Bring Coffee Shop Aesthetic Into Your Home
There’s a reason why visiting your local cafe feels like such a treat-yourself moment. With soft, calm lighting, the warm smell of freshly brewed coffee, and artfully designed seating, coffee shops are the perfect space to slow down and relax or meet up with a friend.
That’s likely why cafe core is popping up as one of 2025’s latest interior design trends. Whether it’s a coffee shop down the street from your house in Portland, one you fell for on a trip to San Francisco, or your go-to pick me up in New York City, we spoke with interior designers and home decor experts to help you bring the concept of cafe core into your living space—so no matter the day or hour, you can embrace the ritual behind your morning coffee stop, all without leaving the house.
Bring the coffee shop feel into your home for a relaxing retreat.
What is cafe core?
Cafe core is just as much about evoking the ambiance of your favorite coffee shop as much as it is about the aesthetic. “Cafe core isn’t just a design trend,” shares Kassandra, author of the popular home and decor blog Shabbyfufu. “It’s a feeling, a place where you can escape and take a breath, even for just a few minutes.”
According to interior designer Marie Flanigan, cafe core creates a space that feels effortless, layered, and deeply lived-in. “It’s the comfort of a quiet morning corner, the charm of patinaed surfaces, and the invitation to linger a little longer,” Flanigan says.
Ultimately, cafe core encourages a space that is just as much about connection as it is about solo moments, says home and fashion blogger Annie Diamond. It’s a space to slow down and enjoy the process of your morning coffee as much as the experience of drinking it.
Key features of cafe core
Naturally, cafe core is all about bringing in the details of a well-loved cafe and romanticizing your home life. “Think soft linen cushions, ambient lighting that sets the mood, and natural wood elements that bring warmth and texture to your space,” says Kassandra of Shabbyfufu.
Welcoming seating begs you to sit and stay awhile. “It’s the little things—a worn-in rug underfoot, soft jazz in the background, and greenery that softens the room,” shares the home staging experts at Vert Nook. Ready to embrace cafe core in your own home? Here’s how to incorporate the look.
1. Focus on cozy seating
A banquette can add coziness and maximize seating whether your space is large or small @Marie Flanigan Interiors
To establish the café core vibe, start with sitting areas created from comfy chairs, or your own coffee nook with a small table, recommends decorating and DIY blogger Kristin Sullivan. “In the TV show ‘Friends,’ they gathered in a grouping of comfortable chairs and a couch,” Sullivan winks. “And in ‘Gilmore Girls,’ Luke’s Diner is set with small tables and a counter that welcomes customers in.”
“I love a built-in banquette with plush cushions, paired with a table that feels just right for morning coffee or tea in the evening,” reveals Flanigan.
But whether you’re opting for a small and intimate kitchen nook or tables and chairs designed for conversation, complete your seating set up with a side table for your mug, a basket filled with throws, and a nearby bookshelf to stash your favorite reads, says the interior design blog One Kindesign.
Read more >> Create the perfect reading nook
2. Tactiles, textures, and color are key
Contrasting textures, warm worn woods, and an earthy color palette keep the space soft and inviting.
Our experts were unanimous—textures, tactile experiences, and color play a big role in bringing the feel of cafe core design into your space. The home stagers at Vert Nook recommend starting with warm, grounding tones—mossy greens, clay, oat, and soft gray.
“The key to café core is the sensory details,” adds Matt Bishop, owner of San Francisco furniture hub Maker & Moss. “Think warm drinks in handmade ceramic mugs, and comfortable seating that invites you to settle down with a good book or engage with a friend in a thoughtful tête-à-tête.”
Flanigan agrees: “Warm neutrals, soft woods, aged brass, and hand-thrown ceramics—materials that feel imperfect in the best way,” she says. “I’m drawn to natural linens, matte finishes, and tonal palettes that create a sense of calm and authenticity.”
Choose paint colors with warm undertones and pair with organic patterns and gold or brass finishes @Jaclyn James
Cafe core can also lean more modern if done with intention. Utilize contrasting color palettes that weave in organic elements, with warm brass or gold pulls to tie things together, shares home decor expert Jaclyn James. “My top pick for the cafe core aesthetic has to be marble counters,” James says. “There’s just something about the cool, crisp feel of marble, plus the natural etching that comes with use over time. It’s such a signature look. Pair it with dark cabinets—black is my first choice, but I also love the idea of deep navy or a dark green for that high-contrast vibe.”
Tip: For all-in cafe core, focus on natural materials like wood and leather that develop character with age, Bishop says. “Textures are crucial: they should be eclectic and imperfect.”
3. Create a dedicated coffee station
A home espresso machine is the perfect addition to incorporate a cafe-style vibe to your living space. @Marie Flanigan Interiors
“Nothing brings the cafe feeling home like a coffee bar,” states Diamond. Find some space on your kitchen counter, or use a bar cart or sideboard to get started. Fill out your home coffee bar with the coffee maker of your choice, decorative spoons for mixing sugar and cream, and various syrups, homemaker Brenda Pruitt recommends.
“A built-in coffee bar with concealed storage and open display feels very café core—it turns a daily ritual into a design moment. Pair that with a custom banquette upholstered in a cozy, textural fabric, and you’ve got a space that invites connection and quiet pause.” -Marie Flanigan
“Display it all in one place to create a space to enjoy the moment,” Diamond says. Open shelving that shows off your cups, saucers, and mugs is a luxurious yet surefire way to get that coffee shop aesthetic in your kitchen. “Nothing screams cafe or bistro more than a rail to display your favorite kitchen essentials,” James smiles. “It’s all about those little details that make a kitchen feel like it has its own story.”
4. Finish the look with lights, artwork, and decor
A relaxing wall color, contrasting textures, and a task lamp set up this living room corner as the ideal spot to sit back with a beverage.
The finishing touches of cafe core lay in the details. “Think in terms of comfort and rhythm—where light falls in the morning, where you naturally sit and gather,” Flanigan suggests.
“Layer in comforting objects: a ceramic tumbler, a throw blanket, a calming scent. Then add life with greenery,” says the Vert Nook team. Layering your lighting can also help to define the space, adds Bishop. “Soft ambient light complemented by focused task lighting can be accomplished with up-lights and floor or table lamps.”
“You can also personalize your space with the addition of cafe-inspired artwork,” shares One Kindesign. “If your favorite cafe has local artists’ work displayed on its walls, this would be a great way to bring the feel of your cafe home with you.” Put on subtle background music, like acoustic or indie genres, to further enhance the sensory atmosphere, recommend the team behind trendy Swinging Cafe Doors. “For an added layer of authenticity, you might include elements like double-action café doors or a chalkboard menu. These thoughtful details can transform your space into one that not only resembles your favorite café but perhaps feels even more inviting.”
Plush, worn in leather adds an inviting touch to this well-lit corner. Paired with greenery, knick-knacks, and a cafe-style stool, it’s the perfect spot to settle in.
Pruitt notes soft, billowy curtains for nearby windows and books that invite you to browse are gentle touches that round out cafe core. “Anyone can take a smallish space in their home and create this environment for themselves and those who visit,” she says. “The trick is to create a cozy space with all the details and make the ambiance feel like a warm hug.”
So why should you embrace 2025’s cafe core trend? “Café core is one of those trends that allows you to abandon design ‘rules’ and gives you the freedom to create your own cozy ambience by bringing in elements that evoke a feeling of quietude,” says Vanja Barbul, the woman behind sustainable interior design resource Barbulianno Design.
“A café feels good because it engages all the senses,” Flanigan concludes. “The warmth of the lighting, the textures of worn wood and linen, the quiet hum of conversation or music in the background. To bring that feeling home, design with comfort and rhythm in mind: remember to incorporate layered lighting, tactile materials, and spaces that encourage you to slow down and savor everyday moments.”
