If you believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then adding an on-trend breakfast nook is a no-brainer. Having a sweet, designated space — however big or small — to savour that first sip of coffee sounds delightful.
Add in the bonus of extra in-kitchen seating and overflow storage (via banquettes or lidded benches), and a breakfast nook is suddenly so much more than its name suggests. It provides the perfect spot for friends to perch and keep you company while cooking those weekly Friday Night Friend Dinners.
(Yes, a breakfast nook can be used for other meals too! We’re not rigid here.)
It can double up as a desk on work-from-home days or an after-school crafting station. This trending flexispace is all about maximizing the square footage you have and making it work for your life. So, when it comes to designing the ideal breakfast nook for your home (and available budget), get creative and get personal.
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Whether you have thousands for a custom built-in upholstered banquette or a fraction of that for a cool, thrifted bistro set, it’s all about making that “nook” uniquely yours. To get those design-ideas flowing, here are a few out-of-the-box breakfast nooks. Each one of these stylish setups highlights a design element that could be just the inspiration you’re looking for.
Happy nooking, everyone!
Simple Seating
Creating a customized breakfast nook doesn’t have to be complicated. Integrating a simple built-in bench seat to the kitchen layout gives the space instant versatility. Use it as a low shelf for heavy cookbooks or as part of a flexible seating setup.
Make It Personal
A breakfast nook should be relaxed in its design oeuvre. This is a highly personal space where slippers, dressing gowns and yawns are expected. Add well-loved books, travel memorabilia and artwork that put a smile on your face. We all could use a little lift first thing in the morning, right?
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Rise and Shine
In a kitchen with limited floor space, try a raised table-and-chair set. By putting the tabletop at the same level as the counters, our eye is drawn upwards. This creates the illusion of space, and provides the perfect place to lean against with a coffee and croissant in hand.
Hall Pass
Breakfast nooks don’t need to be banished to the kitchen — an entryway, wide hallway or stair landing could also be nook-worthy. Do you have any small, underused areas in your own home that could work? Utilize benches, narrow tables and tuck-under stools to make the most out of an unconventional space.
Related: Tablescaping 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Setting the Perfect Dinner Table
Sailing Club
When looking for space-saving design inspiration, head down to the docks. Boat designers are masters of the flex space, mixing form and function in truly tight quarters. Here, this chic nook uses nautical elements, such as linen upholstery, organic table edges and leather strapping.
Casual Colour
A breakfast nook is the perfect place to play with colour. It’s a casual, personal space, so the design stakes are low but the impact can be high. Being greeted by your favourite shade of orange every morning can only have positive effects.
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Couch It
Breakfast nook banquettes are beautiful but aren’t always feasible due to space, layout or budget. A couch can provide that deep cushion and comfort we seek seconds after rolling out of bed. Add in a low table and a couple of cool occasional chairs, and our breakfast nook could contend with any custom banquette out there.
Vintage Market Makers
Perusing antique and vintage markets can spark all sorts of breakfast-nook design ideas. Repurposed classroom desk-chair combos, train-station benches or even old steamer trunks as seats, just to name a few. Reusing older pieces not only reduces waste and saves resources, but also provides a solid foundation for a truly unique nook.
