How to Design the Perfect Breakfast Nook
April 28, 2025
While everyone regards the kitchen as the heart of the home, the perfect breakfast nook might well be the hub. A cozy and comfortable place to have your morning coffee, visit with a friend, spend time with family on a lazy Saturday morning, or help your child with homework, a breakfast nook draws people in. It may be exactly what your kitchen needs to make it the place everyone wants to spend time.
Today’s homeowners want their homes to be places of connection and ease. They want a casual vibe and a welcoming feel. Breakfast nooks are hardworking spaces disguised as informal hangouts. Upgrading your space to include a breakfast nook also adds value to your home–it’s a multifunctional and desirable addition to your kitchen.
If you’re planning a full kitchen remodel, or even if you’re just looking to refresh your space, we can help you design the perfect breakfast nook for your home.
Location, Location, Location
The first step in designing a breakfast nook you will love is choosing the perfect spot. If you have a corner in the kitchen with a bank of windows, the choice is easy. The most common set-up is a breakfast nook set against a window or in a corner. But you can also put a table and chairs on a round rug in the center of the room, or even between the kitchen and living room if you have an open floor plan. Sometimes a little-used, awkward corner of the kitchen is the best location, even without windows. If you don’t know where to put your breakfast nook or you’re redesigning the whole space, our team of designers can help you brainstorm ideas.
The Table and Seating
The location you choose will determine what size and shape you need for your table. Most breakfast nooks have round tables, and tulip tables are very popular. But don’t limit yourself to a round table necessarily. If you have space, you can choose an oval or rectangular table to give people more room to spread out.
Next, think about seating. One popular option for breakfast nooks is to use built-in benches along one wall or a corner. This is a great option to save space, and you can even add storage in the benches. Built-in benches can go with any style of decor and they lend a casual and homey air to your space. Make sure to talk to an electrician about moving any wall outlets (or working them into the design of the benches as a handy place to charge devices!). If a corner bench seems too blocky, consider a built-in curved banquette and round or oval table for a graceful and bespoke look.
You will likely also need some chairs, whether or not you use built-ins along one side of the breakfast nook. Choose chairs that fit into your desired style–retro, cottage-style, mid-century modern, or farmhouse 2.0. Consider your breakfast nook chairs to be functional decor in your space.
Set the Space Apart
Because a breakfast nook is a fairly small space, all design elements need to be selected with care. To make your breakfast nook feel like a thoughtful, intentional space, consider setting the area apart visually. Use color–an accent wall painted in a contrasting color, wallpaper, or a rug–to delineate the area. In fact, choosing a statement color (even if you don’t paint a wall) is a great way to make your breakfast nook feel cohesive with the rest of the kitchen. Choose one or two colors to repeat throughout the space–think furniture, accents, pillows, etc.
Choose Lighting
One of the best ways to make your breakfast nook feel like a finished and welcoming space is to add a great light fixture. Choose a small chandelier, a statement piece, or a simple pendant. You want a light that is not only functional but attractive.
The scale of your light is important–you want it to be large enough to make an impact but not so large that it overwhelms the space. A good rule of thumb is that your light should be no wider than ¾ of the width of the table. A round table generally looks best with a round light fixture, a rectangular table could use a rectangular fixture or two smaller ones, and a square table looks great with any shape.
If you have low ceilings (8’ or less), consider using flush mount lights. While they won’t add style to the room, they will give the illusion of higher ceilings and more space. If you really want a statement piece and have a low ceiling, try a semi-flush mount–you’ll see the light and it will add to the decor, but it won’t hang down too far.
Another factor to consider is that you want your breakfast nook light to coordinate–but not match–your kitchen light. Consider using the same type of finish but a different shape.
Keep in mind that often the best lighting in breakfast nooks comes from natural light. If you’re lucky enough to have windows, let in the light by using sheer curtains. They add softness and texture while keeping the space bright and airy.
Accessories: The Finishing Touches
Curated and layered accessories will make your breakfast nook inviting and comfortable. First, add some color and texture with soft furnishings like curtains, a rug, and some throw pillows. Mix and match patterns and colors while highlighting one main color, so the space looks like it was designed over time. You can really let your style shine here: go for a minimalist vibe, a coastal cottage look, or a comfortable modern design.
Make sure you choose art you love–you could frame and hang your kids’ artwork over the breakfast nook to lend a casual and fun look, or you could go for something more sophisticated. Even a plant can serve as artwork. Choose something that brings you joy, and make sure the scale is right for the space: too large and it will compete with the lighting and other accessories. Too small and it will seem like an afterthought.
Enjoy Your New Space!
A breakfast nook is a great place to enjoy time with family and friends, or to spend a quiet moment alone. If you are planning a full kitchen remodel or just want to add a breakfast nook to a kitchen you already love, we can help. Serving Virginia, Maryland, and the DC area, we’re ready to help you design and build the perfect space for you and yours. Contact us today to get started.