10 breakfast nook ideas, from morning coffee to nightcap
Silk pillows and vintage ceramic pendant light brighten a New York City dining nook (detail). Design: Time & Place Interiors
Those of us used to living in New York apartments know that dining space comes at a premium. Many folks in this city have just a small breakfast nook. And that’s meant as a spot at which to eat not only their breakfast, but their lunch and dinner too. If that weren’t enough, now the hardworking little breakfast area has become an extra work-from-home spot. Talk about multi-function!
Even if you have the tiniest dining area, there’s room for creativity in making it stylish. Think of the small space as an opportunity to make a big design statement for such an important all-purpose room. A well-designed breakfast nook will give you enjoyment throughout the day, from your morning coffee, all the way to winding down for an intimate after-dinner drink.
So, how do you design the perfect breakfast nook?
Hang a beautiful pendant light centered above the dining area’s table. Careful to not hang it too high: the lower it is, the more it creates an intimate glow.
If you can fit just a couple of chairs in your breakfast nook, make sure they’re interesting ones. They could be vintage cafe chairs, reupholstered antiques, or contemporary stools with a sculptural quality. Mismatched chairs are great too.
Don’t forget the decor. A small breakfast nook is the perfect place to be intentional with cushion textiles and accessories. Hang good art, hand painted ceramic plates, or a mirror to make the small dining space appear bigger.
I’ve rounded up 10 breakfast nook ideas for your inspiration. Grab a cup of coffee and savor these pretty small space designs.
An interesting pendant lamp is a great way to give structure to a breakfast nook. Design: Ida Lauga / Photo: Ulrika Nihlén
For my Uptown Manhattan client, I used a Mid Century vintage ceramic light and mixed pattern silk pillows to brighten a previously dark dining area. Design: Time & Place Interiors
Natural materials, muted tones, and sculptural shapes are a classy combo in this moody breakfast nook. Design: Bungalowe / Photo: Shade Degges
A vintage chrome table and matching Gio Ponti chairs punch up the style factor in this Manhattan apartment’s breakfast nook. Design: Ryan Lawson / Photo: Ori Harpaz
In this sweet dining spot, a 1950s marble table and Italian vintage chairs provide a unique take on cafe style. Design: Melissa Tingley / Photo: Tim Hirschmann
Small doesn’t have to mean bland! A vintage Gae Aulenti lamp, onyx table, and hand-knotted silk pillows spice up the breakfast nook in a Tudor home. Design: Osmose Design / Photo: Dina Avila
Mid Century is the name of the game in this vibrant breakfast area, with a smoked lucite dining set, a Sonneman lamp, vintage cookbooks, and Turkish rug. Design: Deborah Gleiberman / Photo: Jenna Peffley
A simple Brooklyn dining nook gets the mod treatment with a pair of mismatched sculptural chairs. Design: Joshua Itiola / Photo: Max Burkhalter
There’s no space too small for fabulous antiques. Gustavian chairs reupholstered in Pierre Frey fabric work perfectly in this bold New York breakfast nook. Design: Carlos David / Photo: Douglas Friedman
A gallery wall is a great way to decorate a small dining nook, like in this French style Prewar apartment. Design: Colombe Design / Photo: Pion Studio
BONUS:
Small country house spaces demand creative dining area solutions, too. Mid Century chairs fit seamlessly into the rustic environment of a 19th Century Hudson Valley home. Design: Sara and Sohail Zandi / Photo: Tim Lenz
Ready to make the best of your breakfast nook?
Time & Place Interiors is a New York-based design studio that specializes in mixing vintage and modern decor for a personalized space. Founder Ksenya Malina can help you maximize the design and function of your space, from a tiny breakfast nook to a formal dining room. Use the link below to schedule a free 20-minute information call with Ksenya:
