airbnb Archives - Tatertots and Jello

Update a Dated 90’s Kitchen on a Budget

Jen — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 03:42:00 +0000

Update a Dated 90’s Kitchen on a Budget. Bring your kitchen into the new century with these classic ways to refresh!

Update a Dated 90’s Kitchen on a Budget

Hi, friends! If you have been following me for awhile you might know that I love old homes. I remodeled my 1905 cottage and it was a pure labor of love. I was heartbroken to sell it and although it was fun to move into a brand-new home, I always missed that quirky little cottage. So when I had a chance to buy a 1891 home in the middle of Salt Lake City’s Avenues neighborhood, I jumped at the chance. All of the stars aligned and it was a dream-come-true to find our historic home. Since then we have been slowly updating and remodeling the house from top to bottom. One of the first projects that we tackled was our main kitchen.

Adding Timeless Kitchen Features

The last time the home and the kitchen had been remodeled was 1990. Before, the kitchen and the whole home was very dark with brown walls, busy brown granite counters and 90’s modern-ish cabinets. Since I was remodeling the whole home, including transforming the dark and scary basement into a separate apartment, my budget was limited. I’m sharing how I transformed the kitchen from 1990’s Ikea to a timeless home that nods to its 1891 history.

Reflect Your Homes Age in the Detail

I love a historic home, but I hate seeing homes that are stuck in an era. Does that make sense? On the one hand I love when a remodel reflects the home’s age in the materials used but I also think adding some modern elements is key to creating a space that feels fresh and modern but also has elements that could have been in the home when it was built.

Subway Tile is a Classic

Subway tile is a classic element. Some people disagree I know, but subway tile was created around the turn of the century and continues to be a clean, inexpensive element in home design. I’ve written a blog post all about subway tile, its origins and different ways people have used it over the years if you want to give it a read. So when I was designing our 1891 kitchen remodel I knew subway tile would be a great way to bring the classic style of the time our home was built. I brought a little modern element in with a larger subway tile which has a bit of movement to update it.

Open Shelves Create a Sense of Space

Open shelves are also a but of a controversial subject. As I was researching kitchens around the turn of the century I saw that at that time built-in cabinets weren’t very common. Most kitchens had cabinets with shelves. And I wanted to open the upper part of the kitchen up. We took the top kitchen cabinets off completely and replace them with a big planked hood and open shelves. The sweetest wood brackets support the shelves. The arched shape is classic and beautiful. They look like they could have been in the home from the beginning.

Timeless Overhead Pendant Lights Create a Focal Point

In the 90’s remodel, the kitchen was fitted with recessed lights, which is great. Bringing in some pendant lights to ground the island and creates a statement. Oversized globe lights have a classic shape and I only had to add two lights since they are so big and stately. We saved money with the installation by using a kit that let’s you add a pendant light to an existing recessed light. Here’s the article sharing exactly how to do it on this post – How to Add a Pendant Light to a Recessed Light with no Remodeling.

Update an Island With Paint

The wood island had been around since the 1990 remodel and the stain had faded, plus it had a lot of chips and worn parts. I decided to paint the island black to match the finish of the globe pendants. I sanded the small chips and used wood filler to fill in the larger chips. Then I sanded everything down evenly and primed the island with two coats of primer. Then I painted the island, the island cupboard doors and drawers black. The black color grounds the island and contrasts with the wood floors. This summer we plane to refinish the wood floors a much lighter color, which will make the contrast even greater. I think it is going to be beautiful! I will update this blog post with new pictures once that project is done.

Classic Hardware is Timeless

Another way I made the kitchen remodel seem more high-end that the budget was is through adding really high-end hardware. The hardware really elevates the remodel and doesn’t break the bank. I used a beautiful, heavy gold handle with a backplate from Rejuvenation. When you pull the drawers and cabinets you can feel how sturdy and well made the handles are. I kept the original lower drawers and even though I plan to reface those cabinet doors eventually, the handles on those old drawer and cabinet front look great and help gloss over the fact that they are original. For now.

Planking Adds Character

Another element that I brought in was super wide planks that we installed above the subway tile. Planking is an element that people did use at the turn of the century before drywall was invented. And given the age of our home, I thought it was a great way to bring in some character to the upper walls. We saved money by using plywood which we ripped into 10 inch widths, mitered the corners and painted white.

Boxing in Existing Stove Hood

Another way we saved money was building a box that fits over the existing range hood. The range hood was in good shape so we decided to create a box to create a focal point. The planking above the subway tile ties in with the hood so the planks continue all the way across the kitchen wall. We actually kept going past the kitchen with the planking to tie the new family room to the kitchen and planked that whole side of the house. We added a new fireplace in the family room which the planking goes over. I think having the planking go from the kitchen, over the hood, into the family room and over the new fireplace really ties the two rooms together. Originally the family room was the dining room and as I reconfigured all of the rooms, turning the dining room into the family really made more sense. This way the two rooms are joined and it feels like it flows so much better.

Adding a Back Pantry

Another project that we tackled in the kitchen remodel was adding a pantry behind the kitchen. When we bought the home, the room behind the kitchen was a sauna. The people we bought the home from took the sauna out and we had a blank room there. They had a laundry room in the basement, but since we turned the basement into a separate apartment, we needed to bring the laundry room back upstairs. So I separated that room into two sections. One is a new laundry room and the other is a pantry with a little baking station, a retro fridge and a farmhouse sink on a thrifted 1900 bread cabinet. I divided the room into two parts with antique french doors I found online and spent the summer stripping to expose the walnut wood. I love that we can shut the doors when we are doing laundry to keep the pantry quiet, but the sun comes into both sides of the room through the french doors.

Adding a Sense of Continuity to the Pantry

I tied the pantry to the kitchen by painting the pantry cabinets the same color black and using the same hardware.

Adding a Dish Cabinet

Another element that a lot of kitchens had was a dish cabinet. When we bought the house there was an awkward pantry cabinet in-between the two kitchen windows. It was quite deep and it really made the kitchen layout strained because it made working at the stove cramped. We took that cabinet out and replaced it with a much less deep antique cabinet. The cabinet was originally a gun cabinet around 1900. It is painted the same black color as the kitchen cabinets. The top part of the cabinet has open doors. Black and white graphic cement tiles give it a modern update. Being able to see the pretty glass-wear and dishes inside the cabinet is so nice. I keep serving ware and pots on the bottom shelves which are covered by wood doors. I also used the same cement tiles in the pantry to tie the kitchen and pantry together.

A Classic Timeless Kitchen

We love our new classic kitchen! I love how we incorporated classic elements with a modern twist for a kitchen that reflects our love of our 1891 home. We still have some projects that we are working on to make our kitchen even better and more beautiful. Come connect with my on Instagram at @tatertotsandjello, where I share DIY home projects and behind-the-scenes inspiration. I am also a realtor with City Home Collective in downtown Salt Lake City. I help people find their homes and remodel them to make them come to life!

More Remodeling Ideas

Here are a few more projects we have tackled at the 1891 cottage!

How to add a new electric fireplace to your home

How to Add a New Electric Fireplace to Your Home. Fireplaces provide a cozy focal point and heat to your home. How to choose an Electric Fireplace for Your Home.

Our 1891 Airbnb Apartment

Here’s our new airbnb apartment! I love meeting new people and running this little side business!

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

The post Update a Dated 90’s Kitchen on a Budget appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Essential Items for a Successful Airbnb

Jen — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 16:09:00 +0000

Essential Items for a Successful Airbnb. As an Airbnb Superhost, here are items guests love that have helped me achieve over 110 5-star ratings in 18 months!

Essential Items for a Successful Airbnb

Hi friends! We’ve been running our 1891 Cottage Airbnb for about 18 months and it has been a great experience. I get asked all the time how I have been able to retain a 4.99 (out of 5) star rating with over 100 5-star reviews. A little backstory also on how amazing this is since we are: 1. renting a basement apartment and 2. the basement apartment has a really low ceilings.

I still need to write a post sharing how we turned our dark, cramped basement into a light and airy Airbnb. I will do that soon and update this post with a link sharing the construction details! For this post I am focusing on items I use that guests love and links to those items to make it easy for you to access them for your Airbnb or for your own use!

Comfortable New Mattresses

The first thing you should consider when deciding to start an Airbnb is the sleep satisfaction of your guests. The most important item is, of course, a comfortable mattress. And guess what? A comfortable mattress doesn’t have to be super expensive. These are the mattresses we have in our unit and we also bought the king-sized version for the Airbnb I am helping renovate that is also in the Avenues. I’ve also had dozens of guests ask for the link to this mattress because they loved it so much. Here are the reasons why I love these mattresses:

My Favorite Airbnb Mattresses

First of all the price.
12-inch size is a great height.
THREE layers — 2.5″ cooling memory foam, 2.5″ comfortable layer underneath and a 7″ high density support foam for comfort.
No-sink support foam that conforms to your body for pressure relief.
Specialized foam that reduces motion transfer of a partner so sleep remains undistrubed.

High Quality Bedding for an Airbnb

Bedding is the second most important item for a successful Airbnb. Bedding that feels luxurious, is easy to clean and holds up well.

My Favorite Sheet Set for an Airbnb

Good Housekeeping best bedding Award winner.
Deep pockets. Can accommodate up to 16″ mattress.
Temperature Regulating – Moisture-wicking, breathable, & silky to the touch. It’s double brushed microfiber is cozy or cooling, depending on the season.
Quick drying and more durable than cotton. Stain, shrink, fade, wrinkle, & pill-resistant.
Lifetime promise.

Comfortable Airbnb Pillows

Another important item is of course comfortable pillows. I put four pillows on each bed. Two are memory foam and two air down alternative. That way people can configure their sleeping situation to whatever suits and best.

Down Alternative Pillows

Memory Foam Pillows

Pillow core made of down-like microfibre.
These pillows have a high loft, Great for all sleeping styles.
Cooling technology.

Memory Foam Pillows

Finely shredded memory foam creates a really fluffy pillow.
Cooling cover keeps the pillow cool for sleeping.

Cotton Waffle Blankets

We use cotton bed throws on the beds with optional duvets. Duvets can be hot in the summer.

Cotton Bed Throws (PHF 100% Cotton Waffle Weave Blanket Queen Size 90″ x 90″)

Easily washable.
Can be dried quickly.
Bed throws can be layered if a guest feels cold.
Soft, breathable, moisture absorption and warm.
Available in 9 different colors to match your decor.

Noise Canceling Sound Machine

Our Airbnb is in our basement so guests can occasionally hear us walking around during the day. I added a noise-blocking white noise machine to help people sleep better. It’s also great for guests who bring babies who need to nap.

White Noise Machine

24 sounds to choose from – white noise, fans, motors, nature, etc.
30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes timer settings.

Make Your Airbnb Smell Great

Another factor to make your Airbnb appealing is making it smell fresh. Super fragrant smells are frowned upon, but a subtle clean and fresh smell is appealing. I use a diffuser with essential oils. I set up the diffuser on the kitchen counter with a small stand and assorted essential oils. When we clean we turn on the diffuser to cancel out any cooking smells. Then when the guest checks in they have the option to run the diffuser or not. We usually use a lemon essential oil or an orange essential oil. But I have 10 different oils they can use during their stay.

Essential Oil Diffuser With Wood Base

This unit is a knock-off of the $400 Young Living Diffuser.
I love the look of the wood base and glass top. This one has a glass top, but you can also get the same unit with a plexiglass top for less, which is nice so you don’t have to worry about a guest breaking the lid.
7 different colors of LED lights to choose from as well as white.

Set of Essential Oils

My favorite essential oil smells are citrus scents and lavender. But you can order whatever fragrances smell the best to you.

Airbnb Bathroom Tips

Make your bathroom(s) feel as luxurious as possible. Like a high-end Hotel. A double vanity with lots of storage and a place for the towels to be stored feels very high-end. I installed a freestanding tub because I thought people might enjoy soaking in the tub after a day of skiing. I also wanted to make the Airbnb a place that could be long-term rented. So adding a tub seems like a really nice upgrade for an apartment. I also made sure that the bathroom had a lot of light. We installed can lights in the ceiling and really high and bright lights above the mirrors on the vanity.

One thing to know in the bathroom and bedroom is that you need to have doubles of everything. That makes it so much easier to clean because you can take out all of the dirty Linens, blankets, towels, washcloths, robes, slippers and switch them out for the second set so that you don’t have to wait for everything to get washed in order to finish cleaning. Sometimes we have a really quick turnaround of 3 hours and we have multiple loads of laundry so it’s essential to have at least two of everything.Here are some other items that I have in our main bathroom that guests really love:

Essential Airbnb Bathroom Items

Fluffy robes (4 of these)
Washable slippers (4 of these in two different sizes)
Extra large towels (I have 16 towels that I rotate)
High-end washcloths (16 of these)
Black makeup washcloths (8 of these) – having black washcloths that are embroidered with the words makeup on them will save you so much money in terms of having to buy new white washcloths. It’s really worth the investment.
Fabric shower curtain liner (I hate the feeling of a plastic shower curtain liner and they get ruined really easily. So I firmly believe in a high-end fabric shower curtain liner. They are washable) I have two sets of these.
Quality Shower Curtains (2 of these)
High quality hand towels (I have two hooks next to the vanity and I hang the fresh hand towels on those) 4 of these.
Complimentary expensive and great smelling shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. I use Beekman brand.
Hotel quality dispensers. I hung the dispenser with the shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner on the wall of the shower so that it’s easily accessible while people are showering.
Pretty dispenser on vanity with lotion and soap.

In Unit Washer and Dryer

Of course, you don’t need an in unit washer and dryer in your Airbnb to be successful. But there are a lot of people that have been traveling and would like to do some laundry and having an in-unit washer and dryer can be a reason for your unit to get booked over a competing Airbnb. I started off with a really basic apartment washer and dryer. I bought it used and that was a mistake.

Don’t Skimp on a Used Washer Dryer Unit

So if you are going to add an in unit washer and dryer, I really recommend buying a new set. I spent a little more money and got a nicer high quality Samsung stackable unit. It has a lot more upgrades than the typical apartment size washer and dryer. Things like it hooks up to an app that you can access on your phone to see when your load is done or start it remotely. It also has more Cycles and it’s quieter.

Make Your Airbnb Kitchen Stand Out with Unique Details

Another reason we are almost always completely booked out is that we have some special upgrades. One of the biggest ones is colorful, sleek appliances. I love the look of SMEG fridges but not the price tag. I found these SMEG dupe fridges for about 1/3 of the price. These fridges come in a few different colors – Mint (which is the color I picked), light blue, white, cream, red and black. I have the black one in my butler’s pantry. My fridges are from a brand called “Unique” but I linked to similar ones that you can order from Amazon that are very similar and come in similar colors. Here here is the unit that I have in my Airbnb:

SMEG Fridge Dupe

Retro Compact Refrigerator uses R600a high-efficiency and low-energy consumption compressor, it can cool food quickly with lower energy. Leveling legs can adjust feet and keep level placement anywhere.
Compact size which fits almost anywhere and is perfect for an Airbnb.
Separate fridge and freezer with two doors.
A handy space on the door for canned beverages.

Add a Matching Colorful Toaster

I also brought the same mint color in with a cute colorful toaster. I also love the SMEG toasters, but for $200 each they didn’t fit into my Airbnb budget. The toaster I found is the same size, comes in several different colors for less than $40.

Colorful SMEG Dupe Toaster

Comes in mint, yellow, stainless, pink, cream and white.
You can order the two slice or four slice toaster.
Extra-wide slots can accommodate bagels.
Bagel feature that only toasts on one side.
6 different heat settings
Defrost setting which is great for frozen waffles.

Add Thoughtful Kitchen Details

I added links below to almost all items I use. These are items I have in my unit that make the kitchen very usable and aesthetically pleasing. Think about how guests might use the space while they are staying. Will they be making cookies? How about frozen drinks? Maybe a big Thanksgiving dinner (and yes! we have had guests cook big Thanksgiving dinners and Easter dinners in our unit).

Sink with Space-Saving Accessories

And if your unit is small, consider adding a sink that has a built-in space for a cutting board and draining board!

Sink with Cutting Board, Strainer and Sink Guard.

Essential Kitchen Items

Pots – you need at least three different sized pots. One small one that is big enough to make a package of ramen. A medium sized one and a large one that can cook a big package of spaghetti.
Pans – you will need at least 2-3 pans. One that is small for cooking an egg for 1 person. A larger pan that can cook eggs for 4 people. And a large pan that can cook stir fry.

Casserole Dish – I have two casserole dishes. I that is a square one without a lid that can cook a small casserole for 2 people. I also have a pink casserole dish that has a lid and can be use on the stove or put in the oven. This one is big enough for a casserole for 4 people.

A baking sheet for cookies.
A larger baking pan for a small turkey. My compact oven that I put in came with this.
A water pitcher.
A water filter pitcher. Some people want filtered water and will deduct stars for a unit that doesn’t have one.
6 medium sized glasses.
4 small wine glasses.
1 set of silverware (at least 4 place settings worth).
At least three different sizes of sharp knives – a large one for cutting, a paring knife, a bread knife.
4 steak knives.

A napkin holder ( I use a small size napkin holder that holds small square cocktail sized napkins). I keep this on one of the shelves in the kitchen. n
A large salad bowl.
A set of 4-6 place settings of dishes – large plates, small plates and bowls that all match and stack neatly.
Pot holders
6 kitchen towels

An olive oil and vinegar set

A small spice rack with spices

Salt and Pepper shakers.
I also keep extra olive oil and vinegar in a cabinet under the counter so guests can refill them themselves in case they need to do that.
A lidded sugar dish (guests will use this to sweeten all sorts of things. I keep mine out on a shelf so it is easily seen)
Lidded canisters for flour and sugar. Guests will use these to bake and also to make food.
A lidded butter dish.

A Coffee Bar is Essential

Even if you don’t personally drink coffee, most people do. I created a hot chocolate/coffee/snack bar station in the hallway of our unit. Here’s what I keep at that station.

Keurig coffee machine
Assorted Coffee Pods
Coffee pod organizer – for pods, creamers, tea bags, sweeteners.
Electric Kettle

Coffee press
Coffee Whisk
Coffee Mugs and holder
Instant coffee
Assorted sweeteners
Non-refrigerated creamers
Assorted tea bags
Snacks underneath – ramen, granola bars, pop tarts, etc.

And I also have a FREE COFFEE BAR PRINTABLE SIGN – just download it, print it off and add a frame for an instant coffee bar sign!

A Dedicated Work Space is Essential

Having a dedicated work space is essential for a successful Airbnb. There are so many people who can work from home. You are bound to have guests who need a work space. I put a small desk with a plush chair in one of the bedrooms. We have had several guests stay for a month or longer. They work from home and then ski after work and on the weekends.

Comfortable Desk with a Drawer

Plush Office Chair

I love that this office chair is inexpensive, so cute, comfortable and comes in so many colors.

Adjustable heights.
Caster allow the chair to move 360-degrees.
Quiet.
Comes in 8 different colors.

Smart Televisions

Smart televisions eliminate the need for cable. If you use smart tv’s in your airbnb, guests can sign into their existing accounts like Netflix, HBO, etc, eliminating the need for Chromecast or Roku devices. All you need is internet and a smart TV and you are all set. I use wall mounts to save on space.

Smart TV

No-Stud TV Wall Mount

This is my FAVORITE tv wall mount ever!! I’ve used it to hang 3 tvs and it is so easy!

Slim space, only comes out from the wall 1.1″, which looks very clean.
You don’t need to mount it to studs which takes all of the guess work out!
You can literally hang a tv on the wall in under 3 minutes.
If you need to move the tv to a different wall, there are only nail holes so it is very easy to patch.
It hangs tvs from 13″ to 55″.

An OutDoor Area

Your space might not allow an outdoor area for your Airbnb, but if you can carve out a small space, guests will appreciate being able to access a private area during their stay. We had a small area on the side of our house that we turned into a private space for our Airbnb. I used a portable patio system to install a deck. It only took about 1 hour to put the deck together. And the great thing is that it can be disassembled and moved. Here are the items that I used to create this pretty, private outdoor space:

I hope this guide was helpful and sharing some of the items that I have incorporated into our successful Airbnb. It’s been a wonderful experience and I love meeting people from all over the world. I will share another post with the construction details and how we created our Airbnb from a small cramped basement into a light and bright welcoming space!

Pin These Ideas for Later!

Let me know if you have any questions! Comment below and I will try to answer any questions you have!

Have a beautiful day!

xoxo

The post Essential Items for a Successful Airbnb appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Choosing Faucets for Our Airbnb Remodel

Jen — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 05:41:05 +0000

This post is sponsored by Peerless Faucet. All opinions are my own.

Choosing Faucets for Our Airbnb Remodel. Updating our 1891 home and adding an airbnb with a new bathroom and kitchen on the bottom floor.

Choosing Faucets for Our Airbnb Remodel

You guys! Our airbnb is almost done! We’ve been working on it for a year and it’s so exciting to see it come to life. We put so much thought and planning into designing the space. I am super excited to give you a sneak peek! We partnered with Peerless Faucet and I love how the faucets look in the space! If remodeling a big project seems overwhelming, I am sharing how to break it down into easy steps to bring your vision to life!

Start with a Pinboard

When we bought our 1891 Cottage I was so excited at the thought of restoring the home and bringing it into the future. The home hadn’t been remodeled since the late 1980’s when it was converted from apartments beck to a single-family home. I started by creating a Pinterest board for the home and mood boards for each room.

Then Create a Specific Mood Board for Your Remodel

A pinterest board is a great way to pin room ideas and products you like so you can see how the elements look together. Once I narrowed down the overall design, I created mood boards for the future airbnb kitchen and bathroom.

Choosing a Faucet for the Airbnb Kitchen

As I was designing the kitchen, I knew I wanted a wall-mounted faucet. We picked the Elmhurst by Peerless Faucet which is the same faucet we put in our pantry. I love the clean lines!

The faucet is one of the first things guests see when they walk in our new airbnb and it really gives the space a special feeling.

I chose classic chrome for the kitchen faucet, but the Elmhurst faucet also comes in oil rubbed bronze and stainless. The shape of the Elmhurst faucet matches the arc of the Westchester faucet that we put in the upstairs kitchen. I love bringing that continuity throughout the house.

Airbnb Bathroom Remodel

We created a luxurious bathroom in what was our old laundry room. I wanted to upgrade the apartment by putting in a beautiful tub.

A black tub to complement the Zander wide-spread faucets and shower head.

Xander in matte black really pops against the white subway tile and marble countertops! I love the way they look paired with the pretty tub and the classic hex black and white tile we installed. The modern lines of the Xander fixtures by Peerless are beautiful and really catch your eye when you walk in the room.

I chose matte black and it really pops against the white subway tile and marble countertops! I love the way they look paired with the pretty tub and the classic hex black and white tile we installed. The modern lines of the Xander fixtures are beautiful and really catch your eye when you walk in the room.

I feel that the Xander line of hardware is simple and striking and it would blend in with many different decorating styles!

Peerless Faucet in Our Upstairs Remodel

We also partnered with Peerless in the kitchen and pantry of our 1891 upstairs home. You can check out the post for more details on that space too!

Our Pantry and Kitchen Remodel

I hope you will follow along with our #1891AvenuesCottage remodel as we continue to update this vintage home! You can find out more about Peerless on their website! And on the Peerless social channels:

Peerless Faucet on Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

The post Choosing Faucets for Our Airbnb Remodel appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Coffee and Snack Bar Cart Upcycle

Jen — Wed, 26 May 2021 02:10:11 +0000

Coffee and Snack Bar Cart Upcycle. Create a beverage and snack station for guests by painting a vintage cart and giving it new life!

Coffee and Snack Bar Cart Upcycle

If you’ve been following me on instagram @tatertotsandjello you might have seen some behind-the-scenes stories about the Airbnb we are building on the bottom floor of our home! It’s been quite the adventure since our home was built in 1891. But we are almost done with it and I am so excited!!

Airbnb Coffee Bar Cart

I knew I wanted to create a coffee and snack station for the new rental space. When we have stayed in Airbnb’s we have loved it when they had drinks and snacks for us. So when my neighbor had an estate sale, I grabbed a vintage wood rolling cart with the idea of turning it into a coffee cart!

Upcycling Ideas

Be sure to scroll down to see these amazing upcycling ideas from my friends too!

Refinishing an Older Wood Cart

My neighbor’s cart was in pretty bad shape. It looks like it had been left outside for quite awhile which isn’t a good idea with wood. I knew it would take some work but I love the lines of the cart which are perfect for our 1891 home!

Clean Off the Cart

The first thing I did was cleaned the cart. I used a mixture of water with a little detergent to get the layers of dust off of the surface.

Sand the Cart

Then I used my Ryobi hand sander to sand the cart. The edges were a little tedious and I had a hard time getting everything off but I did the best I could.

Use a High Quality Primer

Rustoleum Everything primer is really high quality and can cover a lot of imperfections. I initially bought 1 can but I ended up using FOUR cans of the primer because the wood really sucked it up. I ended up putting about 6 layers of primer on the cart.

Use a Flat or Chalk Paint to Cover Imperfections

Since the cart still had a lot of imperfections, I used a chalk spray paint which covers well and the finish is soft so it blurs imperfections, whereas a semi-gloss or gloss paint would emphasize the imperfections. I also cut a new shelf for the slot where there used to be a shelf. So this gave me more storage surface.

What Items to Include in a Coffee Bar Cart

I really thought about the different people that might be staying in our space and what they might want to drink and snack on. There could be couples but there could also be children. And there are people who drink coffee, people who prefer tea and those who would like a cup of cocoa, especially after a long day of skiing. These are the things I included in our cart:

Coffee Machine

I decided to use a Keurig Single Cup machine. I like the smaller size and I also like that you fill up the water container after each drink which ensures that the water is always fresh. Plus I like the single cup Keurig inserts because you can find almost any flavor or type of drink.

Coffee Creamer

I added some coffee creamer cups which don’t need to be refrigerated. I also have a container for sugar.

Electric Kettle

When we were on our girls’ trip to England and Scotland, almost every Aribnb had an electric kettle. I found them so charming and easy to use. They are perfect for tea as well as instant coffee and I learned to love instant coffee on that trip. I included some high-quality instant coffee and tea bags on the cart to be used with the kettle.

Hot Beverage Cups

I have three types of coffee cups on the cart. The traditional large ceramic cups, smaller ceramic espresso cups and thermal cups for on-the-go!

Hot Drink Frother

A frother is a great item to include on your coffee cart. My kids love these frothers for all kinds of drinks. You can froth milk for your hot chocolate or for your mocciotos.

What Kinds of Items Do You Include in a Snack Cart?

I decided to include a few non-perishable snack items for our guests. Here are the things I included:

Breakfast Items

I think it might be nice for our guests to have a couple easy breakfast items to have in addition to their morning coffee or hot chocolate. I included a bin of granola bars and a bin of instant oatmeal and fruit roll ups.

Late Night Snack Items

For guests that have been gone skiing or at conferences all day I thought it would be nice to have some items for late-night snacking. I included a variety of cookies, chips and popcorn to make for movie watching. I also included a few packs of ramen for the guests who come back to the Airbnb and who are too tired to venture out to find dinner some nights.

Sparkling Water

I also included some cans of sparkling water which might be nice for guests who prefer that to the tap water at the unit.

Free Coffee Bar Printable

I created a little coffee bar sign that says — Help Yourself * Coffee Bar * And Snack Station. Feel free to print it out and frame one for your house!

Click on this link — Free Coffee Bar Printable Sign to download and print this off!

Coffee Bar For Home

Don’t feel like you can only use a coffee cart if you have an airbnb like me. A coffee bar is perfect for regular use too! Especially if you have limited counter space! You can put all of your coffee appliances and items on the cart and free up your kitchen counters! I also love that the items are so accessible since most people drink coffee daily. I have also seen people put their microwaves on the bottom of the carts and that can also free up space in your kitchen.

Coffee Carts and the New Bar Carts

Coffee Carts are actually really popular right now and are taking over the bar cart market. I think because more people drink coffee on a regular basis that sere cocktails. I also love using a bar cart as a hot cocoa station for kids during the winter. You can switch it up and have a lemonade station for your kids this summer and they will love that!!