The Return Of The Breakfast Nook, And How To Create Your Own

There has been a resurgence in some painterly areas of kitchen design of late. We’ve seen the return of classic pantries, pain rails with rows of vintage copper pots, and cute little curtains under farmhouse sinks. Flowers abound, as does chintzy wallpaper and checkered floor tiles. The latest feature to reemerge from our design past is the breakfast nook.

The breakfast nook adds a level of informality to the kitchen—not quite as relaxed as a cup of tea and a piece of toast on the sofa, but without the ceremony of a dining room. It’s a space for cozy mornings in pajamas.

“Breakfast nooks are a great way to break up the space in your kitchen and create a cozy little nook in which to enjoy your morning coffee or curl up with a good book on a Sunday afternoon,” say the interior design experts at InHouse Inspired Room Design. “They also add a new dimension to your kitchen, providing a cozy place to relax while someone cooks or a place to enjoy a mid-morning cup of tea overlooking the garden.”

While the concept may sound like a minor design whim – there’s probably little need to devote an entire corner of the house to snacks and cereal – breakfast nooks are usually modest enough to tuck away when not in use, but add a very practical option for additional seat.

A breakfast nook is usually very compact, built into an alcove that has little use for anything else, or nestled into the corners of a bay window. Furniture can be integrated, e.g. a bespoke windowsill or built-in bench – which is particularly common when your breakfast nook sits in a corner – or free-standing, such as a B. a small bistro table.

“There’s a growing demand for compact, minimalist pieces that provide places to eat and entertain that can be easily stored away when not in use,” says Tom St. Quintin, furniture buyer at Furniture Village. “Every corner and every countertop is an opportunity to add practical value to the kitchen.”

According to InHouse Inspired Room Design, the breakfast nook is an easy design update.

“If you’re interested in adding a breakfast nook to your home, there are many easy ways to do it. Find a corner of your kitchen or living space that isn’t being used – this may require moving furniture around – and then add a table and some comfortable seating. An easy way to do this is to add a table and an armchair or two, but if you want something more substantial, adding seating in the wall around a corner is the ultimate makeover.

The choice of seating depends entirely on how you want to use your dining area. A comfortable armchair can be a sensible option if you enjoy spending the morning reading a newspaper or want a place for company while you cook. Integrated benches are usually softened by padded seats — many sport vintage-inspired patterns like bold stripes.

Designing a breakfast nook is less of an exercise in functionality than other areas of the kitchen.

“Throws, blankets, area rugs, and plush area rugs can all help make that corner a space you want to spend a lot of time in. Try to match your textiles to the furniture and wall colors so you create a coherent, drawn space. It immediately makes it look like it was designed with care and consideration and enhances your corner even more.

Earthy, rustic tones and designs are great for creating a relaxed vibe, so consider bringing in moss green, deep tones and different textures to give your nook a sense of warmth and welcome.

The right choice of lighting will always help delineate small niches in the home and it’s a chance to introduce more vintage references. A cute wall lamp with a pleated shade or a low-hanging pendant that casts a warm glow around your table would work.

“If you don’t have the space or budget to create a special breakfast nook, try carving out a corner of your living space by simply rearranging your furniture and adding a table and a comfortable chair to give you that subtle change of atmosphere.” offer and scene.”