Kitchen Nook Ideas for a Charming Eat-In Space

There’s something so cozy and inviting about eating at a kitchen table. While formal dining rooms are generally reserved for larger family gatherings and dinner guests, a kitchen nook is more intimate. It’s a place to enjoy morning coffee and bagels or a casual meal with your immediate family. Many families also use their eat-in kitchen spaces for homework, paying bills, and board games.

But while we tend to put a lot of time and energy into decorating the formal spaces in our homes, kitchen nooks don’t often get the design attention they deserve. It can be tricky to figure out how to decorate these small, casual spaces in a way that feels comfortable and yet still connected to the rest of your home. We’re bringing you designer-inspired kitchen nook ideas for a stylish, cozy eat-in space.

Kitchen Nook Design Ideas

Cozy Seating

Whether your kitchen nook is designed specifically for dining or as a relaxation or reading corner, comfortable seating is essential. From soft fabric chairs to cushioned benches, seating can provide comfort and style in equal measure.

Storage Solutions

Space-saving storage is a key consideration in kitchens, particularly in smaller spaces. There are many creative, multifunctional storage options you can incorporate into your kitchen nook, such as:

• A lift-top bench
• Wall-mounted open shelves
• Fold-away tables

A Coffee Cart

Kitchen nooks and eat-in areas are perfect places to sit back and enjoy your morning coffee. Including a compact coffee or tea station is a great way to save space on your countertop and add a charming touch to your kitchen nook. 

Decorative Wallpaper

Regardless of the style you want to achieve, wallpaper is a simple yet impactful way to elevate your space. In addition to providing ecstatic appeal, wallpaper can also help highlight certain features or offer visual separation in open-concept floor plans.

Shop our curated collection of wallpaper by style.

A Mix of Natural and Artificial Lighting

While kitchen nooks can be used for any purpose and at any time of day, many people use them as breakfast eat-in areas. Using a mix of natural and artificial light can help you start your day off the right way. If you’re fortunate enough to have a window in your nook, consider choosing sheer window coverings or none at all.

When it comes to artificial light, it can be helpful to opt for bulbs that provide soft, warm illumination along with charming fixtures like pendant lighting or rustic chandeliers.

Fresh Flowers

Incorporating florals and greenery into your décor is a great way to make your space feel fresh and airy. Fresh flowers are undeniably beautiful, offer scientifically proven mental health benefits, and can infuse a dose of charm into your kitchen nook. Even a small vase of wildflowers on your kitchen table can go a long way in brightening your day.

Kitchen Nook Design Ideas

Cozy Farmhouse Kitchen Nook 

You don’t have to live in the country to enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a farmhouse kitchen table. You can incorporate farmhouse elements into your kitchen nook in subtle ways to create a casual, rustic vibe in your kitchen, regardless of the kind of neighborhood you live in.

Here are a few farmhouse kitchen nook ideas to get you started:

• A soft, muted color palette
• Wallpaper in a traditional or floral print, like the botanic stripe ash blue floral wallpaper or the clark plaid wood lawn green wallpaper
• A tablecloth in white or a soft cream
• Wooden chairs
• A centerpiece with fresh fruit or flowers

Industrial Chic Kitchen Nook

If you live in a loft apartment or a more modern home, consider incorporating industrial interior design into your spaces. This is one of the most popular styles in recent years, and it’s more versatile than you might think. Industrial kitchen nooks give you the opportunity to experiment with unique textures and combinations of furnishings. 

Here are a few ways to incorporate industrial elements into your eat-in kitchen space:

• Black, multi-paned windows with no window coverings
• Piping, exposed ductwork, or pipe shelving
• Leather upholstered chairs
• A metal table
• Exposed brick walls – or wallpaper that mimics this look, like the wrigley classic brick wallpaper

Bold Eclectic Kitchen Nook

Because kitchen nooks tend to have a smaller footprint, you have the opportunity to really go all out with interesting design choices. Eclectic décor is all about taking risks, combining unexpected elements, and expressing creativity through your interior design.

Here are some features to add to an eclectic kitchen nook:

• Lots of colorful wildflowers
• A tablecloth with a funky pattern
• Mismatched chairs, silverware, and plates
• A creative wallpaper, like the fruit of wine rosé floral wallpaper by Honey + Hank or the seashells green wallpaper by Poketo
• Contrasting patterns, colors, and textures
• Personal knick-knacks
• Layered rugs

French Country Kitchen Nook

French country interiors combine rustic and elevated furnishings and decor to create spaces that feel elegant and yet understated at the same time. A French-country style kitchen nook is ideal for spaces of all sizes, and works especially well in older homes and rural neighborhoods. It allows you to create a space that feels warm and cozy, yet still upscale.

Here are a few French-country inspired kitchen nook ideas:

• Exposed rustic beams
• Café curtains
• A round farmhouse table and chairs
• An elegant chandelier 
• Upholstered seating
• Grasscloth wallpaper in a neutral color, such as the wheat iridescent loose weave grasscloth wallpaper
• Fresh florals or greenery

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Nook

Regardless of when you grew up, the mid-century modern style offers a cozy, nostalgic vibe with both traditional and modern elements. This style first came onto the scene in the mid-1900s, and can be described as a mix of functional and organic design choices. If you want to create a mid-century modern kitchen nook, you need to start by laying the foundation with clean lines and organic materials before making more bold choices with patterns and décor.

Here are some features to consider for your mid-century modern kitchen nook:

• Wooden furniture
• Lots of plants and shrubs
• Geometric wallpaper like the white halsted geometric wallpaper.
• Muted or neutral tones with smaller pops of color
• Metallic retro light fixtures
• Abstract wall art

Transform Your Kitchen Nook With Mitchell Black Wallpapers

Whether you love the old-world charm of French country décor, the authentic ruggedness of industrial design, or the contrasting charm of eclectic interiors, the right wallpaper can help you achieve your vision. At Mitchell Black, we have an extensive collection of wallpapers in a wide array of colors, patterns, styles, and textures to suit any style identity.

Choose from peel and stick, type II vinyl, premium paper, and grasscloth varieties, and watch your vision come to life. If you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for or have questions about wallpaper types and designs, schedule a complimentary session with an expert through our concierge service.