4 min readPictured above: An elevated breakfast nook designed by Dezirae Bruni Interiors.
Breakfast nooks have long been gracing the pages of House Beautiful (we have been around for 130 years, after all), but it seems like these casual corners are having a major resurgence lately. Almost every home featured in interior design magazines or showing up on social media feeds seems to have a dedicated, built-in area solely for informal meals, and it begs the question: why is this nook so popular now?
Breakfast nooks are, by no means, new in the home. They’re rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement, emerging in the early 20th century as ideas and expectations regarding domestic life shifted and were popularized through bungalow housing, according to Arch Daily. As residences became smaller, the once great Victorian-era breakfast room shrank down to a simple nook within the confines of the kitchen.
Today, with many homeowners prioritizing multifunctional design and flexible spaces that can adapt with their needs over time, the return of the breakfast nook isn’t the least bit shocking.
“People are increasingly drawn to spaces that feel comfortable, intimate, and genuinely useful, and a breakfast nook checks all of those boxes,” designer Lindsey Herod explains. A space like this can become the go-to spot at home for completing homework, piecing together puzzles, catching up over a drink, or, of course, sitting down to enjoy a meal.
That’s exactly why designer Amy Zolin of Clarity Home Interiors believes people are so drawn to these spaces: they’re a destination. A center island is often the focal point of a kitchen, and it’s used as a gathering space, a prep space, a buffet, and more. A built-in breakfast nook, however, feels less utilitarian and more like its own intentional, cozy little world.
As the world becomes more technological and “efficiency” becomes more important, people are yearning for a slower pace of life, and a breakfast nook is only one way to achieve that in the home.
“There is something nostalgic and traditional about the breakfast nook,” designer Dezirae Bruni says, “but today’s versions feel highly personal and tailored to the way a family actually lives.”
Here’s what to know about styling a breakfast nook at home.
How Designers Style Breakfast Nooks
There are typically four main factors that go into styling a breakfast nook: the table, the textiles, the lighting, and the seating. While each designer puts their own spin on these areas, many of the general rules of thumb remain the same.
The Table
Many designers agree that a round table, specifically a pedestal table, is the best choice for a breakfast nook. Not only does it make the conversation flow better between everyone seated, but it’s easier to navigate around with its soft edges and curves. Placing a lazy Susan at its center furthers the communal sensibility.
When it comes to the table’s material, Herod enjoys using this as an opportunity to introduce natural warmth with a beautiful wood finish, as it can often bring “contrast and natural texture against the upholstery and painted millwork.”
The Textiles
As designer Michelle Lisac puts it: “The upholstery is where we really have fun.” From the bench cushion to the pillows to the tablecloth and placemats, infusing color and pattern gives the breakfast nook its own distinct personality within the larger room.
“Depending on the project, we might create fully upholstered, built-in seating for a more tailored look, or use removable cushions for something softer and more relaxed,” Lisac says. “Either way, the goal is to make it feel inviting—like a little room within a room that you naturally want to settle into.” Just make sure whatever you use is a performance fabric that can easily be cleaned.
The pop of pattern shouldn’t just end at the banquette, though. Designer Shaolin Low of Studio Shaolin likes to install wallpaper behind the breakfast nook for an additional layer of visual interest. And if wallpaper isn’t possible in this area, choosing patterned window treatments is the next best thing.
The Lighting
These nooks serve as another place for stellar lighting in the kitchen, but instead of task lighting, many designers make sure to make a statement. “I love to add decorative lighting to the space—think an interesting vintage or one-of-a-kind chandelier and maybe even sconces if there is enough wall space to accommodate them,” says designer Debbie Mathews. A beautiful light fixture hanging above the table prevents overcrowding and helps to emphasize the area’s own personality as the jewelry of the space.
The Seating
Since the breakfast nook is intended to be a multifunctional space, it’s a great opportunity to incorporate some clever storage. Whether the banquette is a true built-in or styled to look like one, it’s smart to include drawers, cubbies for baskets, or a flip-open bench seat to hold extra items.
“It's the kind of thing clients forget they need until they have it and can't imagine life without it,” designer Olivia Botrie of Dart Studio explains.
