Summer Perks: Easy Ideas For A Company Worthy Summer Coffee Bar

Discover creative summer coffee bar ideas to delight your guests! Explore set up ideas, inspiration for serving hot and cold drinks, a little something to eat, and how make your coffee bar extra special for friends, family and overnight guests.

Even in the heat of the summer, do you still crave a good hot cup of morning coffee? There is nothing like that first sip! It’s my wake-up call, no matter the time of year or the temperature outside. Iced or cold brew coffee will have to wait until later in the day.

Summer is a laid-back but still busy time at the Tanglewood House. We often have family and overnight or weekend guests. So, to start everyone’s morning off right, I set up and serve a coffee (and tea) bar for everyone to enjoy when they wake up. And I love that everyone is happy and can serve themselves!

A good cup of coffee, a little nosh, and a summer morning go a long way toward keeping everyone happy.

So, let’s look at ideas for creating a coffee bar that exudes a summery welcoming look and meets the needs of you and your guests.

Coffee Bar Essential: The Coffee Maker

Your coffee maker is the workhorse of your coffee station. No matter the one you choose, make sure it is in good working condition and sparkling clean. Now is the time to do some quick maintenance, like descaling it and cleaning out the water reservoir or pot.

We chose a coffee maker that could brew different kinds of coffee and tea. Bobby is a caffeine-addicted guy who drinks coffee all day, every day. I only drink caffeinated coffee until noon. We needed a coffee maker that accommodated both of us. So, we chose a coffee maker that used pods.

We love our Keurig coffee maker! It allows us to make an exhaustive variety of coffees, hot tea, iced tea, iced refreshers, chai tea, and more. This is such a convenient and guest-friendly coffee maker option.

Whatever coffee maker you have, make sure it’s ready to serve coffee to you, your friends, and any guests.

Our coffee station is on a counter next to our refrigerator. It is fine on a regular morning when we don’t have company. But when we do have company, this area can get congested. One day, it dawned on me to move our coffee maker to a more convenient location in our kitchen for the morning coffee rush. Necessity is truly the mother of invention… or a lightbulb moment.

A Summery Color Palette

A pretty summery coffee bar deserves to look pulled together and cohesive. One of the easiest ways to do this is to consider the colors you will use on your coffee bar.

As a decorator, I’m always thinking about a color story. It pulls EVERYTHING together!

I used a blue and white colof story for our summer coffee bar, with a kaleidoscope of colors from the garden flowers and herbs I picked. A set of cobalt blue and white napkins with a fish motif inspired me for this coffee bar.

I keep going back and forth about adding blue and white to our neutral home. Adding blue and white dishes and napkins adds these iconic colors to our home without a big commitment. I can enjoy the coffee bar and then put it away and enjoy the serenity of a neutral home.

Choosing The Right Mugs And Napkins

Years ago, I began placing cloth napkins into mugs on our coffee bars. What started as a convenient storage solution has become a signature look. It was a happy accident that not only served a practical purpose but also added a touch of style to our coffee bar.

Here are other practical and attractive ways to display napkins on a coffee bar…

• Napkin Rings: Roll napkins and secure them with stylish napkin rings, then arrange them in a neat row or stack.
• Basket Arrangement: Use a small, woven basket to hold a neatly folded napkin stack.
• Tiered Tray: Arrange napkins on a tiered tray alongside other coffee bar essentials.
• Vintage Tin: Store napkins in a vintage tin or box for a rustic look.
• Mason Jars: Roll napkins and stand them upright in wide-mouth mason jars.
• Wooden Crate: Place a stack of napkins in a small wooden crate for a farmhouse feel.
• Drawer Organizer: Use a drawer organizer or tray with compartments to sort and display napkins.
• Decorative Tray: Lay napkins flat on a decorative tray, fanning them out for easy access.
• Cake Stand: Arrange a stack of napkins on a decorative cake stand.
• Flower Pot: Use a small, decorative flower pot to hold rolled or folded napkins.

Recently, I’ve culled my collection of mugs. Now I have two different sets of white mugs and another set with a monogram. My cabinet is much more organized! Three nice mug choices is enough to set up a coffee bar.

I added a sprig of mint to each coffee cup, just for fun- a little grace note and put the mugs on a wooden riser with a bead trim to add a bit of warmth to the coffee bar on a white quartz counter.

Blue And White Dishes

I’ve been collecting blue and white dishes for decades. Some are vintage treasures, some are old friends I’ve cherished forever, and some are new additions. No matter their motif, they all seem blend beautifully together, creating a lovely, cohesive look.

One of my favorite pieces is the small creamer. I found it on a day trip to the Chesapeake Bay about a decade ago.

I usually use a white sugar bowl, but it broke, and I have not replaced it yet. So, I called one of my Mikasa cups into service. What do you think? Do you like the look?

A Little Nosh

Our overnight guests come down in the morning to coffee and a little treat. I like to serve muffins, Danish, or even donuts, and a bit of fruit.

When our three small grandsons come from Capital Hill, DC to visit they get up early and eat what they call pre-breakfast. They wake up so hungry and usually go for a bowl of cereal and then a muffin or scone before they eat a big family breakfast. I just can’t image my daughter and son-in-law’s grocery bills!

Right now, strawberries are in season, and they are so delicious! So, I’m serving these beautiful gems with store-bought blueberry lemon muffins.

Here are other treats you could serve on a coffee bar…

• Assorted Pastries (croissants, danishes, scones)
• Muffins (blueberry, banana nut, chocolate chip)
• Cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sugar)
• Biscotti (almond, chocolate-dipped)
• Scones
• Mini Donuts
• Fruit Platter (sliced fruits like berries, melon, pineapple)
• Granola Bars
• Mini Quiches
• Yogurt Parfaits (with granola and fruit)
• Bagels (with cream cheese, butter, and jam options)
• Mini Sandwiches (tea sandwiches like cucumber or egg salad)
• Nut and Dried Fruit Mix

If I have time, I like to make something homemade. Here are a few of my favorites that are easy to make and my guest love…

• Maple Glazed Banana Bread Scones
• Strawberry Lemon Pound Cake With Lemon Glaze
• Easy Blueberry Muffins With Lemon Glaze
• Amazing Sour Cream Scones
• Best Butter Topped Beer Bread– set up your toaster and let guests make their own toast.
• Easy Orange Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins
• Almond Bread With Vanilla Glaze

Add Flower To Your Coffee Bar

A small vase of flowers is a must on our coffee bar! For our summer coffee bar, I head out to my raised bed gardens and planters and clip annual like snapdragons, salvia, and dianthus. As well as herbs like mint and dill.

I don’t arrange them in any special way. I just pack them tightly into a small cordial glass. Easy peasy and pretty.

Because we live on a golf course, I no longer have large garden beds. So we invested in five raised bed gardens, and put them at the end of our driveway. They are such a daily joy in my life. I head out early every morning with a cup of coffee and spend time tending these gardens, praying and bringing in a handful of blooms and herbs.

From early spring to frost, there are always flowers to clip and bring inside.

I often send our overnight guest home with a bouquet of flowers from our raised garden beds.

Coffee Bar Ideas

Here are some easy-to-do ideas and tips for setting up a summer coffee bar for overnight guests.

1. Select a Central Location: Place the coffee bar in a common area, like the kitchen or dining room, where it’s easily accessible.
2. Choose the Right Coffee Maker: Opt for a user-friendly machine like a drip coffee maker, Keurig, or French press, depending on your guests’ preferences.
3. Offer a Variety of Coffee: Provide regular, decaf, and a selection of flavored coffee pods or grounds to cater to different tastes.
4. Include Tea Options: Have a selection of teas available for non-coffee drinkers, including herbal, black, and green teas.
5. Provide Milk and Creamers: Stock a variety of options such as whole milk, half-and-half, almond milk, and flavored creamers.
6. Set Out Sweeteners: Include sugar, sugar substitutes, honey, and flavored syrups for sweetening coffee and tea.
7. Add a Hot Water Kettle: Ensure guests can easily make tea or hot cocoa by including an electric kettle.
8. Stock Up on Mugs: Provide a variety of mugs and cups, ensuring there are enough for everyone.
9. Offer To-Go Cups: For guests who might be in a hurry, have disposable or reusable to-go coffee cups available.
10. Include Snacks: Complement the coffee with a selection of pastries, biscuits, or fruit.
11. Add a Coffee Grinder: For guests who enjoy freshly ground coffee, include a grinder and whole coffee beans. We do this for our kids.
12. Create a Cozy Atmosphere: Decorate the coffee bar area with a small plant or a cozy tablecloth to make it inviting.
13. Supply Napkins: Use pretty cloth or disposable napkins on your coffee bar. Coordinate them with your dishes or tablecloth.

Setting up a summer coffee bar for friends, family, and overnight guests is a delightful way to start summer morning. Not only does it create a welcoming atmosphere, but it also provides a convenient and enjoyable gathering spot for everyone to savor their favorite coffee drinks. It’s a thoughtful touch that shows your guests how much you care about their comfort and enjoyment during their stay.

Happy summer, Friends!