5 Ways to Create Your At-Home Cafe
I can’t be the only one who ranks “going to the local cafe” at the top of their post-pandemic bucket list. I may miss the allure of the dining rooms of Starbucks and Panera more than most people, but the buzzy noises and the smells of coffee and baked goods are universally loved. A safe haven for people to journal, work, and people watch.
But man, I do love a good dining-room-turned-coffee-shop set up. You can pull down the shades or play a YouTube video loudly without disturbing a single soul. Yes, there’s a lot happening in a cafe that makes it cozy and where you’d like to hole up for an hour or two. But don’t think you can’t recreate that in your own home!
Here are just a few steps to turn your dining room/office/kitchen into your next favorite cafe.
- The Noise
One of my biggest reasons for missing the safe space of a cafe is the charming sounds; coffee grinding, milk being frothed, people chattering at neighboring tables. These noises may be simple on their own, but when you bring them together, it creates a symphony of comfort.
The quickest and easiest way to achieve this level of ambiance is to play a coffee shop playlist. But why stop there? Play some light jazz while you brew your cup any way you like, taking time with foaming your milk with an electric whisk or a fancy frother. Listen to the sounds, be mindful. If you’re recreating this with a partner or a friend, take turns making your drinks, as if the barista was working on them separately. Don’t feel like you have to be quiet. Talk to yourself, play a podcast, or sing along with a fun playlist. This is your coffee shop!
2. The Menu
It’s easy to just pop a bagel in the toaster or pull a hard-boiled egg out of the fridge and call it “breakfast”. But what if you took the time to create your very own cafe menu? My boyfriend did this once when I was having a terrible morning, and it made a world of difference for my mood and productivity.
Not only was I able to pick my drink and breakfast of choice, but he made it for me too! I was able to sit down next to the coveted window seat and get my work out of my bag as he prepared our breakfast; lattes and warmed-up leftovers with a side of eggs.
Some options to include on your menu could be:
- A bagel with avocado and scrambled eggs.
- A matcha latte, hot or iced.
- An egg sandwich with a fresh fruit cup.
- A cup of coffee with honey and milk.
Your menu can be as simple or elaborate as you want to make it, just put things on there that you enjoy making or could easily meal prep earlier in the week if that’s more your thing.
3. The Smells
Freshly ground coffee, spicy Turkish lattes, and warm pastries are lovely smells to be welcomed by when you enter a cafe. Recreate this vital part of the experience by lighting a coffee-scented candle, sitting out some fragrant coffee beans near your workspace, or even creating a simmer pot on the stove to fill the air with a warm and relaxing aroma.
These smells will bring back the memories of being at your favorite coffee spot in no time. My favorite cafe in my college town always had a faint smell of cinnamon and perfume. What did yours smell like?
4. The Ambiance
Sounds and smells play a huge factor in the feel of a place but more aspects go into an overall ambiance.
Textures such as tablecloths, the material of your chair, and even the clothes you wear play a part in how cozy a place can feel. Lighting, whether it be a sunny window spot or a dimly lit nighttime vibe, can also make the cafe experience more personal. And don’t forget the decor! Whether that be a clay cup of sugar packets on the table, or favorite pieces of artwork or ceramics hanging around you, coffee shops are filled with quirky pieces of work that help fuel your creativity or give you something to look at when you’re mind needs a break.
5. The Exit
Of course, all experiences must come to an end. You can’t sit in a cafe all day, so treat your at-home cafe the same way. Pack up your bag, put your plate and cup in the sink (you can come back to clean them later), and go on to the next task of the day. Don’t want to ruin a good thing do you?
Cafes and coffee shops are sacred places in my book, so I can understand if it seems lack-luster or disheartening if you have to make one yourself. But don’t let those bad thoughts come through! Using these tips, you can make the dream cafe you’ll want to keep coming back to, week after week.
