Create a breakfast nook you’ll love: 6 ideas for your space

In an age when many of us eat dinner in front of the TV, dining rooms are used less than they once were. But a breakfast nook offers an in-between — a comfortable eating space perfect for informal meals and conversations over drinks.

If you’re looking for breakfast nook ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Consider these furniture recommendations and ways to customize the look to suit your space and your style.

6 ideas to create a breakfast nook you’ll love

Only some homes have space for a dining room, but even small apartments can accommodate a breakfast nook. You don’t need built-in seating or pricey renovations to create one of these casual dining areas. All that’s necessary is a bit of extra square footage and a spot to sit with your meal. Take a look at these breakfast nook ideas that’ll work for any home, no matter how much space you’re working with.

1. Bistro table

Most spaces have room for a bistro or pub table with two chairs — you might tuck them in a kitchen corner, by a window, or between your living room and kitchen. Either way, you’ll have a breakfast nook for two, perfect for small spaces. This breakfast nook uses a bar table with a chrome base for an ulta-modern look.

If you place this setup within view of the living room, you can watch TV from your new dining spot, too! Here are a few ways you can customize this look based on your home’s style:

• Add a red-and-white checkered tablecloth for an Italian aesthetic
• Create a DIY orchid centerpiece for a glam appeal

Adding a bistro or pub table is less expensive than a new dining or kitchen table, so this idea is also easy on the wallet. Here are our recommendations for an affordable counter-height table and set of stools:

• Zanella Glass Top Bar Table in chrome
• Edenton Upholstered Adjustable Height Bar Stools in white and chrome (set of 2)
• Freda Double X-shaped Base Square Bar Table in cappuccino

2. Banquette seating

Banquette seating is usually designed with bench seating that runs along one or more walls around a table and can work for spaces of any size. For example, this idea works well for positioning a breakfast nook table in a kitchen corner, creating an aesthetic similar to a built-in dining space like the one featured above. 

Here are a few ways to customize this idea:

• Add a table and built-in bench with hidden storage as an easy upgrade
• Add nature-inspired wall art or home decor to simulate having windows nearby

A breakfast nook with banquette seating can be large enough to replace your dining room, allowing you to free up your existing dining area for another purpose. And it’s an excellent way to incorporate 2023 color schemes, with earthy hues and solid wood pieces in dark tones. Here are a few recommendations for a banquette-style breakfast nook dining set:

• Connie 4-Piece Counter Height Set in chestnut and dark brown
• Dalila Dining Room Set in cappuccino and black
• Finnick Rectangular Bar Table in walnut

3. Kitchen island

Adding a breakfast nook to your kitchen island is an excellent way to upgrade to an eat-in kitchen and make good use of your square footage. And you’ll have a perfect spot for friends and family to hang out with whoever’s cooking while making the heart of your home more inviting.

This modern kitchen is an excellent example of how to include the high-contrast color palettes and natural textures that are on-trend right now. If you’d like to customize this idea, here are a few options:

• Add a counter-height dinette set if you don’t have a kitchen island
• Hang a pendant light or chandelier above the table to upgrade your interior design

A breakfast nook at the kitchen island usually works best in medium or large kitchens. Here are a few recommendations for seating at a kitchen island, plus a counter-height dining set to get a similar look for your kitchen nook:

• Leonard Upholstered Backless Round Stools in white and black (set of 2)
• Nakia Woven Rope Back Counter Height Stools (set of 2)
• Slater 2-Drawer Kitchen Island with Drop Leaves in brown and black
• Lavon Oval Counter Height Table in light chestnut and espresso

4. Dining space facelift

Do you have a window in your dining area? If so, you could transform it into a breakfast nook, making you more likely to use the space. This idea works best in open-plan homes, as breakfast nooks aren’t usually tucked away in a closed room. If you have a larger dining table set connected to your kitchen, replacing it with something smaller might free up some square footage.

Here are a couple of ways you can personalize this idea:

• Use a side bench positioned against one wall, so the nook takes up less space
• Mix and match your dining chairs for an eclectic appeal

If you don’t want to change anything about the layout of your dining space, you can still use this idea and change the area’s aesthetic for something lighter or more colorful. The space featured in the photo makes great use of light decor to contrast with the cappuccino dining table. 

Natural materials like marble (or faux marble) and bright colors are returning for 2023’s trends, so have fun with them. Here are some ideas for dining room table sets and seating you could use to bring this idea to life:

• Topeka 6-Piece Dining Set in cocoa and gunmetal
• Allison 5-Piece Drop Leaf Dining Set in natural brown and white
• Osborne 5-Piece Rectangular Marble Top Dining Set in sand and white
• Bexley Trestle Bench in natural honey and espresso

5. Corner nook

You don’t need to add built-in bench seating to have a cozy corner nook — instead, you can use a corner bench and a square table to get the same look. The setup above keeps the benches away from the wall, which avoids interfering with the flow of traffic around the room. 

You can add seating on the other two sides of the table to accommodate additional guests. Or if you’re creating a breakfast nook in a small kitchen corner, you might opt for backless stools that can tuck under the table to save space.

You can make this look your own with some of these decorating ideas:

• Use a table set with a metal frame and colorful upholstery for a retro or mid-century modern look
• Create a feature wall behind corner seating with a removable wall decal or DIY paint job

A corner nook can transform your space, especially if you can place it near a window. Consider a pedestal table if you need a space-saving design, as this base will free up space under the table for your seating. Here are some suggestions for seating and tables to bring this nook to life:

• Moxee Upholstered Tufted Corner Bench and Moxee Upholstered Tufted Short Bench in grey
• Calandra 6-Piece Dining Set with Bench in vintage java
• Marilyn Pedestal Rectangle Glass Top Dining Table

6. One-sided seating

Add one-sided seating for a small-space breakfast nook if you can tuck a table against a window or behind your sofa. This idea can also work with a console table, like the one in the image above — all you need to add is seating.

You can set up your table to face the TV in your living room, perfect for anyone who likes to catch up on streaming during meals. Or you could set up your nook with a view of the outdoors.

Consider these ideas to customize your setup:

• If your table is facing a window, add wall decor on either side to highlight the space
• For a table behind the sofa, use open-concept living room decor that reflects both spaces

This idea works best if your table overlooks something, as staring directly at a wall isn’t that fun. If that’s your only option, pick a painting or photograph you love and hang in front of the seating area. Regardless, here are some recommendations for tables and chairs that’ll work for this idea:

• Cassidy 4-Piece Rectangle Counter Height Set in dark oak and chrome
• Marmot 4-Piece Rectangle Counter Height Set in white marble and chrome
• Kelso 3-Piece Drop Leaf Dining Set in cappuccino and tan

Change the way you do breakfast

A breakfast nook you love is inviting — it provides extra space to savor your meals and offers an alternative to simply sitting on the sofa. It’s also the perfect way to give your home that extra touch of luxury, which can help guests feel more at home when they’re visiting.

Whatever your reason for creating a breakfast nook, it’s sure to liven up your space. If you still need to find the perfect table or seating, check out Coaster Furniture for more options. When you’re ready to buy, use our store locator to find a retailer near you for convenient shopping.

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