Boost Your Kitchen Seating with Storage-Packed Breakfast Nook Ideas
Tired of an underutilized kitchen space? Looking to add extra seating for family meals or morning coffee? A breakfast nook can transform wasted corners into stylish multi-purpose areas. Strategic nooks not only offer a cozy spot to gather, but also incorporate storage solutions to keep your kitchen organized. Read on for savvy breakfast nook ideas that maximize seating and tuck-away storage.
Built-In Breakfast Nooks
What is a Built-In Breakfast Nook?
A built-in breakfast nook refers to a dining space that is physically integrated into the architecture and layout of your kitchen. Built-in nooks feature bench seating constructed directly into the framing of walls, often tucked into unused corners or spaces. The benches typically surround a table on two or three sides. Built-in nooks are customized to flawlessly fit your unique kitchen footprint for an efficient, space-saving solution.
Unlike freestanding furniture pieces, built-in nooks become part of the aesthetic flow of the kitchen. Materials like wood or tile seamlessly match cabinetry and counters for a unified appearance. Building the nook into the existing layout allows for maximized seating capacity. The customized bench lengths and table size are scaled to perfectly suit your needs and dimensions.
Design and Layout Options
When planning a built-in nook, consider the size and geometry of your kitchen space. Nooks come in configurations like U-shapes, L-shapes, or curved corners to take advantage of unused angled spaces. Stick with simple 90-degree corners for easier construction. If your kitchen has a window, align the nook to include window seating for refreshing natural light during meals.
Assess the amount of seating you require. Nooks designed for larger families may opt for bench seating on three walls wrapping around in a U. For smaller spaces, an L-shaped layout with benches on two adjoining walls can suffice. Measure your empty corner space to determine ideal bench sizing and shape.
Built-In Seating and Table Options
Built-in nooks allow flexibility in your choice of seating. Curving banquette-style benches padded with cushions offer a comfortable feel. For easy maintenance, opt for wood or tile bench tops with removable cushion covers. Bench shape can be straight, angled, or curved to align with room geometry. Tables are commonly rectangular or rounded to tuck into the nook space.
While built-in benches are most popular, you can also customize built-in seating with individual chairs, stools or booths for additional modularity. Mixing chairs with a long bench on one side accommodates large groups. Just ensure your table suits the seating arrangement.
Incorporating Storage
Inclusion of discreet storage space turns a basic nook into a functional utility. Opt for built-in benches with hidden drawers or open cubby holes underneath to stash items conveniently out of sight. Drawers offer enclosed storage for utensils and clutter, while cubbies work well for cookbooks, placemats or baskets. End-of-bench storage is also an option for tucking away unique nook accessories.
Extra cabinets or shelving above the built-in bench provide storage solutions for dishes, mugs or barware depending on proximity to the kitchen workspace. Any wall space flanking the nook can also be utilized for cabinetry. Get creative with how you take advantage of every square inch!
Freestanding Breakfast Nooks
Modular Bench and Table Sets
Freestanding nooks provide flexible, movable pieces that allow you to reconfigure your space anytime. Many companies sell full modular nook sets with a table and matching benches. Look for space-saving benches with retractable tops or drawers for storage. Sets are available in materials like finished wood, metal and polyresins.
If you have existing kitchen chairs, simply place a pedestal table into a corner and arrange chairs around two sides. For table shape, circular or oval work well for curved nooks, while square or rectangular facilitate bench seating. Make sure to measure area dimensions to find a table size that fits without crowding.
Decorative Touches
Part of a nook’s appeal is creating a stylish dining spot differentiated from the rest of the kitchen. Affordable details like bench cushions, throw pillows and accent rugs add eye-catching flair. Displaying decorative plates or hanging curtains gives the nook a special touch.
For laid-back breakfast nooks, try washable cushion covers in bright patterns and distressed wood finishes. Formal nooks may incorporate refined fabrics like upholstered bench cushions and elegant place settings. Themed nooks like rustic farmhouse or retro diners use accessories to transport diners.
Storage Benches and Ottomans
Storage benches are a multi-functional furniture piece that serve both seating and organizational needs. Look for lift-top benches that conceal interior storage space. Useful for storing kids’ toys, pet supplies, board games, blankets and more, storage benches prevent clutter from taking over.
Pay attention to storage capacity and options like open cubbies, enclosed drawers, adjustable shelves or lidded seat tops. Sturdy wooden bench frames and upholstered cushion tops complement any existing decor. Round ottomans with lift-top storage are also trendy nook seating options.
Corner Breakfast Nooks
Taking Advantage of Corner Space
For the most efficient use of area, corner nooks are prime locations that transform dead space into useful real estate. The symmetry of the walls allows for tailored construction of angled, curved or rounded benches, banquettes and chairs. An open corner layout completely removes the inner wall for a wide-open nook.
Look for "pie wedge" shaped tables that conform to the corner layout. Circular or curved tables also fit like a puzzle piece into angled spaces. Measure the full span of the corner to make sure your pieces utilize all available space.
Corner Banquettes
Banquettes make a refined seating choice for corner nooks. The long cushioned bench is built directly into the nook on one, two or three walls in an L or U shape. With plush upholstered cushions atop the base, banquettes provide comfort and support for lingering family meals.
Many banquettes incorporate storage underneath, accessible by lifting the bench cushions. Built-in drawers keep essentials like napkins and flatware out of sight but within arm’s reach. Use top of the bench for displaying accent pieces or trailing vine plants.
Decor and Storage Tips
Fill empty vertical space above banquettes with wall-mounted shelving for dishes, cookbooks or decor. A slim hutch or cabinet with glass doors fits into shallow nooks. Repurpose the unused corner triangle with a petite shelf for artwork and knickknacks.
Incorporate greenery and brightness with potted corner plants like succulents and snake plants. For dusty corners lacking windows, try low-light vines or artificial plants. Sconce lighting ambiently illuminates the nook when natural light is scarce.
From built-ins to freestanding furniture, breakfast nooks are primed for customization to your home. Maximize corner space usage with tailored bench seating and tables. Seek nooks that allow you to tuck clutter out of sight in clever under-bench and lift-lid storage solutions.
Now that you’re inspired to create storage-packed seating in overlooked kitchen areas, it’s time to start planning your dream nook design. Bring your family together in a comfortable, organized spot that complements your lifestyle.