A coffee bar has two sizes: the space its equipment occupies when everything is put away, and the space you need while making a drink. Plan for the second. A row of appliances that fits perfectly in a photograph can leave nowhere to set down a wet portafilter.
There is no single coffee-bar width that suits every household. Start with your equipment and workflow, then test the result against your available counter. This guide uses a simple side-by-side arrangement so you can check every part of the calculation.
Begin with the width calculation
Add machine width, grinder width, the gap you want between them and a preparation zone. Keep units consistent. If you store the grinder elsewhere, remove both its width and the gap that separated it from the machine.
For a concrete example, De’Longhi’s US comparison chart lists the Dedica Arte EC885M at 5.9 inches wide. Baratza lists the Encore ESP at 13 cm wide, or approximately 5.12 inches. With an illustrative 1-inch gap and a 6-inch preparation zone, that gives 18.02 inches of planned width. On an 18-inch counter it is just over the boundary; on a 24-inch counter it leaves almost 6 inches spare. Do not round a marginal result down and call it a fit.
The De’Longhi manufacturer chart uses W × H × D ordering. The Baratza specification uses W × D × H. Put each measurement in the right column before adding anything.
Depth is a separate constraint
In a single row, take the deeper appliance and add the total extra depth you reserve. You do not add the two appliance depths. The Dedica’s listed 13 inches plus an illustrative 4 inches of extra depth gives 17 inches overall.
That allowance might be divided between a rear cable area and a front working area. The planner does not know where your outlet or backsplash sits. A deep plug, a projecting handle or a decorative rear ledge can reduce the usable area. Measure from the nearest obstruction to the usable front edge, not from wall to wall on a furniture listing.
Height must allow the routine
Use the taller item, then add your chosen overhead allowance. In the example above the Encore ESP is taller than the Dedica. Its 34 cm height plus an illustrative 3 inches is about 16.39 inches. That is a planning envelope, not a guarantee that the hopper or tank can be opened.
Check the lowest point of the cabinet, including lights and trim. Next, check the route a tank, lid or container takes when you remove it. A component may fit when closed and collide with a cupboard while being lifted. Our cabinet-clearance guide explains that distinction.
Decide what stays on the counter
A scale used only while brewing can live in a drawer. A pitcher needs a temporary place during milk preparation, but not necessarily a permanent display spot. Keeping spare mugs in a cupboard may free more working space than switching to a machine that is half an inch narrower.
If your station shares a food-preparation counter, outline the coffee zone with removable tape. Rehearse making breakfast and coffee in sequence. Check whether you can still open the nearby drawer and use the sink without moving hot equipment. This is a planning exercise you can do before purchasing anything.
Compare three counter widths
Our 18-, 24- and 30-inch layouts use published model dimensions and show the same allowances throughout. The smallest example deliberately illustrates a tight boundary. The larger examples show how additional width does not solve a depth or overhead problem.
Open the closest example in the counter planner, replace all three counter measurements, and adjust the preparation zone to your own routine. The result is useful when the inputs reflect how you will actually work.