Built In Breakfast Nook Ideas You And Your Family Will Love
Breakfast nooks are basically a small, casual dining space, usually located in the kitchen or near the kitchen area. Compared to the dining area, breakfast nooks give a more casual dining atmosphere, making a it a nice spot for breakfast, snacks and any quick meals. A breakfast nook will usually be composed of a bench (can be freestanding or built-in), a dining table, and if space allows, dining chairs or stools as well.
Built-in breakfast nooks are common in classic style homes, especially those with bay windows. Because bay windows often have a unique size and shape, breakfast nooks installed by the bay windows often have built-in benches or banquette seating that goes along the shape of the window/wall. These seating areas can be further enhanced with decorative accents, creating a welcoming space for family gatherings.
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The semi-enclosed space of breakfast nooks provides privacy and cozy space to enjoy your time. But bay windows are not always necessary for breakfast nooks – some are simply placed by the window in the corner of the room, or in any corner or space near the kitchen that allows space for casual dining or lounging. Here we have built in breakfast nook ideas you can take inspiration from: [toc]
Breakfast Nook with Built-In Seating Design
Treat the nook as a miniature room inside your kitchen: give it its own “ceiling” with a low pendant or small chandelier, define the “walls” with a contrasting paint or wallpaper panel, and ground it with a rug or floor-inlay that tucks under the table base. Where ceilings are low, use a slim-back bench and shallow table pedestal to maintain generous sight-lines; in tall kitchens, add millwork—arched valances, beadboard, or cabinetry, to visually wrap the nook and make it feel intentional, not tacked on. Finally, tuck outlets or a USB strip beneath the seat for laptops and devices so the space doubles as a homework zone.
Dimensions
The sizes of breakfast nooks widely depends on the space you have available, often depending on the bay window area size. Plan the banquette depth at 18–20 in. and table overhangs at 10–12 in. together so knees clear comfortably. Built-in benches will typically be around 17.5 to 20 inches deep for them to be comfortable, and dining table sizes will vary according to size and shape of bay window. A standard breakfast nook size is 8ft by 8ft and able to seat 6 to 8 people very tightly. To avoid accidents and to ensure ease of entry/exit to the bench area, it is recommended to use round, oval, oblong or any dining table with rounded edges.
Built-In Nook with Bench
The bench is your statement piece, so specify it like custom furniture. A 3°–5° back-angle encourages lingering; adding a continuous lumbar cushion or upholstered panel keeps profiles slim while boosting comfort. If storage is a priority, design drawer bases rather than lift-up lids, drawers glide out even with the table in place and won’t collect crumbs in the hinge line. Use a wipeable performance fabric on seat cushions and a patterned textile on pillows to disguise everyday spills. To soften the “boxy” look that benches can create, curve the inside corner of the seat or add a scalloped toe-kick that echoes the dining table’s edge.
Breakfast Nook
Corners unlock floor space but demand balance. Keep both bench runs equal if you’ll seat adults on each side; if traffic flow is tight, shorten the run closest to the aisle and fill the lost corner with an angled cushion that acts like a chaise-end. Position the taller backrest against the windowless wall so the shorter back doesn’t block natural light. Add a sconce or swing-arm lamp on the solid wall for layered lighting, and use mirrored or glass mosaic tile on the return wall to bounce daylight across the table. Where walls meet at 90°, specify a clipped-corner tabletop (an octagon or round) to eliminate knee-collision at the point.
Kitchen With Built In Dining Nook
Visually link the nook to surrounding cabinetry by repeating door styles, paint colors, or hardware—but change the sheen or introduce upholstery so the seating area reads “furniture,” not “cabinet run.” Align the bench height (about 18 in.) with adjacent drawer banks so sight-lines stay level. Because the nook will battle cooking moisture, choose marine-grade plywood or PVC core for the bench box and ventilate the base with decorative cut-outs; this prevents trapped humidity from warping seat lids. If the nook sits near the work triangle, swap a conventional table base for a single pedestal, as this lets someone slide out quickly when the cook needs to pass with hot pans. Sometimes you’ll want to use a traditional table instead of a nook. If so, ensure that your bench seating height leaves adequate room for legs and clearance to easily get in and out.
DIY Nook Design
Start with stock wall cabinets turned on their backs: their 24 in. depth can be trimmed to a perfect 18 in. seating depth, and the pre-finished interior gives you ready-made under-seat storage. Anchor boxes to wall studs and shim to ensure a perfectly level surface before adding a ¾-in. plywood top. For a custom look without advanced carpentry, wrap the front in vertical shiplap or ready-made beadboard panels, then frame with 1 × 4 face trim. If upholstery skills are limited, use thick outdoor-grade cushions cut to size and secured with Velcro strips; they’re water-resistant, affordable, and easy to swap out seasonally. Finish by applying two coats of wipeable enamel paint or a water-based polyurethane over stain to stand up to daily breakfasts—and the occasional science-project volcano.
What’s unique about this DIY breakfast nook is that it doesn’t have a nearby window, so it was only installed near the large glass French door to bring in light to the area. The bench is also not built-in, but a movable L-shape bench with backrest and removable seat cushions. It was paired with a solid wood trestle table and a white painted trestle bench to add a rustic element to the space.
The use of beadboard panels for the wall above the built-in bench in the breakfast nook adds a nice contrast and additional texture to the contemporary style kitchen. The stark difference in color/finish visually separates it from the kitchen countertop material, while the matching wood finish of the dining table surface helps bring it all together. Some nooks and bay windows have non-standard shapes, so built-in benches really come in handy to maximize the seating space in such areas.
Classic European motifs abound in this white and gray themed kitchen area. Off to the side by the kitchen is a built-in breakfast nook that has the same classic European feel, with its carved and embellished wood built-in bench.
Here we have built in breakfast nook ideas you can take inspiration from:
Built In Breakfast Nook with Bench
This off kitchen bay window design is a little narrow, hence the built-in bench used is a little bit smaller, armless for ease of entry, and paired with a smaller pedestal table to add a bit of contrast to the off-white theme of the space.
Dining nooks in a bay window or bow window can be the perfect spot. This example shows a dining nook with a curved built-in bench. Similar to typical bay window breakfast nooks, this is also placed right by large bow windows, giving it a similar warm and cozy atmosphere.
Continuing the motif of the kitchen, the built-in bench of this breakfast nook blends in with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry, giving it a more seamless, built-in look. It has drawer storage underneath and comfortable seat cushions on top, making it a functional and cozy fixture.
With a modern farmhouse design this built-in window seat with dining table makes cozy use of this corner sun room.
To utilize the hallway end of this galley kitchen, a built-in kitchen nook was installed to maximize the space. Existing overhead cabinets were retained behind the benches, adding additional ledge space for displaying plants, appliances, or other items. The faucet and sink were thoughtfully integrated into the design as a complementary fixture.
Built In Corner Breakfast Nook
Sometimes, we simply want a small corner in the kitchen where we can relax and rest a bit among the hustle and bustle. This L-shaped corner nook is perfect for that. The nook is also strategically placed so that you can still see what’s going on in the kitchen and can easily attend to the food you’re cooking, the faucet, and the sink, all while relaxing in the corner.
If you have no windows by your kitchen nook, you can still recreate a cozy atmosphere by adding artwork on the walls and adding fun / bright-colored cushions to the bench. Finish it off with a unique lamp to give you corner a cozy atmosphere.
The combination of white and powder blue paint adds a refreshing atmosphere to the small breakfast nook area. The movable bench was used, and some offer a storage compartment with a flip-up closure to add more space for linens and accessories. A matching set of trestle table and stools was paired with the wood bench.
Because the kitchen has a spacious window are, this kitchen nook enjoys a full-sized rectangular dining table, and a set of built-in upholstered benches to match.
Kitchen Built In Breakfast Nook
The back of the L-shape kitchen island was used to create a built-in breakfast nook, instead of the typical bar stools. The addition of the cozy nook helps balance and soften the dark woods of this classic style kitchen. Built in breakfast nook ideas that use kitchen island benches can be functional, save space and are great for conversations and those with families.
For this contemporary kitchen, instead of building a bench built on or against the kitchen island, this instead adds a built-in dining table placed perpendicular to the center of the kitchen island. The small breakfast nook is furnished with four tulip chairs to match the modern look of the kitchen.
Because the window is located nearby the sunlight is maximized by placing a small built-in bench by the window. The bench is paired with a wooden dining table and mismatched dining chairs, giving it a casual, shabby-chic feel. the addition of plants helps add a touch of the outdoors to the design.
With the charming classic French furniture pieces and motifs, this kitchen definitely exudes elegance and luxury. But despite the grandiose feel of the kitchen, the breakfast nook adds a casual and cozy element to the space. Classic French style interiors to feel a little formal and intimidating, but the addition of the small cozy breakfast nook attached to the kitchen island with nearby sink and faucet adds functionality and a casual space to the area.
Matching the cozy, rustic vibe of the kitchen, this bay window breakfast nook adds curtains to filter the sunlight. The cushioned seat of the built-in bench matches the curtain, giving it a cohesive look. Various sizes and patterns of pillows were also added to give it a more relaxed atmosphere. A kitchen island breakfast bar provides more opportunity for eat-in dining.
A small L-shaped built-in bench was cut out into the large kitchen island to create a small breakfast nook. The design is integrated into the island, making it look like it was always part of the design. The breakfast nook design not only provides more space to display items, but it is also more comfortable and gives a more laid-back feel.
What’s unique about this breakfast nook is that it is large and takes up two walls, as if it were built for a family. It’s illuminated by a single pendant above the dining table. The bench is a built-in L-shape bench with a backrest and removable seat cushions. It was paired with a bamboo wood table and a white solid surface top to add a rustic element to the space.
The outdoor view provide a very relaxed and casual atmosphere to this classic style breakfast nook. The view, combined with the cushioned bench, tufted seat, and large floral print cushion adds to its cozy character. The white bench was paired with vintage oblong dining table and classic white wood chairs and a small white wood stool to complete the shabby chic look of the space.
For this contemporary kitchen, a small kitchen DIY breakfast nook was created with a movable straight bench with a smooth wooden backrest. Throw pillows as seat cushion were added to balance the rough texture of the brick wall and add a little color and charm to the space.
To match the classic Chippendale chairs and the classic art hung on the walls, the built-in bench adds a classic nail-head trim detailing and is upholstered in a classic stripe fabric. Built-in breakfast nook ideas with bench seating often have chairs with matching upholstery to give a cohesive design.
Since the kitchen is small, a compact design was used for this breakfast nook. Space is maximized by utilizing the bench as a drawer/storage space, and the additional dining chairs has a slim & light design. For contrast, the dining table used is black, and a framed blackboard was also added behind the bench.
The use of beadboard panels for the built-in bench in the breakfast nook adds a nice contrast and adds texture to the white-themed kitchen. The stark difference in color/finish visually separates it from the kitchen countertop material, while the matching wood finish of the dining table surface helps bring it all together.
This breakfast nook was built into the space between the column and the bar cabinet, allowing the utilization of a previously unused corner. The rush-back chairs add a laid-back vibe to the small space, and adds a textural element that still matches the overall motif of the space. A small home bar is situated next to the kitchen peninsula providing a stylish place for wine storage and easy access for entertaining guests.
Although located in a semi-basement space, this small breakfast nook still receives a lot of natural light, thanks to the wide windows placed near the ceiling. Because of a limited ceiling height, the bench itself is kept simple and low with drawer storage, and removable seat & back cushions. White metal sled chairs were also added to match the white dining table, and a unique ceiling lamp was also added to keep the atmosphere cozy.
Small Built In Breakfast Nook
Small built in breakfast nook ideas often feature a corner bench with a portable dining table and matching chairs. With this type of setup the table and chairs can be positioned separately to accommodate different amounts of guests.
This is an excellent example of a small built-in kitchen nook. This one features a narrow built-in wood bench that doubles as extra storage space, paired with a small rectangular dining table and two matching upholstered dining chairs. Teal and blue pillows were added to add color and provide back support for the users.
You don’t always need a big space for a breakfast nook. This breakfast nook is placed on a small, tight corner of the kitchen, so a small built-in bench was used to maximize the corner space. To save space, a modern marble pedestal table was used, and the additional dining chairs used were clear acrylic so that the space doesn’t look too crowded.
Some nooks and bay windows have non-standard shapes, so built-in benches really come in handy to maximize the limited space available.
Since this breakfast nook is situated near a door, no additional dining chairs were added to avoid a traffic jam. Instead, a square dining table was used to be able to place dining chairs on the 3 open sides without compromising passage to the door. Small built in breakfast nook ideas with benches and portable tables can benefit from flexibility for use near doors or in smaller spaces.
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