Charming Breakfast Nook Ideas

By Mary Shannon Wells
Laurey W. Glenn

Breakfast nooks are undeniably charming. Whether nestled in a bay window, outfitted with a comfy bench, or squeezed into a tiny kitchen, they are always inviting. With tips from some of our favorite designers, these ideas are worth adding to your dream house Pinterest board. Whether you’re looking to add a bench to your kitchen or update an existing area, kitchen nook ideas are just what you need to start fresh. We’re dreaming about the relaxing Saturday mornings we could spend curled up with a book and cup of coffee. With inventive additions like storage and built-in benches, plus fun elements like daring wallpapers and bright color palettes, these design ideas will make your space the most stylish and cozy corner of the house.

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Bay Window Views

Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo; Styling: Ed Gallagher

The breakfast nook in this 1930s colonial is cleverly outfitted in a large bay window for beautiful morning light. Since the family uses it so often, the cushions were covered in an easy-to-clean Nanotex-coated fabric, which is a great idea for any seats in the kitchen.

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Additional Storage

Photo: Erica George Dines

Breakfast nooks don’t just offer extra seating. With drawers under the seat, there’s tons of storage opportunity, too. See how designer Suzanne Kasler transformed the rest of this sunny kitchen here.

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Bold Wallpaper

Photo: Annie Schlechter; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Homeowner Holly Williams (granddaughter and daughter of some guys named Hank) wasn’t afraid of a little pattern in the breakfast nook of her colonial revival. Small spaces like these are perfect for striking patterns or paint colors you might be wary of using in larger rooms.

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Use Varied Textures

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt

Houston Designer Meg Lonergan’s 100-year-old home certainly doesn’t feel dated. Don’t be afraid to mix textures, like this round jute rug, and patterns, like the diamond-covered curtains. Antique wooden furniture plays well with modern clear acrylic chairs that give the allusion of a bigger space.

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Bring The Outdoors In

Photo: Max Kim-Bee; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Windows offer beautiful natural light for breakfast nooks. Designer Andrew Howard took inspiration from the lush greenery outside this bay window and used springy green fabric for the cushions and pillows in this nook. See the entire colorful home here.

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Chinoiserie Corner

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

Chinoiserie elements, like the wallpaper, Chippendale chairs, and blue and white china bowl, tie into the larger theme of this generational Atlanta home. A traditional blue and white color palette looks fresh with items like a fun light fixture and modern table.

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Play with Color and Pattern

Laurey W. Glenn

Including a breakfast nook provides the opportunity to have fun with fabric. There’s no rule that every chair, bench cushion, and pillow needs to be the same color. Mix fabrics, patterns, and textures around a central theme for a vibrant, happy space.

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Incognito Storage

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This bench has a game-changing secret: a lift-up top reveals tons of storage inside. Clutter? Not in this kitchen (as far as guests know). See this Charleston home’s entire makeover here.

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Save a Seat

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

The staircase-lined breakfast nook in this Spartanburg tutor was designed with the homeowners’ family in mind. There’s plenty of space for each of the couples’ three kids to have a friend join.

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Tie in Traditions

Peter Frank Edwards

The blue ceiling in this bright breakfast nook is a nod to an old Lowcountry tale that the color, often seen on porch ceilings, keeps evil spirits away. Include sentimental elements with paint colors, artwork, or family antiques. See this entire South Carolina river house here.

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Small Space Savior

Photo: Lisa Romerein

The smallest spaces can become the most charming breakfast nooks. If you can’t add a built-in banquette, simply add a small bench and table to an empty corner or by a window. Bonus: A white palette creates the allusion of a bigger, airier space.

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Shiplap Walls

Laurey W. Glenn

Although Joanna Gaines has brought shiplap to peak popularity, it’s always been a classy and clean way to have white walls that aren’t a bore. This tulip table base was outfitted with a new, rectangular top that fit this breakfast nook better than the original round one. See Nashville decorator Sarah Bartholomew’s entire house here.

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Citrus Color Scheme

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This vibrant Arkansas kitchen remodel was inspired by a refreshing citrus color palette. There isn’t a more fun corner in the house than this breakfast nook with a bright orange light fixture, mirror, and pillows, a green couch, and a pair of fruit art prints.

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Hang Up Some Fun

Laurey W. Glenn

Breakfast nooks are cozy, welcoming areas, so if you have the wall space, hang something inviting and fun. Whether a map of places traveled, family photos, or quirky vintage posters, fine art isn’t required in this corner of the house.

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Mix Traditional and Contemporary

Laurey W. Glenn

Designer Grace Kaynor wanted to keep the historic charm alive in her 1850s Greek Revival house in New Orleans’ Garden District, but it needed a fresh coat of everything. In this nook, an old brick fireplace and vintage floor tiles blend seamlessly with a contemporary breakfast set.

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