How to Create a Chic Coffee Bar with Secondhand Items

Tired of spending $8 every time you crave a latte? By designing a stylish at-home coffee bar, you may actually be excited to brew your own cup-of-Joe for once. As you visit estate sales and secondhand shops, you’ll want to keep your eyes out for the following items, all of which will take your coffee display to the next level. 

Coffee Maker

First things first, you’ll need a coffee machine. If you don’t already have one you love and want to save some cash in the process, consider going the secondhand route. I recently scored a gently loved Nespresso machine for just $15 while shopping an auction house’s warehouse sale; it was perfect timing given that my existing machine had given up once and for all earlier that morning! Of course, you’ll want to make sure that any electronics you bring home have been tested and are in functioning condition, but it’s safe to say that opting for a pre-used machine can save you hundreds of dollars. 

Storage

Next, you’ll need somewhere to store your coffee beans/grounds/pods. I’ve come across so many beautiful ceramic canisters while secondhand shopping, all of which would be perfect for this purpose. You’ll find options for every aesthetic, whether you’re drawn to traditional blue and white porcelain, sweet splatterware, or something else entirely. If you come across a matching set of two or three canisters, even better—you can use the others to house tea bags, sugar packets, and the like. 

Coffee Cart

Note that you can get creative when it comes to setting up your actual “coffee bar.” If you live in a small space, you might simply wish to turn part of your kitchen counter into a coffee area. If you have more room, consider displaying all of your coffee supplies on a bar cart or hutch to make the experience feel extra special. Of course, even better if you keep an eye out while visiting estate sales for the perfect piece of furniture to turn into your coffee station! 

Accessorize

Once you’ve stocked up on the essentials, you can look around for extras that will take your coffee bar to the next level. Some suggestions include: 

• A matching set of two to four mugs you’ll be excited to reach for every morning and offer to guests as needed 

• A sugar canister, if you didn’t come across a coordinating canister set 

• A wooden tree stand or decorative hooks to house mugs 

• A small tray that you can use to display the aforementioned canisters 

• A cute creamer pitcher, perfect for setting out when you have guests 

• Glass jars for housing syrups, if you like to add flavor to your coffee

Depending on how much space you have, you can add other accents, such as framed art, a plant in a stylish planter, cookbooks, and the like—the bulk of which you can purchase secondhand, too!

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

January 28, 2025     Updated 02:01 PM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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