Mmm, breakfast — it’s arguably the best meal. Why? Well, your options are practically endless. Craving something savory? A classic egg and bacon dish will hit the spot. Want a sweet treat? Waffles and pancakes are on the table, literally.

There’s a reason we even eat breakfast for lunch (except we tend to call it “brunch”) or even dinner (“brinner,” as some might say), and that’s because breakfast is positively delightful. Such a special meal deserves its own spot, wouldn’t you agree?

Enter the breakfast nook, a small but vital area of the house dedicated to breaking your fast after a long, deep sleep. So, let’s dive into a breakfast nook’s many advantages, what to take into consideration when designing it and practical tips and decorating ideas for creating the ideal set up.

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 to 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 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 they free 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 our expert, award-winning interior decorators are here to help.

This is how we work: Simply reach out to us, and we’ll assign you your very own designer who will contact you to begin the creation process. They’ll arrange a suitable time to pay a visit to your home to get an idea of layout and your vision for the space. Then, they’ll begin putting together a game plan for transforming your space.

Once you’ve given them the go-ahead on all finalized plans, they’ll get to work on making your dreams a reality. Contact Decorating Den Interiors today!