Create More Counter Space By Turning A Cabinet Into A Stylish Pull-Out Coffee Bar

When it comes to designing your kitchen, functionality is just as important as appealing cabinets and appliances. By keeping your countertops free of clutter, you're ensuring that your space remains easy to use and offers plenty of room for food preparation, cooking, and socializing with your family. However, everyday items that you might currently have on your counter, such as your microwave and toaster, should always remain within reach. A pull-out coffee bar is a great example of an installation that frees up more of your space but keeps the essentials at hand. This neat design solution looks upscale and is sure to wow your overnight guests.

In a brief tour of her kitchen, @cheesegal on Instagram gives us a quick look at her elegant pull-out coffee bar. Her sliding shelf has room for both a normal coffee machine and an espresso maker. It sits just a few inches above the counter so that it's easily accessible every morning, and it tucks back into her cabinets when not in use. @theransonshome on TikTok has a similar fixture, and they have a brief DIY tutorial showing exactly how it was made. Integrating a similar feature into your kitchen is a great way to maximize your available countertop space and upgrade the heart of your home.

Before you begin setting up a pull-out coffee bar in your space, you'll need to address a few practical considerations for the best coffee bar design. To start, think about the height and durability of the shelf you'll be putting your coffee machine on. If you need to reach up to access the shelf, it probably isn't a good fit for this installation. The shelf rails should also support the weight of your coffee machine, mugs, and essentials, such as teaspoons and sugar.

Next, check how much condensation your coffee maker creates, especially if it's a drip machine. Make sure there's plenty of space between the bar and the shelf above it or the humidity will damage the wood. In addition, it's a good idea to keep your pull-out coffee bar open when your machine is on and for several minutes after while it cools off.

Finally, you should review where the available outlets are in relation to the coffee bar's potential location. You shouldn't have to reach behind your coffee machine every morning to plug it in. In the TikTok from @theransonhome, their setup has all the plugs underneath a raised shelf, which is certainly an elegant solution. However, to achieve this, you'll need to either build the cabinetry around the outlet or cut an outlet hole directly into the cabinet. Also check to make sure that the cords don't bunch up every time you pull the shelf out.