Breakfast Nooks and Cozy Seating

Updated on: September 5, 2022

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where families gather, cook, dine, and live. It’s the homework station, the landing spot at the end of a long day, and the hub for holiday meals. It’s arguably the most multi-functional space in the home, which is why it has to be COMFORTABLE.

Photo by Allison Aars [The Festive Farmhouse]

When I was a little girl, I found myself drawn to eating nooks and bench seating. I vowed that I would one day have a kitchen banquet, flanked with pillows. Or better yet, a couch in my kitchen. With a fireplace! (Because a girl can dream, right?)

But…how do you coz-i-fy (it’s my new word, go with it) your kitchen space without going through a massive remodel? Here are three easy ways:

1. Add texture.

Texture, my friends, is the key to comfort. If you want a space to feel a certain way, you have to “communicate” that. If you want your guests to plop down and stay awhile, then create a soft landing place that they’ll never want to leave. Think cushioned seating, pillows, and curtains. Anything that speaks the language of “cozy.” Anything that feels like a warm hug, and a warm place to land. I even have blankets near my bench seating for cold mornings.

Any cabinetry shown below is not from Cabinets.com

Photo by JS Interiors [J S Interiors]

2. Make it functional.

Keep in mind, that even after you communicate comfort, the space has to be functional. Make sure there is plenty of leg room, the chairs are the proper height, and that the table is large enough to comfortably seat guests. And when it comes to fabrics? Keep them functional too. Opt for indoor/outdoor fabrics or vinyls that can be wiped clean or machine washed.

Any cabinetry shown below is not from Cabinets.com

Photo by Bjorn Wallander [HGTV - Sarah Richardson]

3. Create an enclosure.

The definition of nook is a space that offers seclusion. So think of ways to create just that. Add curtains to create a cozy feel. Build a banquet or add bench seating to create a tucked away space. Don’t think you have the space to create a nook? Fake one. Use plants or wall decor to stage the area in a way that offers coziness.

Any cabinetry shown below is not from Cabinets.com

Photo by Grey Crawford [Collins Design & Development]

Anyone can achieve a cozy dining space. With or without a breakfast nook. It just takes a little creativity, and ingenuity. But with the right mix of texture and function, you can have the nook of your dreams. (Pssst…and your guests' dreams, too.)