What A Former Barista Thinks Your Home Looks Like Based On Your Favorite Drink

When I worked as a barista, I found myself interacting with a broad range of different people during my work day. From sleepy commuters on their way to the office to mothers with babies looking for a morning pick-me-up and teenagers grabbing a sweet treat after school, each day was filled with people from varying backgrounds looking for the special drink that could make their day that much better. And as someone who has always been interested in interior design, I often found myself daydreaming about where these people were coming from, what their home bases looked like. Eventually, I began to form hypotheses about what each person's drink order said about their personal interior decorating styles.

Now, not to brag, but I am pretty sure that after a good couple of years honing my skills at work, I can make a decent guess about what your home looks like based on what you order at your local coffee shop. This isn't all in my own head, either, as there is plenty of research on what a person's taste preferences say about their personalities. For example, one study from the scientific research journal Appetite suggests that people who prefer bitter tastes — like black coffee drinkers — are more likely to be antisocial. So, if you're brave enough, why not read on to see what I think your home looks like based on your typical beverage order?

Starting off as simple as it gets — the customer who orders a black coffee knows exactly what they want. No frills, no alternative milks, no sugary syrups — just a plain old reliable cup of joe that will wake them up and get their day started right. If this is you, I believe your interior design preferences reflect this emphasis on simplicity, practicality, and class. Your home likely revolves around a dark, moody, traditional design scheme that features wooden accents, antiques, solid furniture, and tried-and-true historical detailing such as wainscoting and wide, luxurious rugs.

When someone orders a latte, I can't help but think of them in a Mediterranean-style residence. With its soothing mix of browns, tans, and creams, this decor scheme emulates the perfect balance of the coffee and milk found in a classic latte. It features organic textures such as stone, linen, and wood, perfect for people who like to mix the indoors and outdoors together. The latte is a drink of halves and mixtures, and if it's your favorite drink, the Mediterranean style is probably one that would suit you, too.

If you're a mocha drinker, then you're likely no stranger to comfort, and chances are, you like to extend that feeling to your home, too. Handing a fresh mocha to someone, I always liked to imagine them taking it back to a bohemian-style home full of soft furnishings like rugs, woven blankets, and a stylish macrame wall hanging or two. If you like to get a different flavored syrup in your mocha each time, then perhaps you're also prone to mixing whatever textures and colors make you happy and comfortable, not feeling tied down to one specific look.

If there is any interior design style that perfectly suits an espresso order, it has to be Scandinavian. This design is centered around a stripped-back look with an emphasis on clean lines, neutral tones, and unique, handmade decor pieces. Just like an espresso, it allows the character of every element to shine through, uninterrupted by additional flavors or clutter. I always enjoyed thinking about an espresso drinker savoring their sharp, complex beverage amid light-colored wooden furniture and carefully curated bookshelves filled with musings on simplicity and Nordic comfort — sometimes known by the Danish word "hygge."

People who order iced coffees bring with them a breezy air of summer, even if they're ordering their chilly beverages in the depths of winter. As such, their interior design go-to is certainly a light, beachy style full of pastel blues and pistachio greens. The perfect combination, iced coffee and beach house decor both feel reminiscent of warm, sunny vacations infused throughout the rest of the year. So, if you're an iced coffee drinker, I wouldn't be surprised to visit your home and find nautical themes, woven rope accessories, and decor pieces made of shells and sea glass.

Is your favorite drink a classic English breakfast tea? Then you no doubt enjoy filling your home with similarly quaint, cottage-y items, like well-worn books, antique paintings, and plenty of greenery to bring the cottage garden indoors. Just like a cup of tea, this style values steeping things until their true character is evident, from old wooden beams to hand-me-down ceramic vases and old analog decorations like clocks and barometers. If you take a splash of milk in your tea, maybe you enjoy a lighter, more pastel look, complete with pink and orange shades within floral motifs.

Are you a matcha lover who enjoys things that feel natural and organic, preferring to start your day with a slow-release caffeine rather than a swift jump start? Then you probably prefer an interior design approach that infuses your space with understated mid-century charm. Classic mid-century modern pieces, such as sleek wooden furniture, wide geometric prints, and full-bodied greenery, reflect the calm and relaxation that was desired after the Second World War. This style suits matcha drinkers, as they prefer a beverage which is less active and more passively invigorating, seeking energy from balanced surroundings and flavors.

If your go-to coffee shop order is something that isn't on the menu but is instead a creation all your own, I can't help but think you prefer an eclectic design scheme. A person who makes their own rules, you aren't afraid to mix multiple flavored syrups and add an extra shot to your drink, and you certainly aren't afraid to combine textures and hues in your home's design, either. From your favorite beverages to your wall art and furniture, you enjoy having something you know is entirely unique and perfectly suited to your tastes.