Breakfast Nook Ideas for a Cozy Morning Routine

A breakfast nook is a wonderful addition to any home. There’s nothing quite like enjoying your morning coffee in a cozy little dining nook. But these small spaces can be a little tricky to design in a way that feels cohesive.

In contrast to a formal dining room, a breakfast nook is often part of a larger space, such as a kitchen, a living room, or even a sunroom. They’re small, cozy spaces that are often used throughout the day. In addition to breakfast, many people use their breakfast nook for small dinner gatherings, board-game nights, or for kids’ homework. 

When designing a breakfast nook, you’ll want to strike the right balance between style and function, and make sure the finishes you choose go well with the rest of the room. Here are our top breakfast nook ideas to make your space work for you.

Features to Include in a Breakfast Nook

Comfortable Seating

Seating is a key consideration in any dining area. It’s especially important in a casual space you’ll use on a daily basis, so you want to make sure you have a comfortable place to sit. Depending on your style and space, you can opt for individual chairs or a bench seat. For large families, it can be helpful to choose a round table to allow for more chairs. 

Storage Solutions

Breakfast nooks tend to be compact because they’re often located in or just off a kitchen or kitchenette. Smart storage solutions are vital for a stylish and practical eat-in nook. Here are a few storage options that can help you make the most of your space:

• Under-bench storage
• Corner shelves and floating shelves
• A nearby coffee cart or hutch
• Hooks for towels and mugs

A Table Cloth or Place Settings

Adding tabletop décor items to your nook is one of the best ways to elevate your dining experience. From charming table cloths, to personalized place settings, to small potted plants, there are a number of inviting table decorations you can incorporate.

Personal Touches

While carefully crafted interior design can be beautiful, it’s the personal touches that really make a space feel like home. Be sure to add design elements that reflect your personality and help tell the story of you. These may include:

• Knick-knacks you’ve picked up on vacation 
• Family photos and heirlooms
• Your favorite art pieces
• A homemade cookbook of family recipes

Window Coverings

Many breakfast nooks are situated under large windows. This allows natural light to fill the space, which makes for a great early-morning atmosphere. The window coverings you choose for your breakfast nook can have a big impact on the lighting and mood in your space. Try shutters, café curtains, or even roman shades to filter light.

Decorative Wallpaper

One of the most popular breakfast nook ideas is to create some separation between the nook and the rest of the room with a unique wallpaper. This is especially effective if you choose a wallpaper in a distinctive pattern that incorporates colors from the rest of the space. 

Do you have white kitchen cabinets with metallic hardware? Try a wallpaper like the lotus golden taupe floral wallpaper that incorporates both of these elements.

Charming Light Fixtures

The right light fixtures can really transform the look and feel of a breakfast nook. If you want to create an elegant, upscale atmosphere, try adding a beautiful chandelier. If you’re hoping to achieve an intimate, cozy feel, try some decorative wall sconces. Just make sure your lighting solutions don’t compete with the natural lighting in the space.

Cozy Cottage Breakfast Nook

A cottage style is ideal for small spaces and older homes. Cottages are famously warm and inviting, making them the perfect inspiration for a cozy eating area. 

Here are some charming design elements to create the perfect cottage-core breakfast nook:

• A soft neutral or pastel color palette
• Potted plants
• Sheer curtains
• Reclaimed or distressed wooden furniture
• Decorative knick-knacks (dolls, tea sets, vintage photos, globes, etc.)
• Floral or plaid patterned tablecloths, wallpapers, and napkins – the floral lace natural cotton wallpaper, the botanic stripe ash blue floral wallpaper, and the clark plaid berteau beige wallpaper are all excellent options.

Parisian Café Breakfast Nook

If you’re looking for breakfast nook ideas that feel elegant yet still casual, draw your inspiration from traditional Parisian cafés. Here are a few features that can help incorporate this look into your breakfast nook:

• A bistro table with a bench and chairs
• Chic café curtains
• A baker’s rack with a variety of coffee options
• Paintings or photographs depicting the streets of Paris
• An elegant patterned wallpaper in a neutral color, like the porcelain flora wallpaper

Breezy Lake House Breakfast Nook

Whether you live on the water or not, a breakfast nook inspired by a relaxing lake house creates the perfect mood for a soothing, laid-back start to the day. Neutral colors like beige and cream combined with soft blues and greens set the mood for this look.

Here are a few lake house breakfast nook ideas to add:

• Wicker or rattan chairs
• An understated wallpaper in a soothing blue or green hue, like the sea grass seafoam wallpaper
• Place mats
• A vase filled with wildflowers
• Photos taken on family vacations

Bright and Sunny Breakfast Nook

Soaking up some natural light in the morning is great for your mood and physical health. So why not invite the light into your breakfast nook? 

Here are a few ways to make your breakfast nook feel bright and sunny:

• If you have a dedicated sunroom, use it for your breakfast nook setting
• Place your eat-in area next to a window 
• Opt for sheer curtains or none at all
• Choose a light wallpaper, such as chevron white wallpaper or the linen wisteria floral wallpaper

Breathe Life Into Your Mornings With Mitchell Black Wallpapers

The way you start your morning can have a big impact on how you feel throughout the entire day. By creating a cozy, warm, and relaxing atmosphere in your breakfast nook with your favorite colors and finishes, you can start your day off right. 

At Mitchell Black, we have a wallpaper to suit any personal style. Our collections are filled with a wide array of colors, patterns, and textures. Choose from peel and stick, premium paper, and type II vinyl varieties and transform your space.