8 Breakfast Nook Ideas Our Designers Love

Who doesn’t love good breakfast nook ideas? It’s often forgotten when we talk about kitchens! But the breakfast area is an essential spot in every home. It usually functions as a small eating area located next to or near the kitchen (or sometimes inside!). It offers a cozy place for the family to enjoy casual meals throughout the day. In years past, when families ate in a formal dining room for dinner, the kitchen nook was used for family breakfasts. Hence the name, the breakfast nook!

Breakfast nook ideas are so versatile due to the casual atmosphere. The format and/or design of a breakfast area is not settled; there is always room for creativity or flexibility in the layout.

There are no rules for what elements should be included in a breakfast nook design, but the basic components of a breakfast nook are seating, a small dining table, and fun accents like pillows. It’s typically a round dining table with a bench or built-in seating with cushions, but depending on the layout of the space, a breakfast area could feature a variety of table and seating styles.

We’ve got plenty of kitchen and breakfast nook ideas and inspiration to fit any style, layout, and size. Have a look below for breakfast area design ideas from our residential projects. We hope this helps you create a relaxing and comfortable space for dining at your home.

 

INTEGRATED BREAKFAST AREAS IDEAS

For a modern take on a breakfast nook, we often incorporate the breakfast area into the kitchen by attaching it to the island. As an alternative to bar stools with a bar counter, this tabletop-height solution offers a comfortable way to enjoy a meal at the island. These breakfast areas need to be carefully positioned to guarantee a good flow in the space. This kitchen below features sleek, tan leather chairs with walnut legs surrounding the island for comfortable seating.

 

 

 

Above, a large island features an elegant tabletop on the end for casual dining. Even in an open-concept kitchen next to a larger dining space, having seating attached to the island adds another layer of convenience and functionality. 

BREAKFAST NOOKS

A more traditional approach, breakfast nooks are typically positioned separate from the island but near the main kitchen space. The layout of the room often dictates where the nook can be, whether it’s in a dedicated bay window or simply the far corner of the room. The key here is to create a space that feels unique and welcoming but still ties into the rest of the kitchen design.

 

 

Above, this large kitchen features two islands, plus a dedicated dining nook next to a statement wall. The chairs feature a high-contrast design to tie into the palette in the kitchen.

 

 

Here, an all-white kitchen features a spacious breakfast nook next to a series of windows, creating an airy place to enjoy a laid-back meal. Looking for more white kitchen inspiration? See our post with our Favorite All-White Kitchen Designs.

OPEN BREAKFAST AREAS

Rather than a classic nook layout, these breakfast spaces are simply more casual dining areas open to the kitchen. They’re a great option if you don’t want to have a formal dining space at all, since they can accommodate a larger table (depending on your layout) but provide the casual vibe of a breakfast nook.

 

 

Above, this spacious galley kitchen features a dining space at the far end next to sliding doors, as well as bar seating at the island. We love the versatility of this design for a variety of dining options.

 

 

Above, this expansive kitchen centers around a large, open-concept dining area. It’s a modern interpretation of a breakfast area, providing a casual dining spot for every meal. The blue chairs add personality and help define the space. See more of this beautiful Miami home here.

BUILT-IN BREAKFAST NOOKS

For a classic breakfast nook design, a built-in bench is a must-have. It adds to the inviting, casual feel, plus offers lots of opportunity for fun pillows or cushions.

 

 

In this dining nook, a custom bench is inset into a wall of built-ins for an ultra-cozy feel. An oval glass table and round-back chairs balance out the crisp look of the built-ins. See our post on this Bal Harbour home for more behind-the-design details.

 

This modern breakfast nook features a classic layout, but with contemporary furnishings. A custom bench provides plenty of window seats, surrounding a sleek oval breakfast table. We designed this for a family with kids—a breakfast nook is the perfect casual spot for everyone in the family!

Whether you’re designing a completely new kitchen and eat-in space, or working with an existing nook, the perfect breakfast nook is all about creating a casual, inviting feel. Check out our post on Breakfast Nook Ideas for more inspiration here.

KITCHEN + BREAKFAST DESIGN IDEAS

 

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