Replicate Joanna Gaines' Moody Coffee Bar In The Fixer-Upper Lakehouse

Though Joanna Gaines has long been dubbed the queen of modern farmhouse, the TV-star-slash-designer has proved her style is limitless yet again. During her latest home reno project, "Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse," Gaines embraced a mid-century modern approach with hints of Spanish revival. Put simply, the makeover was breathtaking at every turn, but one corner in the kitchen made us want to linger with a cup of coffee for a little longer: the moody coffee bar.

Whether you're looking to design an at-home coffee station to jumpstart your day or already have one, Gaines' coffee nook gives major inspiration. There are arches, warm wood tones, a marble top, and a gridded tile backsplash, making it dramatic and inviting all at once. The best part? You can easily pull off a similar cafecore look in your own space — no real marble or expensive tiles necessary. For those on a budget, peel-and-stick tiles, marble contact paper, a dark wood stain like cherry, and paint will do just the trick.

Let's start with the arch details. Is an arched cabinet necessary? Not really — but it definitely plays up the moody atmosphere. Plus, the curved silhouette provides a refreshing take from the conventional, boxy cabinets. If your budget allows, go for it. Something like this modern arched cabinet by Latitude Run for $340 on Wayfair (or if you're ready to splurge, this marble-topped bookcase for $1,898 from Anthropologie) would make for a stunning home brew setup. The darker the woodwork, the moodier the effect, so stain the piece a medium-toned brown if it looks too pale. 

Next, offset the cabinet with square backsplash tiles for a funky element. Gaines specifically used dark green tiles, although navy blue, black, and burgundy are luxe choices, too. Regardless of the color you choose, consider peel-and-stick backsplash tiles for an easy installation. The same goes for the worktop — marble contact paper can help you achieve a classy look minus the marble price tag. On Amazon, you can snag a pack of 5 self-adhesive tiles for around $38 and faux marble contact paper for $15.

If purchasing a new coffee bar cabinet isn't in the plans for you, you can still give your existing coffee area that moody Joanna Gaines aesthetic through paint. One trick is to paint an arch behind your setup. This works well if you have a small cabinet, console table, or even open shelving. Again, deep, earthy shades are your go-to when creating a moody vibe. According to Gaines' color rules, a small space (read: your coffee station) is a great place to experiment with these bold colors.

Another idea is to dial up the marble touches. Rather than adding marble to just your countertop, you could carry it onto the front-facing wall. Bonus points if you compliment the marbling pattern with dark green or rich wood cabinetry to channel Gaines' lake house theme. Finally, dot your shelves with playful accents (e.g., colorful mugs, plants, artwork, and a small table lamp) to keep the nook from looking too formal. The ultimate goal is for the coffee bar to feel like a warm and intimate retreat every time you prepare your cup of joe.