Why every well-designed kitchen needs a multi-tasking breakfast station

A flexible breakfast cupboard is fast becoming an integral part of high-end kitchen design – think pantry units with bi-fold or pocket doors alongside fully bespoke solutions that can morph into a drinks cabinet when the sun goes down. Sally Smith takes a look at what's trending now.

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it seems that design-savvy consumers, inspired by influencers and online research, agree – increasingly they're looking to create a dedicated ‘self-service’ space to enjoy the daily rituals of drinking coffee or rustling up some toast at the start the day. What's more, it looks like the increasing demand for these supplementary areas is set to continue with a 2025 Statista report recording a rise of 2.6% growth in the at-home coffee market in the UK.

"It’s unsurprising that drinks pantries have become a major trend over the past few years, with more of us spending time socialising and entertaining at home both during and after the pandemic. Separate dining rooms have become far less commonplace and that has led to a rise in popularity of dedicated breakfast and bar stations," says Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Woodstock.

It's not hard to be impressed by the clever versatility of a breakfast station, as Tom Howley, creative design director explains. Not only do homeowners have the initial ‘Narnia’s Wardrobe’ moment when they open the doors to reveal how much storage space is inside. "It can be used as a breakfast station each morning, neatly tucking the mess of the coffee machine and toaster away, yet it can transform into a cocktail bar in the evening. If space allows, we would recommend including a small under-counter fridge or dual-zone wine cooler, a boiling and sparkling water tap, an ice maker and deep drawers for barware and cocktail tools."

More and more, consumers are craving kitchens that are more lifestyle led in design, and are looking for highly organised zones that support the overall aesthetic of the kitchen. 

For Cassie Jones, brand manager at Masterclass Kitchens, "these stations help to keep worktops clutter-free while ensuring everything needed for daily routines is easily accessible. Features such as internal lighting, tailored storage and concealed appliances all contribute to a space that feels bespoke, even within a more accessible price point. Ultimately, drinks and breakfast stations are no longer a ‘nice to have’ but an expected element of a well-designed kitchen."

Matt Phillips, head of UK operations at Rotpunkt, add: "The home bar or breakfast cupboard often requires units and doors in non-standard dimensions to maximise storage and introduce furniture at different levels. Our latest breakfast stations include pull-out coffee solutions, which can be easily fitted within kitchen units to optimise space without intruding on the working triangle or overall design aesthetic. The rise in popularity for boiling water taps makes a dedicated area for making hot drinks away from the main prep zone a practical solution."

Darren Taylor, MD of Searle & Taylor, has seen a huge rise in requests for drinks or breakfast stations in their bespoke kitchen designs over the past 5 years. "We would always recommend having one to our customers, ideally with a separate tall pantry larder for storing dry goods with a bookmatched veneer at the back of the cabinet, which then becomes a feature when the glass shelving is lit up. We have designed drinks stations incorporating a small sink and a boiling water tap within a tea station set-up. Alongside bespoke bottle racks for storing red wines, with pull-out chopping boards for cutting bread, and specially created drawers to store individual tea bags and coffee pods."

Emily Newmarch, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, adds: "Customers will definitely see an overall improvement in the flow of the space, keeping the kitchen working efficiently throughout the day. Wine fridges are frequently integrated into these areas, alongside glassware storage, allowing the space to transition seamlessly from a morning coffee station to an evening drinks hub. Upper shelving is typically allocated for cups or additional breakfast essentials, and we often recommend integrating a microwave into this upper section to maximise efficiency."

"We see lots of customers looking to incorporate bars or breakfast stations within their kitchen design, often with a more integrated system that fits within the main kitchen. A countertop cupboard that is deep enough to incorporate a kettle, coffee machine and possibly a toaster, creates a practical breakfast station separate from other kitchen activities," says Helen Parker, DeVol creative director.

Deep pantry cupboards offer generous storage for small appliances with bi-fold  doors allowing the space to be easily opened up when in use but seamlessly closed when not.

According to Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, "a full-length larder or countertop cabinet featuring concertina doors provides the perfect setting. Deep enough to accommodate bulky appliances like a coffee machine on the bottom with ample storage up top for mugs, glasses and dry goods. Location is key when considering where to place a drinks station. Customers looking to set up their dream coffee station will need to consider the practicalities as well as the aesthetics, so close to the sink would be beneficial."

"Retailer feedback tells us that families love the magic of concealment, leaving them more time to relax after mealtimes, knowing everything is seamlessly hidden from view," says Sophie Devonald, designer at Crown Imperial. "We offer a variety of mid and high wall pantries, with a versatile choice of customisable interior configurations including open shelving, wine, plate and door racks, glass holders, and trays to personalise to a customer’s individual needs when it comes to designing a drinks station."