As the sun spills its golden rays, there’s no better place to start your day than a charming breakfast nook. This intimate space, often nestled by a window or tucked into a cozy corner, holds the promise of peaceful mornings and delightful moments. In this blog, we’ll explore a myriad of inspirational ideas to elevate your breakfast nook into a haven of comfort and style. From creative decor tips to clever space-saving solutions, let’s reimagine your breakfast routine and infuse your mornings with a dash of inspiration. Your day begins here, in a space that’s not just a nook, but a canvas for crafting a beautiful and inspiring start to each day.
Breakfast Nook Benefits
It’s often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After all, it gives you that first boost of energy you need in the morning. However, many of us don’t prioritize our morning meal, either because we’re in a rush to get to work or school or we’re just not that hungry at the crack of dawn.
But, having breakfast has been scientifically proven to have a positive impact on our health. So, it’s important to motivate ourselves to eat breakfast, and that’s where a breakfast nook comes in handy. By having a wonderful casual dining area that makes you feel happy, you’ll set the right tone for the day and leave your home feeling confident and prepared.
Apart from this psychological benefit, a well-decorated breakfast nook can also encourage you to take some time to make a nutritious meal at the breakfast table. All too often, we substitute a proper, balanced breakfast for a cup of morning coffee and maybe a snack bar, at best. Or, even worse, we operate on an empty stomach until lunchtime.
A breakfast nook can motivate you to prepare and eat something healthy, even if it’s something as small as a bowl of granola with some fruit. Consuming valuable, nutrition-laden calories early in the morning allows your metabolism to function properly, which has a range of desired health effects like lower risk of heart disease and obesity. It’s undeniable that eating a healthy breakfast is good for you!
But apart from health advantages, breakfast nooks have another bonus: they just look nice. A beautifully executed breakfast nook is aesthetically pleasing and truly adds a certain je ne sais quoi to your home. It can also increase your property’s value in the same way that a pool or tennis court can.
If you’re still not convinced but you’re a very practical person, you may be sold on the idea when you learn that a breakfast nook can add a ton of storage space and extra seating. The space can also double up as a kind of reception area for guests to hang out before you move to the living or dining room. Plus, it keeps people out of the kitchen where you’re working incredibly hard to prepare a lovely meal. There are no disadvantages to having a properly built breakfast nook!
Before You Build Your Breakfast Nook
You may be chomping at the bit to get to work on your breakfast nook, but there are a few factors you’ll need to take into consideration ahead of starting work.
Space
Naturally, a breakfast nook will require its own perfect spot in the kitchen, living room, or dining room. Ideally, you want to use an open 90-degree corner of the home or even a bay window for the space. But, don’t fret if you don’t have much space to spare. If you have a few square feet available in the corner of the kitchen, you can turn those into a kitchen nook if you disconnect the island from joining the wall.
The nook also doesn’t have to be super near the kitchen — anywhere you have room for at least one small table and two or more chairs will do! Just make sure it’s not in the chef’s way, you don’t want traffic to and from the nook affecting the kitchen and blocking the house thoroughfare. All that said, you want your nook close enough to the kitchen that carrying your breakfast won’t be a trek.
A small round table and two chairs might be all you need.
Seating
Your seating will be dependent on how much space and the types of angles you’re working with. If you have a 90-degree corner, consider adding L-shaped bench seating along the two walls to create ample seating space without adding clutter or affecting the house’s logistics.
If you can use built-in seating, select a type that has built-in storage space underneath it. You can never have too much! If you don’t have that luxury, opt for standalone chairs that can be moved as needed.
Make Your Breakfast Nook Bright and Beautiful
Once you’ve chosen your space for the breakfast nook, it’s time to get decorating!
Furniture
As we mentioned, a built-in breakfast nook bench (with hidden internal storage space) placed against walls is ideal because it frees up space. If your nook can accommodate these, it’s a good idea to choose a rectangular or square table to be situated between them.
If you don’t have a corner or bay window, we suggest a small square or round table with a couple of chairs dotted around it. Imagine the two-person seated tables you see alongside walls in small cafes. This will give you the additional seating and space you need without the nook intruding on any walkways.
Naturally, this setup doesn’t lend itself to storage space in the seating, but you can affix wall-mounted storage to the wall by the nook if you’d like.
Lighting
It’s best to create your nook near windows to maximize natural light. In the summer, having brekkie in the streaming beams of sunlight will do wonders for your mental health. However, you’ll need to choose appropriate artificial lighting for the winter months and stormy days. Stay clear of bright, white light, as this will ruin the breakfast nook’s peaceful and calming effect. Rather, opt for warm, yellow lighting.
Hanging pendant lights, wall sconces, and standing lamps are all great ways of illuminating the area without making the light harsh. You may even want to consider a statement chandelier to add some flair, or string some fairy lights up against the wall for a whimsical atmosphere. Dimmable lights are fantastic for adjusting lighting to match (or alter) your mood.
Beautiful chandeliers add much-needed lighting.
Color
Similarly, you’ll want to choose a color palette that creates a tranquil atmosphere. Neutral shades like cream and beige or pastels such as peach and periwinkle will work wonders. They’ll also reflect light, which will help a small space feel bigger. You can have the nook’s color scheme match the kitchen style and/or the rooms nearby or choose an entirely unique one.
Textiles
When it comes to the nook’s fabrics and accessories, you’ll want to continue making the space welcoming. And, remember, this is a chance to showcase your personality, so get creative! Play around with upholstery patterns and shades — a pop of color or a fun print on seat cushions or rugs can go a long way in lighting the mood and creating comfort.
We adore this blue velvet upholstery.
Textures are important, too. Try incorporating warm ones, like wood, wicker, suede, cotton, and leather. It’s best to keep very modern steel and glass for the dining table in the more formal dining room. You want this space to be cozy, after all!
However, if you’re prone to spilling before you’ve had your first cup of joe, opt for materials and fabrics that are stain-resistant and easy to clean. Outdoor upholstery will work well in your case, or you can have your chosen items custom-treated.
Finishing touches
Don’t neglect to include decorative items, as they’re crucial for adding some charisma to the nook. Wall art is always a great option, and it can give you the chance to include colors and patterns without going too Maximalist. You can’t go wrong with plants, either. A large potted plant in the corner can soak up the morning sun, and this greenery is sure to lift your spirits!
Alternatively, some table flowers are also fantastic and require much less space. Other table decorations include vases, statuettes, candles and even terrariums. The world is your oyster when it comes to selecting them, so let your imagination run wild. That said, the old maxim of “less is more” still rings true, because you don’t want to create clutter or mess in your serene space.
Greenery and floating shelves add charm to this nook.
Window treatments
The best part of having windows in or near your breakfast nook is the natural light they provide. So, enhance this even further by choosing soft, sheer drapes in the summer to capitalize on the sunlight. You can opt for heavier fabrics in winter to help keep in heat and trap the light created by your artificial lighting.
From carving out the breakfast nook’s space to sprucing it up with essential and luxury items, we know creating a breakfast nook from scratch can be a daunting task, even if you are an early bird! That’s why we’re here to help!
All you have to do is contact us via our online form, give us a call at 301-970-9339, or schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to get started on your project.
