There’s nothing I love more than the first few moments of the day. I try my best to carve out quiet time before jumping into work or checking off my morning workout. No matter my schedule though, I always end up at my breakfast nook. In my home, this space is small (just enough room for a tulip table and two chairs right off my galley kitchen). But the impact it makes is vast. As I settle into the spot by the window with my coffee, I always feel a sense of gratitude for this comfy corner. Having a designated space for breakfast, reading, journaling, or daydreaming out the window is such a gift. And adding a breakfast nook to your own home is not as complicated as you think.
Featured image of Brian and Jessie De Lowe’s California farmhouse.
20 Breakfast Nooks to Inspire a Beautiful Morning
These versatile spaces are perfect for that one weird spot in your home you’re not sure what to do with—and breakfast nooks come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you add a table and chairs to a corner or outfit a wall with a plush banquette, the design options are endless. You deserve to start your day in a beautiful space, and these breakfast nooks are sure to inspire a cozy corner of your own.
Make it Moody
Deep, moody color palettes are in this year. Add some drama to your breakfast nook by incorporating darker colors, like designer Katie LeClercq has done here. The custom forest green banquet looks stunning paired with the calacatta marble pedestal table. When working with darker color palettes, be sure you balance your space with lighter colors. The contrast will make your darker colors pop, just like the banquette does here against the white walls and cabinets.
Add Some Cheer
We could all use a burst of energy in the morning, and it doesn’t have to come from your caffeinated drink of choice. Designer Amy Atkins outfitted this nook with cheery yellow banquette cushions that instantly make this space sing. Yellow signifies joy, hope and freshness—perfect sentiments for starting your day. A dash of yellow in an all-white interior will give your space an exciting jolt.
Soak in the Sun
If your kitchen gets morning sun, situating your nook by a window is ideal. Bask in the AM rays while you sip on your coffee and get your daily dose of vitamin D without leaving the house.
The exposed ceiling beams in this kitchen designed by Lane McNab elevate this sun-soaked kitchen and bring even more warmth to the space. Envious of the look but don’t have ceiling beams in your home? Decorative beams can come in clutch. These can be installed purely for aesthetic reasons, no architectural function required.
Gorgeous in Green
Want to revive a bland and boring room? Add a vibrant color. This gorgeous green breakfast nook is unforgettable for anyone lucky enough to sit at the table. Don’t be afraid to lean in and go all out when designing a nook of your own. Paint or add a textured wallpaper in a brilliant hue, like the one shown here by Allen & James Home. Stick with neutral and elegant furnishings to keep your colorful wall the star of the show.
Pack in the Charm
Who wouldn’t want to dive into this warm and inviting corner? Embellish your breakfast nook with colors, textures and patterns that bring you joy. Heather Strommen’s nook is bursting with charm—from the gingham cushions and pillows to the pretty plates on the wall. Want to add even more delight to your space? Use sentimental items as decor for a heartfelt touch.
Keep It Simple
Let’s be real, neutrals will never go out of style. This sunny space is sleek and minimal, and the oval table is perfect for both casual breakfasts and formal dinners. When designing your own neutral space, include a variety of textures to keep things interesting. There’s a beautiful balance of warm wood, marble surfaces and soft window shades that make this breakfast nook designed by Flatiron 27 anything but boring.
Mix and Match Prints
Fun prints add a bit of whimsy and a personal feel to your space. Sometimes more is more, and Ashi Waliany of Cusp Interiors had a ball with cheeky bird wallpaper in this nook. Instead of opting for a neutral window shade, she kept the prints going. The subtle red vines that adorn the shade tie in the pops of red from the wallpaper, making this space utterly charming.
When mixing patterns in your own space, be sure to include similar colors so the space feels cohesive. Choose patterns with different sizes as well—a large print can be dominant while smaller patterns act as accents.
Hang Unique Art
Statement pieces pack a punch, and hanging unique art in your breakfast nook adds a touch of character to the space. The vibrant colors in this breakfast nook designed by Emily Winters are beautiful, and the black accents from the chairs, light fixture, and frame balance everything out nicely.
Make it Work in Your Space
If you don’t have room for a full nook, get creative. This sweet corner makes fantastic use of the small space by the stairwell, proving that nooks don’t always have to be in the middle of your kitchen.
Take a look around your kitchen or the space nearby. Is there an empty corner not being utilized? Could you do some rearranging to make room for seating and a small table? Remember that nooks don’t need a lot of space to be functional and polished.
Take Inspiration From Nature
Some say that Mother Nature is the best designer there is, and we have to agree. Adding greenery will breathe life into any space, and selecting nature-inspired prints and art is always a great place to start when looking for inspiration. Not only did designer Amanda Simmons frame and hang botanical prints, but the corner banquette is patterned with vines as well. If you’d like to add an instant pick-me-up to your space, treat yourself to flowers and place them at the center of your table. It never fails.
Think Big
Breakfast nooks are often cozy and quaint, but that doesn’t mean they all have to be. If you have a large family or love hosting brunch, think big. This sizable breakfast nook by Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Nicholas is chic, stylish, and fit for a crowd. Oval tables are perfect for seating six, but don’t feel like you need to stick with round edges for your nook. A classic rectangle dining table would work just as well and can seat many.
Make a Gallery Wall
Make your breakfast nook your own personal art gallery by hanging framed art and prints. The stunning art in this gallery wall designed by Jackson Warren is actually framed needlepoint. Make your gallery wall extra special by including not only art, but photos and personal mementos as well. For a cohesive and balanced look, tie everything together by choosing throw pillows with similar colors found in your art.
Breakfast With a View
While it’s a no-brainer to situate your nook by a window, it makes even more sense if it comes with a view. This breakfast nook, designed by Emily Moss, gets gorgeous sunset views on Anna Maria Island. If your home comes with a view, celebrate it by situating your seating near a window. Make it as inviting as you can with plenty of pillows and throws, letting your guests get comfy and take it all in.
Add Something Unexpected
Over time, it can be easy to get bored with your space. This makes sense if you’ve lived in the same place for a few years, but it’s nothing a little creativity (and paint!) can’t fix. This simple breakfast nook needed something extra, and adding green chairs is the perfect pop of whimsy and excitement. If you have old wooden chairs, consider giving them new life by painting them an unexpected hue.
Let the Lighting Shine
A prominent lighting fixture above your breakfast nook can make a fantastic focal point. This light blue conical pendant is gorgeous, and ties in beautifully with the cushions on the rattan chairs. Pro tip: Linear pendants are perfect for rectangular dining tables and narrow spaces, while chandeliers and round pendants are better for smaller spaces and square tables.
Keep It Classic
For a timeless look, try a black and white color palette. This striking setup designed by SuzAnn Kletzein displays gorgeous black and white plates on the wall, as well as black chairs and black and white pillows. You can’t go wrong with gold accents in a black and white space, so opt for a gold lighting fixtures or a table with gold detailing as Kletzein has done here.
Incorporate Storage
You can never have enough storage and utilizing every inch of your home is key, especially if you live in a small space. Take advantage of banquettes built with drawers for optimal kitchen organization. Store anything from extra dish towels, napkins, or seasonal kitchen items. You could even use the space for board games, homework supplies, or coloring books if your kitchen nook is the spot for family game night or after school activities.
Coordinate Your Accents
Styling a room is very similar to piecing together an outfit. Keeping your accessories the same shade, (think a white tee and jeans with black sunnies and a black bag) will always look sleek and sharp. The same goes for a room. The black accents in this breakfast nook designed by Brittny Smith, down to the mugs and plates, make this corner subtly uniform. Try keeping your accents all the same shade like the black window trim, black pendant light, and black cabinet pulls shown here.
Cozy Up
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and where we dine should feel just as welcoming and warm. If you’re aiming for casual meals in this spot, a laidback vibe is essential. Make your breakfast nook as cozy as possible by adding cushy pillows, soft cushions, and plenty of comfortable seating. Take note of the generously sized pillows in Vision and Hammer’s bright and relaxed breakfast nook—they knew what they were doing when it came to inviting corners.
Make a Statement With Wallpaper
Wallpaper is such a fun way to infuse your style and personality into a room. Color and pattern set the mood, so decide on how you’d like your breakfast nook and select your paper accordingly. The soft blue wallpaper gives this breakfast nook a calm and relaxed vibe—the perfect ambience for starting your day.
