10 Creative Coffee Designs You’ll Actually Want to Buy

If you’ve ever wished your morning coffee routine could be faster, more beautiful, or just plain cooler, you’re not alone. Coffee isn’t just a drink anymore—it’s a lifestyle, and designers around the world have taken notice. From kitchen tools to unexpected collaborations, there’s a growing wave of clever, functional, and fun coffee-related designs that solve real problems or simply bring joy to your cup.

Out of the 10 standout coffee designs featured by Dezeen, the fastest way to espresso is the Piamo microwave machine (30 seconds), while the most unusual might be the coffee-powered battery or a beer that tastes like coffee. Whether you want efficiency, aesthetics, or just something weirdly wonderful, there’s something here for every coffee fan.

1. Piamo: The 30-Second Microwave Espresso Maker

The Piamo, developed by Germany’s Gemodo Coffee and Lunar Europe, is the world’s first microwave espresso machine. It looks like a stacked cup system—made of a water tank, filter, filter lid, and cup—and brews a shot of espresso in just 30 seconds. You fill the water reservoir, add coffee grounds or a pod to the filter, stack everything, and microwave. The steam pushes water through the coffee into the bottom cup. No machine, no hassle, just espresso.

2. Imperial Drip: The Four-Hour Cold Drip Coffee Maker

From the opposite end of the speed spectrum, the Imperial Drip by American brand Proper Coffee takes around four hours to brew a pot—but for good reason. Designed by founder Bill Abbe, it uses a laser-cut steel frame holding two plastic brewers, with water dripping through copper tubing over coffee grounds. The slow, cold process reduces acidity and enhances smoothness, resulting in a rich, low-acid cup. It’s not quick, but it’s intentional.

3. Good Morning Moka Pot & Tuamotu Hob: A Stylish Espresso Setup

This Norwegian-designed moka pot set by Andersson & Voll includes a bright yellow aluminum stovetop moka pot and a white marble cooking surface, styled like a tiny Japanese-inspired hearth. The marble isn’t just pretty—it emphasizes the sculptural quality of the pot. It’s a handsome, small-batch-style setup for those who appreciate both function and form.

4. Espresso Solo: Concrete Espresso Machine

Industrial design student Shmuel Linski created the Espresso Solo, which houses standard metal espresso machine parts inside a block of concrete. The rough, heavy concrete exterior contrasts sharply with the precision-engineered metal components, creating an industrial yet refined aesthetic. It’s a statement piece for concrete enthusiasts and design nerds alike.

5. Paul Smith’s Colorful Cylinda Coffee Pot

To celebrate Stelton’s 50th anniversary, British designer Paul Smith reimagined the classic 1967 Cylinda stainless steel coffee pot by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen. While the original featured a sleek black plastic handle, Smith added 12 vibrant color options—from bright to soft pastels—for a playful yet timeless update. It’s the same iconic shape, now with personality.

6. Bookman Bike Cup Holder: Coffee on the Go

Swedish bike accessory brand Bookman designed a practical coffee cup holder that clamps onto any bicycle handlebar. It features two spring-loaded rings (in different sizes) to cradle various takeaway cups securely, even the tapered ones. The bright colors add flair, and the simple spring-and-ring mechanism keeps your coffee stable while you ride. Ideal for commuters who refuse to give up their caffeine fix.

7. Slim Cup: Space-Saving Coffee Cups

Israeli designer Sharona Merlin created a set of minimalist white coffee cups and saucers that look normal from the side but are ultra-slim when viewed from above or at an angle. Their reduced footprint saves space without sacrificing usability. They may look unusual, but their clever form has earned them a following among design lovers with limited kitchen real estate.

8. Coffee Beer: A Brewed Collaboration

Japanese coffee brand Anchor Coffee and Sekinoichi brewery teamed up to create a coffee-flavored beer, with packaging designed by Nendo. The classic beer bottle remains unchanged, but it’s decorated with hand-applied gold coffee bean stickers outlining the shape of a bean. The goal? A seamless blend of coffee richness and beer refreshment, packaged with subtle, artisanal flair.

9. Nespresso Battery: Coffee-Powered Energy

Austrian design studio Mischer’Traxler built a working prototype of a coffee-powered battery. Using just a cup with aluminum, coffee grounds, and salt water connected by copper wire, the setup generates small amounts of electricity. Six units can power a clock; 17 can run a small radio. It’s a quirky experiment that turns your spent coffee into usable energy—a conversation starter for sure.

10. A Cup of Coffee: The Coffee Bean Ashtray

Japanese designer Ryohei Yoshiyuki crafted an ashtray entirely from leftover coffee beans. Dubbed “A Cup of Coffee,” it plays on the common habit of using coffee grounds to mask the smell of cigarette butts. This version takes it further by shaping actual beans into a functional, aromatic ashtray that absorbs odors naturally. It’s functional, weird, and oddly fitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these coffee designs is the fastest to make espresso?

The Piamo microwave espresso maker can brew a shot of espresso in just 30 seconds. It stacks water, coffee, and a cup, then uses microwave-generated steam to force extraction—no machine needed.

How long does the Imperial Drip coffee maker take?

The Imperial Drip takes about four hours to brew a pot of coffee. It uses a slow cold drip process through copper tubing, resulting in a smoother, less acidic cup.

What makes the Paul Smith Cylinda coffee pot different?

Paul Smith kept the original 1967 Cylinda coffee pot’s design but added 12 colorful handle options, ranging from bright to soft tones, updating the classic with a more playful look.

Can the Nespresso battery really power devices?

Yes. The Nespresso Battery prototype uses aluminum, coffee grounds, salt water, and copper wiring. Six units can power a clock, and 17 can run a small radio—proving coffee waste can generate small amounts of electricity.

Is the concrete espresso machine safe to use?

Yes, the Espresso Solo is safe. It has standard metal espresso machine components housed inside a concrete shell, combining durable materials with an industrial aesthetic.

What’s the point of a coffee bean ashtray?

The A Cup of Coffee ashtray is made from real coffee beans and is designed to absorb the smell of cigarette butts better than traditional materials, while also being a conversation piece.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Design-Loving Brewers

For fans of elegant coffee gear, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for its jasmine and bergamot brightness—perfect with a sleek moka pot like the Good Morning set. Or explore the Strawberry Candy Espresso for a fruity, syrupy profile ideal with slow-brewed methods such as the Imperial Drip. Both beans highlight the artistry behind great design and brewing. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.