How To Style The Coffee Cart of Your Dreams

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This post is all about designing a beautiful & practical coffee cart!

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​Lately, I have been obsessing over setting up a cute coffee cart in the living room. Living in a small apartment, I can’t spare any kitchen counter space for a beautiful coffee bar but I still want to take my daily treats to the next level. If you’re anything like me, you probably find yourself making coffee or tea at least 4 to 5 times a day – so why not elevate this daily habit?

A coffee cart is a great idea not only for coffee lovers but also if you love to entertain. Its compact nature and the ability to move it easily make it a fantastic feature for a guest bedroom or hosting area. It’s one of those small touches that your guests will remember for a long time to come!

In this post, we’ll cover a few basic tips to get your coffee cart set up. I’m also sharing 20 insanely cute finds that are currently on my coffee bar wish list. So grab your delicious coffee (or tea, or matcha, or latte…all cozy drinks are welcome) and get ready to be inspired!

The Anatomy Of A Great Coffee Cart

Before jumping into decorating your coffee cart, we need to talk about the basics. Don’t hate me, please – I promise this is an important step of the design process!

Firstly, it’s crucial to think of your coffee cart set up not only as a functional area but also as a curated experience. Whether it’s a quick espresso to pick you up during a tough day or a cozy latte on Sunday morning, making and drinking coffee is often more of a ritual than a habit. In this case, the pieces you choose need to seamlessly blend practicality and style. Some of the best espresso carts I have seen capture, in a mini size, the same lovely vibe of cute coffee shops.

Spend some time thinking about what type of experience you are trying to replicate with your setup. How does it integrate with the room’s existing decor? Is it a good fit for your daily habits? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your design choices and save you plenty of time and money when it comes to decor shopping.

Secondly, I would encourage you to define a budget you are comfortable with. Especially if you’re starting from scratch, you will need to invest in several pieces of equipment and the total can ramp up pretty quickly. In this case, I love to take on a piece-by-piece approach. Make it a priority to purchase a sturdy and functional coffee machine. You’ll also want to invest in a beautiful cart as that will set the tone for the entire space. Beyond that, take your time scouring for cute thrift finds and build your coffee collection slowly over the upcoming months.

Is This The Right Choice For Your Space?

Another important thing to consider before committing to a coffee cart is whether this setup can work in your space. For instance, if you’re looking for ease of setup and minimal decor, a small coffee corner on your kitchen counter may be a better option.

A coffee cart can also feel a bit too informal for very elegant spaces. Part of the charm of these setups is their coziness and that can be difficult to match to very traditional rooms. In this case, you could opt for more vintage pieces or place the coffee cart in the dining room.

Lastly, be considerate of location. A coffee cart gets used daily so it needs to be easy to access without getting in the way of everyday life chaos. While your cart may look stunning placed in the far corner of the sitting room, perhaps it would be a better candidate for your kitchen or study. As usual, being intentional about your home decor means not only choosing stunning pieces but also ensuring they serve your lifestyle and not the other way around.

How To Style The Perfect Coffee Cart

Now onto the fun part – styling and accessorizing! Personally, I a huge fan of “on-theme” decor, especially for areas that are really serving only one purpose. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and look for some quirky or unique pieces for a sophisticated coffee cart that is full of personality.

Start With A Practical But Stylish Cart

The cart is perhaps the most important piece in your setup. It sets the tone for the rest of the decor and needs to accommodate all your appliances and decor items. This is definitely a thing you want to choose carefully!

As far as mobile carts are concerned, there are so many different options available. If you’re looking for something easy to clean that has high durability, a metal or stainless steel cart is a great candidate. For something a bit more chic and high-end, you can go instead for gold detailing or ornate wooden details. I also think it’s a great look to choose a piece that combines different materials and colors. Such a great way to introduce variety and an element of visual interest in your design.

Invest In Small Appliances

While some of the more hardcore coffee enthusiasts may disagree with me, I don’t think you necessarily need a pro machine for a good coffee setup. As an Italian, I believe the best high-quality espresso comes from an old, tiny moka and that must count for something!

As you evaluate which coffee machine, brother, to kettle to purchase, look for smaller models. Especially if your coffee cart needs to be small-space friendly steer away from bulky pieces with plenty of functionalities you won’t ever use. Something else you want to be considerate of is the size of the water tanks. While a coffee machine may seem small, water tanks can often be quite long. Double-measure your cart before investing your money!

Keep Your Coffee Cart Organized

If you’re a long-time reader of the blog, you know that organized spaces have my heart. Nothing will ensure that your setup stays neat and tidy like a well-thought-out system. From beautiful containers and syrup dispensers to a stylish towel holder to make cleaning up easy, these accessories will guarantee everything has its assigned place.

Bonus tip: when selecting containers, go for clear ones. They make it extra easy to stay on top of stocking your coffee cart supplies. Of course, make sure to also keep a few dark boxes to protect more delicate loose teas or gourmet flavored hot chocolate. These are not products you want to expose to harsh light or you risk ruining the flavor!

Add On-Theme Decor To Your Coffee Cart

Welcome to my favorite section of this post! Cute, coffee-themed decor is so popular right now and you can’t miss out on it. It’s the perfect finishing touch for a stylish cart.

The best part is that most of these pieces will take up very little space, leaving your setup clutter-free and easy to clean/use. From unique coffee card recipes and a tea bag rest to a mini French café pillow and framed print, get ready to add a ton of character and fun colors to your cart!

Don’t Compromise on Style or Functionality

I also wanted to dedicate a section to practical finds that keep things functional without compromising on beautiful design features. After all, the key to stunning designs is elevating even purely practical pieces into the building blocks of a cohesive look. Whether it’s a vintage-inspired mug set or a modern print for an anti-stain mat, don’t settle on boring pieces even when it comes to the basics.

These common items are also easy to find at affordable price points, making them a great starting point to build on your essentials. Both Ikea and Amazon, for instance, have beautiful mug and spoon sets that will look just gorgeous without breaking the bank. I love a win-win solution!

To Conclude

This post told you everything you need to know about styling a beautiful coffee cart!

Whether you want to design a small and simple setup or are looking for something more elevated for entertaining purposes, a coffee cart is the perfect all-in-one solution for all your cozy drink needs. As you start shopping for your decor, remember that the key is striking the right balance between style and functionality. Also, don’t be afraid to add a few fun touches to make your cart come alive with personality!

And remember…there is always time for a good cup of coffee and some home decor shopping! 😉