Charming Breakfast Nook Ideas and Our Kitchen’s Phase 1 Inspiration!

Charming Breakfast Nook Ideas and Our Kitchen’s Phase 1 Inspiration!

30 brilliant and functional breakfast nook ideas to make any kitchen nook a charming dining space using little square footage.

30 brilliant and functional breakfast nook ideas to make any kitchen nook a charming dining space using little square footage.

We’ve had a BIG vision swirling around breakfast nook ideas in our kitchen lately, and in a few weeks, we are kicking off Phase 1 of a 4 phase process toward our “official” kitchen renovation!

Our final massive renovation in the main part of our kitchen is still quite a ways off, but because we need to rearrange the layout (and build a small addition) to accommodate our breakfast nook, laundry room, a new mudroom, and bathroom downstairs, it means biting off one room at a time before we can get to the main course: the kitchen.

kitchen nook before

Our Breakfast Nook Vision

Robert and I have always talked about moving that black garage access door in our breakfast nook to a different wall so that we would have room to build a corner kitchen nook banquette and help with traffic flow. So in a couple of weeks, we’re starting that process and gathering as many breakfast nook ideas as we can in the meantime!

30 Charming Breakfast Nook Ideas Inspiring Us

These 30 spaces are all inspiring us in some way to create a charming dining banquette in the breakfast nook.

If you have a funky dining spot in your house, maybe some of these details will help you make them a little more functional and beautiful.

(The following images are shared with permission by their designers and/or photographers. Images may be subject to copyright.)

1. Upcycle a Restaurant Booth for a Breakfast Nook Banquette

This is a custom banquette in Kate Marker’s project, but doesn’t it remind you of a vintage restaurant booth from an old European steakhouse? I’m just imagining the possibilities of finding the perfect old booth bench on Facebook Marketplace to fix up and add fringe. The tulip table adds just a hint of modern.

Upcycle a Restaurant Booth for a Breakfast Nook Banquette
Credit: Kate Marker Interiors | Margaret Rajic

2. Use Rolling Arm Dining Chairs for Versatile Seating

Breakfast nooks often become multipurpose spaces for doing homework, at-home office work, craft projects, or just to sip a cup of coffee so it makes total sense to use a rolling dining chair here for that purpose.

Use Rolling Arm Dining Chairs for Versatile Seating in a Kitchen Nook
Credit: Allison Elefante | Laura Greene Interiors

3. Use a Kitchen Island as a Banquette Back

Pushing a bench all the way against this kitchen peninsula saves tons of space while making this breakfast nook feel more intimate.

Use a Kitchen Island as a Banquette Back
Credit: Emma Courtney Home

4. Let an Awkward Niche Provide Breakfast Nook Seating

If you’re working within the parameters of small square footage in a kitchen, make a niche in a wall to tuck in a breakfast nook bench and maximize space in walkways.

Let an Awkward Niche Provide Breakfast Nook Seating
Photo: Karyn Millet | Molly Britt Design | Eric Olsen Design

5. Utilize Drawers in a Banquette

It’s the perfect place to store serving ware and entertaining essentials when not in use.

Utilize Drawers in a Dining Banquette
Credit: Lincoln Barbour Studio | Recast Homes

6. Add Fluting to Breakfast Nook Benches

Have you seen this trick of adding pole wrap to plain cabinetry? It would work so well for adding a little interest to a bench.

Add Fluting to Breakfast Nook Benches
Credit: Lindye Galloway | Mellon Studio

7. Create a Gallery Wall

I love how this vintage gallery wall gives this breakfast nook a new traditional cafe vibe.

Vintage Eclectic Gallery Wall
Credit: Milly Jane Studio | Margaret Rajic

8. Go Moody for an Intimate Breakfast Nook

The black walls in this dining nook sets the tone for a cozy ambience and great conversation.

Go Moody for an Intimate Breakfast Nook
Credit: Park and Oak Design

9. Keep It Minimalist

This breakfast nook feels so functional with a no-fuss pendant light and traditional wood table that adds just enough warmth while keeping it simple.

minimalist breakfast nook idea
Credit: Willaby Way

10. Build a Bench Within Cabinetry

Storage and seating together wins! This setup sacrifices absolutely nothing – the comfortable bench, storage capabilities, and punch of color makes this wall a major workhorse in this dining nook.

Build a Bench Within Cabinetry
Credit: Barlow and Barlow

11. Span the Whole Wall with a Bench

Not an inch of space is wasted here with a custom built bench exactly the width of the wall.

Span the Whole Wall with a Banquette Bench
Credit: Barlow and Barlow

12. Take Advantage of Space Under Windows

Also… that stripe pattern makes a fun, bold statement and being such a classic, it will never go out of style.

Take Advantage of Space Under Windows for Breakfast Nook Seating
Credit: BK Interior Design | Adam Potts

13. Mount a Bar for a Bench Back

This idea of mounting a bar to the wall to hang back cushions is a very DIY-able way to get a custom look for less.

Mount a Bar for a Bench Back
Credit: Spacecrafting Photography | Bria Hammel Interiors

14. Let Wall Molding Steal the Show

This millwork makes a massive statement in this breakfast nook to define the space in the room.

Let Wall Molding Steal the Show in a Kitchen Nook
Credit: Stephan Bidoux Design | Stephan Julliard

15. Use a Nook to Prevent Blocking a Door

Without that bench against the wall, this doorway would be too crowded for traffic flow.

Use a Nook to Prevent Blocking a Door
Credit: Intimate Living Interiors |

16. Go for Small but Mighty

Even though this breakfast nook table is about as small as you can get, it makes a massive statement with interesting furnishings and lighting.

Go for Small but Mighty with Breakfast Nook Furnishings and Lighting
Credit: Jeff Herr Photo | Laura W Jenkins Interiors

17. Use Walls to Define a Breakfast Nook Space

In a world of open floor plans, sometimes you just need a walled in nook to make a dining table feel extra special.

Use Walls to Define a Breakfast Nook Space
Credit: Spark Interiors | Jeffrey Dungan

18. Use Stand-Alone Banquettes

By using benches that aren’t built-in, this breakfast nook has more flexibility over time just in case one day you decide you’d prefer a sitting room or off-the-kitchen office instead of a dining area.

Use Stand-Alone Banquettes
Credit: Jeffrey Dungan

19. Add Wood to the Ceiling

That added touch of warmth and texture gives this breakfast nook an extra punch of hygge.

Add Wood to the Ceiling to Create a Kitchen Nook with Extra Hygge
Credit: Kate Marker Interiors | Margaret Rajic

20. Oversize the Lighting

If you can’t decide on the size you need for lighting above a dining table, bigger is always better than smaller. Oversized makes a statement.

Oversize Lighting over a Dining Table
Credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors

21. Slipcover the Bench

In the event of food spills, it’s helpful to be able to toss a bench slipcover right in the wash. Better yet, make it out of a stain resistant fabric like Crypton.

Slipcovered Bench in a Dining Space
Credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors

22. Float Your Breakfast Nook Bench to Create Space

Make space underneath the bench by mounting a bench shelf to the wall instead of building a base.

Float Your Breakfast Nook Bench to Create Space
Credit: Melanie Bryant Interiors | Robby Followell

23. Create Whimsy with a Patterned Floor

Instead of adding pattern and color to the walls, let the floor do the talking. Bonus: patterned floors can help disguise food spills.

Create Whimsy with a Patterned Floor in a Dining Area
Credit: Meredith K Design

24. Add Character with Beadboard

It’s a relatively inexpensive material that can create a charming cottage vibe while also making scuffs easier to clean instead of plain drywall.

Add Character with Beadboard in a Dining Nook
Credit: Nested Interior Design | Camera & Flask

25. Nestle Next to a Bookshelf

It’s the perfect place to store cookbooks right in reach of the kitchen.

Nestle a Built In Bench Next to a Bookshelf
Credit: Pretty On Fridays

26. Use a Round Table to Help Traffic Flow

Corners on square or rectangular tables can jut out into walkways in small breakfast nooks. Use a round table instead to help tight spaces flow more easily.

Use a Round Table to Help Traffic Flow in a Small Dining Room
Credit: Shalmai Designs

27. Add Cabinet Doors to the Banquette

Lift-top benches can be cumbersome to access hidden storage, especially with a cushion on top. Cabinet doors are a more accessible solution.

Add Cabinet Doors to the Banquette
Credit: Shannon Kate Designs | Lane Dittoe

28. Take Advantage of a Bay Window

Curve the bench and add Roman shades for extra function in a dining room.

Bay Window in a Breakfast Nook
Credit: Louise Bradley Interiors

29. Use Cafe Curtains

If you want to add vintage character on a budget, cafe curtains are a sweet way to do the trick on kitchen windows while still allowing natural light.

Cafe Curtains in a Dining Nook
Credit: Lynden Lane | Stetten Wilson

30. Embrace the U Shape

If you have a small space but need room to fit extra seating, build a u-shaped built in banquette into 3 walls rather than only 2.

U Shaped Banquette and Dining Table
Credit: The Workroom

I love so many of these gorgeous breakfast nook ideas that it’ll be hard to land on just one design for ours, but I am so excited to make it all happen soon!

Do you have a favorite? Or a breakfast nook banquette situation yourself? Any suggestions to make it super super functional? We’re down to hear all of the ideas.

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