Decorate the Kitchen with a Coffee House Theme

Do you just love a steaming cup of coffee? The idea of a coffee house in your own home sounds romantic, and it is generally simple to achieve. There are many different coffee house styles, so you should have an idea of your overall design goals before you get started. Are you envisioning a French bistro? A modern, artsy coffee house? These are just a few tips to help you get started decorating your kitchen with a coffee house theme.

1. Choose rich, dark colors and dim lighting. Chocolate brown and a deep red would look great in a coffee house inspired kitchen, along with white or cream colored trim or accents. Remember, java shops are typically dim and cozy. Choose soft lighting for your kitchen. Layer it if possible so you can brighten and dim them as needed. For example, use recessed cans for the general lighting, with hanging pendants and under-cabinet fixtures for the ask and accent lighting.

2. Replace shiny finishes with rubbed ones. That is, unless you are designing with that modern, artsy theme in mind. If you are going for a warm, cozy coffee house kitchen theme, look for more traditional hardware and fixtures in darker finishes: bronze, wrought-iron, black and so on. This includes your cabinet handles and knobs, light fixtures and even the faucets in your kitchen.

3. Add eclectic, coffee house style artwork. Every coffee shop needs either coffee-inspired or abstract art to hang on the walls. You can even make your own by taking close up photos of coffee beans, mugs of hot java and various other related items. Other ideas for artwork include paintings of Paris, wall clings with coffee related words and modern sculptures.

4. Provide a cozy seating area for coffee time. If you have the space in your kitchen, add a small area with places to sit and gossip over a cup of joe. Corner banquettes are great, as are pub tables, since they make good use of otherwise-wasted space.

5. Finish with the appropriate appliances. Every coffee house has certain appliances required for making coffee. A basic coffee machine is a must; other ideas include an espresso or cappuccino maker, a blender and so on. Die hard coffee fans might even have a coffee machine built right into their kitchen cabinets. And, of course, you can't forget the coffee grounds.

From: http://voices.yahoo.com/decorate-kitchen-coffee-10449067.html?cat=30