15 Charming Breakfast Nook Ideas That’ll Cozy Up Any Small Space in Your Kitchen
These inspiring designs will help you start your day in style.
There's a time and place for sitting down in your formal dining room — and your everyday breakfast isn't one of them. That's why breakfast nooks, sometimes called eat-in kitchens, exist. When done right, these small-but-mighty spaces ease you into your day, giving you a comfortable, laid-back spot to sip on your morning coffee and prepare for whatever lies ahead. But since you probably don't have too much square footage to spare, we've rounded up the most inviting breakfast nook ideas, full of clever designs to help you amp up whatever space — big or small — you do have.
By definition, a breakfast nook is a small space off the kitchen, often but not always closed off by three walls. Don't let the bones of your home stop you, though: Even if you can't build a corner banquette with built-in storage or custom bench under a bay window, you can fake a nook by nestling a round table between plush chairs. Once you figure out how to work a nook into your small kitchen layout, take inspiration from these ideas to infuse the area with style and charm, all while staying true to your home's farmhouse, modern or contemporary aesthetic.
Maximize Seating
Corner banquettes provide ample seating, especially when additional dining chairs are thrown into the mix. Go for one made out of a durable material, like tufted leather, to ensure that it can withstand inevitable spills and scratches.
Bring in Bistro Chairs
Add striped bistro chairs to a blue and white breakfast nook to mimic the feeling of alfresco dining, no matter the weather.
Add Color to the Wall
Display a colorful collection on floating shelves to offset the neutral background. Keep the furniture light and bright to draw the eye up.
RELATED: How to Build a Banquette
Play With Patterns and Color
Take the maximalist approach and bring a bevy of colors, patterns and textures into your space. Create some consistencies throughout — a bamboo shade matches the tone in the natural cane chairs, for example.
Go Full-on Cozy
Let your home's natural elements inspire your breakfast nook's design. In a room with a stone wall, opt for a whitewashed table with a variety of cozy seating to invite all-day hangs.
Take It From Day-to-Night
Breakfast may be in the name, but that doesn't mean you can't pull up a chair at all hours of the day. Hang a beaded pendant light overhead to cast a warm glow once the sun sets.
Keep Comfort Top of Mind
Sinuous silhouettes create a sense of harmony and flow. Wrap a curved settee around a tulip table, then balance out the lines with wishbone-style chairs.
Squeeze In a Small Table
Place a square table between a U-shaped banquette to make the most of a narrow space. Pick a tabletop in the same material as your kitchen cabinets for a seamless look.
Go White on White
Keep to the room's open and airy feel by sliding a few small pedestal tables up to a sofa or built-in banquette. Stick with crisp whites throughout, sprinkling in a few colorful accents for a fun contrast.
Keep It Neutral
Mix in a medley of soft tones to achieve a casual corner. Lay the foundation with linen upholstery and add pillows in the same color family to give it a more lived-in look.
Get Smart With Storage
Cover a blank wall with floor-to-ceiling cabinets, but leave the spot by the window open, so you can soak up the sunshine while you sip on your morning coffee.
Lean on the Home's Architecture
Find furniture that accentuates the warmth and character of exposed beams. In this case, a reclaimed wood corner bench and distressed leather seat cushions play up the home's rustic aesthetic.
Blend Old and New
Reupholster a vintage sofa in a bold patterned fabric to add a touch of modern flair. Pull out one of the colors — mustard yellow, for example — for the accent chairs and overhead light.
Rely on Natural Light
Subdued shades, like light blue and creamy white, make any nook feel sunnier — even on the gloomiest day. When the sun makes an appearance, roll up the blinds to flood the room with natural light.
Balance Light and Dark
Pair pieces in contrasting textures, materials and colors to highlight your home's playful personality. Tie everything together with artwork, throw pillows and table decor in a singular shade.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
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