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The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip)

By 07/17/2016February 21st, 201744 Comments

The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip) | Maria Killam

via Pinterest

Since it seems like EVERYONE has a pod coffee machine because it’s the latest and greatest convenience, I thought I’d show you how I styled them last week AFTER a photo shoot. Not to be confused with the image I created for Pinterest and Instagram 😉 😉

First, here is what my clients butlers pantry looked like before it was styled for the shoot:

The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip) | Maria Killam

This pantry was designed by my friend Jan Romanuk and built and installed by Quality Cabinets on the North Shore (same company who built my kitchen cabinets). I have a before pic here somewhere but haven’t found it yet.

My clients are very busy, one is a lawyer, and the other, a scientist, so this project was a long one, it started about 3 1/2 years ago, which is why my before pics seem to be missing. The kitchen floor was existing, it’s brown tile.

The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip) | Maria Killam

AFTER Photography by Airisa Photography

Last Monday, I spent the entire day styling my clients condo in False Creek for the photo shoot of the powder, living, dining, bedroom and office which happened on Tuesday. My new assistant Kelly and I were exhausted and I didn’t leave the condo until 8:00 pm on Monday night.

And just before you think all these styling ideas just fall out of my brain, they don’t. I always look for inspiration images before I start styling anything.

The prettiest butlers pantry I found was this one from Alice Lane Home:

The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip) | Maria Killam

Notice the tray?  Trays do for kitchens and bathrooms what coffee table books do for every other flat surface in your house where you want to create a vignette.

Take that little knick knack that you found on vacation that you’re worried now looks a little too much like a trinkets, place it on a stack of books. . . suddenly you’ve transformed it into an accessory.

See this lizard on this coffee table book (below)? If it was placed alone on a table it doesn’t look nearly as great as it does placed on the book which almost makes it look like it jumped out of the book because the colours are so great! My long-time readers will have heard this before so this advice is for those of you new to the blog!

The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip) | Maria Killam

Styled by Maria Killam

When I’m styling for any project, I shop for books by colour. In fact, you can go here and purchase books by the foot, just for colour.

For the most recent installation this past Thursday that I posted sneak peeks of on Instagram, I went to a thrift store and bought black, white and blue books. An idea Traci Zeller gave me when I saw her at High Point in the Spring. If you’re shopping for books strictly for colour, no need to pay full price.

The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip) | Maria Killam

Styled by Maria Killam

I brought white hydrangeas from my garden, a slim white vase to display them from my house and I used my clients San Pellegrino bottles along with some fabulous blue glasses, I found as well as dish towels that picked up the turquoise and blue artwork.

The backsplash is painted glass but not colourful, so I brought two pieces of framed artwork to layer on top. Wood always adds warmth to white, therefore the carved wooden bowl was added to this vignette which was repeated in the bowl of nuts.

The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip) | Maria Killam

The teal art behind the bird had a clear glass matt, so we taped white paper behind it to make it look brighter leaning against the neutral glass backsplash. I borrowed the nuts and miniature faux lemons and limes from a vignette in my house.

I spent the weekend prior to the shoot, shopping for accessories. I hit two HomeSense stores close to where I live, this way whatever my client is not keeping is easier to return. Also I like shopping at HomeSense for accessories because I don’t get the hairy eyeball when I arrive with a cartload of stuff to return. Keep in mind, I originally bought four cartloads, so that’s how styling works. You always need more than you’ll actually use.

Now, are my clients going to live like this everyday? No.

So I placed their Keurig machine back on the countertop with the grinder right beside it (below), replaced the styled items in the square white bowls with their Keurig pods, on the silver mirrored tray which elevated everything! We kept the glasses everyone can use (or you could display mugs as well) and the teal artwork, also adds a hit of colour and won’t get in the way of real life.

The Best Way to Display your Keurig or Nespresso Coffee Pods (A Styling Tip) | Maria Killam

And don’t forget the colourful tea towels! I sent this snap to my clients and they loved it, so that’s how it stayed, styled for real life.

So my suggestion to pretty up your countertop around your pod machine? Nix the pod holder, it’s not attractive, and pull some attractive bowls out of your cabinets, you probably have something pretty already and then find a tray to display them on.

Over to you my lovelies? How do you display your coffee pods? My clients obviously grind their own except for the occasional time when they’ll grab a pod (this is for those of you that will talk about landfills, I get it) I still have an espresso machine, an old Saeco and am looking for a new one. Any recommendations would be great!

Next weekend Terreeia and I are doing a road trip up to Osoyoos, BC, where we’re staying at a winery and hoping to get some sun since it’s been missing from Vancouver this summer.

Sign up here for any of my 5 fall Specify Colour with Confidence workshops. Transform the way you decorate and understand colour in 2016!

Related posts:

How to Style a Kitchen for a Photo Shoot 3 Rules to Follow

Style your Home like the Pros by Using the Triangle Principle

Photo Shoot in Morgan Creek

44 Comments

  • Mary-Illinois says:

    Hi Maria,
    I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to my local HomeGoods & a designer’s van was in the parking lot. It seems to be a popular place for designers to shop.
    Can you believe I have a 25yr old Mr Coffee? Sad, right?

  • Mid America Mom says:

    Love that blue! Recently we changed our method to a chemex which is lovely. Canisters come to mind.

  • Mia Coman says:

    What a nice place decorated! I love hydrangeas, white towel and paintings.
    Almost feel … the coffee !!!
    A good start into the new week, Mia

  • Adelaide says:

    Hi Maria. May i ask why the styling happened? I can’t get my head around this. You have created a spectacular area, photographed it, and then returned it to the way the clients will live in real life?
    I’m from down under, maybe we look at the world differently LOL.
    Before all your fans jump to your defence, let me assure you I am one of them, and this is just a question from my curiosity. Books by spine colour also
    has me scratching my head.

    • Bert says:

      I wondered the same, Adelaide. To me it looks just as nice for “everyday” living. And never would i go out and buy books just for the jacket colours. Even at a discount….

    • Maria Killam says:

      You mean the first picture? because it looks way nicer than a photograph that would include the Keurig coffee machine, It didn’t occur to me to write this post until after I left my clients condo which is why I don’t have a picture with the Keurig machine in it but the ‘real’ one with the grinder, does have the Keurig machine beside it.
      Hope that clarifies it 🙂
      Maria

    • Julie says:

      There seems to be a lot of “styling” going on lately, I’m also seeing it on Apartment Therapy (eg. a bathroom styled with books and nice rugs…hmmm). I assume it is for the purposes of photos, blogs, instagram, etc… not life. I believe Maria wants to teach (among many other things) designers how to promote themselves and photo vignettes are appealing to many.
      I am not a designer or photogratper, but I do get real life inspiration from “styling”. I have books, so I use them artfully on a mantle or end table that previously looked bare. Styling photos also help me arrange the other pretty objects I already have around. I no longer see any such arrangement as permanent, it’s all in flux based on season, inspiration, whatever. On the other hand, in real life I like things a little less cluttered and grouped in a practical way (books in the living room, not the bathroom).
      And while I get why people are offended by the idea of books as pretty objects rather than Important Reading Material, if I saw something with a really appealing cover at a yard sale, maybe I’d buy it… why not?

  • Jean says:

    My question, too, about books by color?? English teachers everywhere are screeching, “Noooooooo”! Blasphemy! Don’t get me wrong, I love Maria’s work and learn so much from her. Anecdote alert~ My husband used to work for the company that made books for Book of the Month Club–that goes way back! Employees were able to purchase books for 25 cents, and we happily filled up bookshelves all over the place. All the books were exactly the same size because rolls of paper went in one end of a machine and uniform books came out the other end. A visitor looked at my brimming bookshelves and asked, “Have you read all these”? Uh…well I … (Reminded me of child in Emperor’s new clothes, or as they say “Busted”!)

  • Elle says:

    I keep my pods in a glass jar w/silver lid – can’t remember the name but it’s from Ikea, I use them for everything. I think they look great and the pods are v easy to access.

  • Mairi says:

    I have a surplus of clear glass bowls so when I need something contained but accessible without the contents on full display, I paint the inside of one- the same concept as their back-painted glass backsplash. It always looks fabulous and is a great way to add an unusual accent colour to a vignette. And it is fun to give new life to otherwise unused items.
    I am a French coffee press user myself, so no pods here 😉

  • Heidi says:

    I hate the idea of buying books by colour, all my two thousand + books were bought and read for their content.

    • Maria Killam says:

      But then you’d have enough books that could be styled to look amazing 🙂 Some people don’t have them or use kindles these days. If you have bookshelves especially in a very visual place like your living room, bookshelves don’t look right with just accessories and no books.

  • Joyce says:

    PLEASE, Maria, more on styling. It’s amazing how those little touches can help to refresh a room, and lift your spirits.
    Especially “functional” touches to the kitchen counter and the bath.
    Joyce

  • Maddie says:

    I love my Saeco, it makes great coffee.I won’t replace it til it dies. Love the pics, I am always looking for inspiration for my butlers pantry. It faces the garage/kitchen entrance, between the kitchen and the dining room. It can quickly become a dumping ground!

  • Barb says:

    Books aren’t the only stackable items. I have a stack of 3 adult board games in their boxes on one of my great room counters. It adds touches of red and turquoise to my room and it is more of my personality. And sometimes they attract guests to the point that they want to play.

  • mrsben says:

    Never drink coffee Maria, so sorry I am absolutely of no help re a machine however I am definitely stealing the wine storage idea …. ☺. LUV the way you styled the pantry and as am getting ideas for upgrading my kitchen could you share what was behind the door that you styled with the tea towel? (Thank you.)
    -Brenda-
    P.S.: Have fun next weekend!

  • Sandi Davis says:

    Where did you get the tray with the gold handles? I need that! 🙂

    • Maria Killam says:

      The tray is silver and it came from HomeSense as did everything else on that countertop. Easier to return if necessary, as I said in the post! Thanks for your comment!

  • Sandy says:

    Beautiful pantry, Maria! I love the shot from Alice Lane Home too! There are many great styling suggestions here. I also love the use of the art mixed in with the functional kitchen items. What happened to the coffee machine? I like to keep my pods within reach of my Nespresso machine. Is it on another counter, or behind the cupboard door?

    • Maria Killam says:

      Yes the coffee machine is there beside the grinder, you can’t see it because it didn’t occur to me to write this post until AFTER I’d left my clients home already. That pic I sent to them to approve the styling items I was suggesting they keep so that’s why I even had that one.
      Thanks for your comment!

  • Claudia Rydel says:

    Like the colors you added that make a functional area stylish! I recently bought a Bunn My Cafe, it will use ground coffee, pods, or K Cups. I have limited counter space and usually use the ground coffee, but keep the K Cups in the drawer under the coffee maker.

  • Angela Taylor says:

    I have had a couple of coffee machines over the years but my favourite is my Nespresso machine. I keep my pods in a ceramic canister…out of sight;)

  • Tamara H L says:

    I did a coffee bar in my kitchen. Wish I could send you photos on this blog. It is all walnut with an accessory garage for my toaster and Nespresso cappuccino/espresso machine. The pods go in a drawer in front of the garage, above the trash and recycling pullout. It is very efficient and clean looking. The Nespresso pods are recyclable, I just drop them free of charge in a pouch at UPS.

  • Fran says:

    A beautiful restyling of your client’s butlers pantry, Maria! Love the tea towel, bowls and pretty tray!

  • Dee says:

    absolutely beautiful styling, maria!!
    as for the pods, i really don’t like seeing them at all. since my kitchen is small, i try to keep the bare minimum on my counters, also. so, when i purchased a keurig, i needed a solution for pod storage. since i already keep a le creuset dutch oven on the stove, that’s where i hide the pods!

  • Mary Jane Sorensen says:

    Hi Maria,

    Gorgeous styling! Your clients coffee station looks fabulous! If you are in the market for a new coffee machine try the Jura I have had mine for a number of years and love it!
    Wishing you a Teerria a wonderful time in Osoyoos hope our weather gets better for you.

  • mary says:

    I’ve had my small (hotel size) old fashioned coffee machine for 13 years, and I can’t justify replacing it with a larger, more expensive keurig machine that more than likely won’t last as long. When it does break, (which will probably be never), I would like to replace it with a Nespresso machine as I would like the look of a Nespresso machine on my counter more than those less attractive looking Keurig machines. And I would definitely keep the pods and any other coffee accessories hidden from view. That being said, the Nespresso machine I want takes up a lot of space and costs $500.00. So I would have to rearrange my counters to make the machine fit, and my husband scoffs at the idea of paying so much for a coffee machine. Doing the math doesn’t help- it would cost about $200/yr. to drink espresso when it only costs $84/yr. now to drink organic, fair trade coffee that has just been freshly ground. I guess the idea of a fancy coffee machine sounds really nice- not sure if it will be worth it. I might rather spend the money on decorating my house.

  • Thea says:

    I drink instant coffee and have for years. I got sick and tired of having to clean out all the parts of the various different coffee machines…so, now it’s an electric water kettle and a spoon…scalding hot…mmm, delicious.

  • Oh Maria what a wonderful informative post! You come up with the best ever subjects. All of your styling is perfect! What makes styling interesting is organizatoin. You have put everything together in order as far as color, size, height, etc. The average person does not realize what makes a room so attractive or the thought and work that goes into it. You are such a good teacher and you make everything so clear and sound so easy! You are by far the best teacher and designer that I know!

  • Connie says:

    I hope you will continue to show styling before and after and/or ideas. They are so helpful and inspirational. I liked the styling and seeing how you did it, but it felt too crowded for my taste…even with the containers. I need my blank space. My coffee machine is on the counter but everything else related to it in the drawer below, containerized of course. So I have my blank space.

    1
  • Linda says:

    I love doing a coffee station in a kitchen and you did a great job here. I also love the link to ‘books by the foot’ – what a great idea (especially the ones in white covers). The other ‘trick’ is to turn the spines to the back of the shelf, so the paper edges show to the front.. this keeps it neutral if you don’t want to add more colour to the shelf-scaping. This may have been mentioned in some of the comments, but I didn’t have time to read through, so this may be a repeated tip. Good post.. as always Maria!!

  • carolann says:

    so cute about the books by colour… I brought all my “I do not want these design books” to my store for the floor stager to use a few months ago… made her the happiest stager… she took all the covers off and used them all over the store by colour with each room look… we always use colour, its just the way design goes…

  • I don’t know which I like better, your colour advice, or your styling advice! Both are superb!
    Thanks so much for the books by the foot link, I’ve been searching for something like this for hot pink books!
    Thank you xo

  • Jenny says:

    I have a keurig machine, but rarely use pods, ( I keep a few decaf ones around for when my Mom comes around to visit ). What we use are reusable coffee pods, I grind my own beans , different kinds , (I’m not brand loyal), and when I am done with the grounds I dump them either in the compost or straight out to the rose garden.

  • Deb says:

    I keep my pods in the cradle of a vintage-inspired kitchen scale.

  • Kelli says:

    Why would you need a grinder when you have the pods?

  • AnneElise says:

    Anyone for a spot of tea? Coffee is occasional in my house, my favorite new thing is an Aeropress, which needless to say stays in the cupboard. But, teapot(s), tea canisters, creamers…those need to be front and center. The day cannot be faced without a lovely cuppa.

  • D, Gibbs says:

    Nespresso Pixi is a small and attractive machine. Sometimes you find a sale which includes a hot milk frother..I don’t own one only because I’d drink WAY too much coffee. I love my Bonavita Thermal Carafe Coffeemaker. It’s simple and compact with my limited counterspace.
    Did a lot of research on both items and both are highly rated.

  • Cindy Huntress says:

    In the one room of my home that is decorated in contemporary styling I have my books organized by spine color because it is less visually busy that way. Blocks of color are trendy, calmer and fit the theme. I can also emphasize one color if I want to. It does make it harder to find the book you want though, ha! I keep my pods in the pantry. I’d rather have the counter space.

  • Marianne says:

    This was a really enjoyable post. I’ve got a coffee bar in a part of my kitchen obscured from view from outside the kitchen by the frig. Both Keurig and Saeco machines (love this old work-horse!) sit next to each other on the counter, with pods, Splenda packets, and small accessories in the shallow drawer below, and bags of beans, mugs, travel cups, etc. in one of the two deeper drawers below that. It’s a super arrangement for us, with the frig easily accessible for creamer. My family has its share of slobs, so this keeps the kitchen looking good even if they made a mess with morning coffee. 🙂

  • Like how you’ve used simple bowls for the coffee pods, and yet the fact that the bowls are sitting on a tray gives them a much more elegant look. Great tip so thanks for sharing

  • cove says:

    you have a magic touch, Maria, and i love your vignettes! i hide my pods in the le crueset dutch oven i keep on a back burner of my stove. that means one less thing on the counters in my smaller kitchen.

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