The Ultimate Coffee Setup for Small Spaces
Calling all apartment dwellers!
Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to settle for mediocre coffee, or cluttered counters. In this article, we'll walk you through the ideal compact coffee setup for small-space living. No bulky machines, no wasted space. Just smart gear that brews a beautiful cup.
The Compact Grinder – Big Results, Small Footprint
Counter space is gold in a condo kitchen, so skip the big electric grinders.
Instead, go for a compact manual burr grinder like the Timemore C3S or 1Zpresso K Ultra. These take up almost no space, grind consistently, and easily store in a drawer when you’re done.
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🌀 Timemore C2 – ~$65
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🌀 1Zpresso Q2 – ~$90
Bonus tip: Manual grinders are quieter too—ideal for early mornings when you don’t want to wake the whole place.
The Brewer – Clean, Compact, Versatile
For brewers, you want something compact, low-mess, and easy to stash.
The Hario V60 Switch sits right on your mug, is incredibly forgiving, and makes cleanup super easy.
- Hario V60 Switch ~$25
However, if you're looking for something with a little more aesthetic appeal that you can store on an open shelf, look no further than the CHEMEX. You'll have to master a proper pour over technique to get the most of it, but it's just so pretty.
- Chemex 4-cup brewer ~$25
Kettle & Scale – Function Without the Bulk
Host:
You don’t need a fancy kettle to get the job done.
A basic electric kettle will heat your water quickly and can be tucked away between uses.
Pair it with a compact digital scale to get your ratios right every time."
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🔥 Basic electric kettle – ~$20
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⚖️ Digital kitchen scale – ~$15–30
Pro tip (spoken or on screen):
If you’re using an AeroPress or Clever Dripper, you don’t need a gooseneck kettle.
📦 Segment 4: The Total Condo Setup
[Cut to: Flat lay of all items arranged neatly.]
Host:
"Here’s what your full condo setup could look like—small, affordable, and powerful:"
[On-screen list:]
🟪 Total Cost: ~$130–$160
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Timemore C2 Manual Grinder – $65
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AeroPress or Clever Dripper – $25–$40
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Basic Electric Kettle – $20
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Compact Digital Scale – $15–$30
It all fits inside a single drawer or cabinet, and it brews a better cup than most $5 coffeeshops.
👋 Closing
Great coffee shouldn’t take over your kitchen—or your wallet.
This setup gives you everything you need for café-quality coffee in a small, stylish footprint.
✅ Links to all gear in the description
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💬 Drop your favorite space-saving hack in the comments!
Thanks for reading. And as always, happy brewing!