine.
- A gorgeous sign to ‘label’ the coffee station
Now, this sign doesn’t even compare to Jessica’s amazing artwork, but I kinda like my DIY Window Pane Sign with a touch of flocked greenery and white berries (my color palette this Christmas is quite neutral).
- Simple Christmas greenery for a nod to the holiday season
These mini bottle brush trees are small enough for some added merriment, but leave enough room on the tiny counter to still prepare a hot beverage.
And a sprig of greenery and more white berries.
This $5 Target wreath had a bit of flocking added to it and is hung from the cupboard above the Christmas beverage station. (And those magnetic tins on the side of the refrigerator hold holiday spices to pinch into your coffee.)
Extra Tips for Creating a Holiday Coffee Station in a Small Space
Because the coffee bar is small, this little one-cup coffee maker only takes up about a 6-inch square space and is perfect for a tiny house, small apartment, or dorm room.
To hold my loose coffee, I use stackable canisters, one for leaded and one for unleaded coffee. (I only have the one canister shown here.)
You can find more tips and tricks by clicking over to the “ultimate” guide for Creating a Coffee Station in a Small Space.
I hope you enjoyed and learned something from this Pinterest Challenge. I know I did…While there doesn’t seem much you can do with a tiny surface like the one at My Wee Abode, I’m super thankful that it is so useful, pretty, and brightens my day (cuz y’all… I need my morning coffee!)
Now It’s Your Turn
Now you have a couple things you can do… First, you can make my day by leaving a comment and letting me know what you like best about having a holiday coffee station. And second…
You will TRULY enjoy Amy’s colorful Santa Hot Chocolate Bar over at Cuter Tudor! Go on, you know you want to!
Julie,
Great use of space. Love, love the mugs. Enjoy myself a great cup of hot chocolate with peppermint.
Happy Thanksgiving
Cindy
Yes… those mugs are always fun to get down from the cupboard come the cold weather! And they hold a lot! 😉
hi julie, i love your mugs! So pretty and fun! Winter blizzard in Denver so hot cocoa is in the works here! Visiting from Everyday Edits, laura
Thanks, Laura… Those mugs were fun to collect each year… wish they had continued the line. I heard there was snow in CO (Kelly from the Tattered Pew is home for a snow day). Enjoy your holiday weather. We are hoping to have rain on Thanksgiving. Forecast says it will start tomorrow!
How fun. I love how you took a small spot and added so much charm with a fabulous Hot Chocolate Bar station. This looks so inviting and I am sure everyone will use this often for their favorite hot chocolate. Those mugs and the hot water dispenser are perfect. I also really like the tray with all the fixings. Cute, cute, cute.
Thanks so much, Marty! I’m really glad I’ve been able to use the little space for a coffee station in my tiny place! 😉
Oh, Julie! This is the perfect Hot Chocolate Cubby Corner! Just darling! I would love love love to come on over and have hot chocolate with you, my dear friend! xo xo
Well, maybe next visit you can come and visit MWA! For now, just looking forward to Monday! 😉
Julie you made the best out of the space you have. I think you master bringing everything you need to the space as well. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Terrie. I really do love my little coffee area. Totally works for me! 😉 (I love your ladder sign! So smart and cute!)
Wow! That looks so beautiful! So very practical and pleasing!
I need to have you over to partake! 😉
Julie, you are the queen of making the most out of small spaces. Your coffee cubby looks so festive. I can see all of your guests scootin’ on over there for a cup of cocoa or coffee. 😉 Love your decorations and that DIY sign. AND… you did a great job photographing the space – Seriously! Thank you for joining in. I always enjoy reading your posts. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the encouragement, Cindy! It means so much! 😀
Your edited version is just perfect, Julie! Cute and functional is the best combo!
Thanks, Lora… I love your treat tray! 😉
Such a lovely spot. Thanks for sharing. It’s inspiring.
Thanks, Donna. With all the other ideas today, I could have added a bit more. 😉
Julie, this is just about the counter space I have for a coffee bar/cocoa bar setup. These are great ideas and it’s cozy and cute. Those mugs are darling and really make me want to pour a cup and enjoy some quite time.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Thanks, Rachelle. I think I want to add a couple more items… we’ll see.
I like coffee, but I love cocoa (or as we call it, hot chocolate).
Yes… I go between cocoa and hot chocolate… usually hot chocolate. 😉
So so cute, Julie! I love how festive and cozy this little nook is – just in time for all things merry 🙂 And I’m still loving those counters, favorite DIY project ever! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Tiffany… I totally just got the biggest smile from your sweet words… it is actually my second best performing post! LOL!
This is adorable, Julie – I love your sign and those mugs! In my house it would be a tea station 🙂 Hmmmm…I may need to create that…
Sounds like you definitely need to do a tea station! (My tea holder is tucked away on another counter during this post! 😉 )
Julie, this is just AWESOME! My coffee maker sits in a small corner on one of the counters (and shares the space of the cutting board). I love how you’ve incorporated the small wooden crate, and even the cake plate! I am feeling inspired. Also requested to join that Pinterest Challenge!
Thank you! I was in a bit of a funk when I had to create and photograph, so now I wish I could do it over! LOL! 😉 There are days like that!
Julie, you do YOU so well, my friend! This is such a great post packed full of useful tips and hacks for wee aboders everywhere. (I think I just named your fan club.) I also love that you made it a beverage station that’s important to you, and I can relate as a fellow leaded coffee drinker (wink). I hope we get to drink our leaded coffee together sometime in the near future, my friend! P.S. I want those mugs.
Don’t you know I wish we could have coffee dates! Thanks for the lovely comment. (And, you can get the mugs on eBay!)
Oh my gosh, Julie, you created the best festive small space coffee bar! I can’t believe how much you were able to fit in that small cubby and yet not have it look cluttered. I have a small kitchen with little counter space so I am very inspired by this to deck my coffee zone for the holidays. Pinned
Oh, I’m so glad you were inspired! You know that why we blog, right?! 😉 I hope to see a post on your coffee/cocoa bar, too!
What a darling display! Your tall mugs are fabulous. May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Thank you, Laura… I do love my mugs! Have a blessed Thanksgiving, as well!
What a cute coffee bar, Julie!!! You CAN make a perfect coffee or hot chocolate bar in any space, big or small. I loved having our coffee and tea spots in our trailers those 3 1/2 years.
This is perfect for the holidays! Happy Thanksgiving to you and enjoy the Christmas season.
Holiday hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thank you, Barb! You are so sweet… next time your are in So Cal, let’s get together for a coffee/tea!
Julie, you the queen of small spaces. Love your little corner. So glad you found your crate. It’s perfect. Love your sign and your mugs. We aren’t coffee drinkers, but I would love to come for a visit. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
You are always welcome at MWA! You just let me know when you are coming! 😉
Julie,
I absolutely LOVE it! You utilize the space you have with efficiency and beauty. I love your coffee corner. I love hot chocolate, but I really have to limit to special treats. I’m a coffee in the morning and tea in the evening girl. Merry Christmas, sweet friend!
Thanks for dropping in, Christy. I’m a coffee in the morning type of gal, too! Almost a ‘must’. 😉 Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season!
I love a hot cocoa bar and your is so cozy. I hope you are enjoying your holiday.Pinned.
Merry Christmas,
Kippi
Thanks, Kippi… I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season, too!
I’m featuring you when the next party starts this week, thank you for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go Wednesday link party!