I don't want to say that nooks are trendy, but they are certainly prevalent and are a space that you want to make the most of if you have one in your home. And if one isn't pre-existing in your place yet you like the cozy look and feel, you can easily create your own.
If your kitchen is large enough to facilitate a corner bench, it's fairly easy to create a breakfast nook instead of the standard free-standing dining table. If you've got an extra closet (not sure who does these days) take a tip from Real Simple and turn it into a reading nook and library! It's a fantastic and extremely clever idea that turned out so beautifully.
A more traditional and relaxing form of nook is the reading nook. Plush cushions, pillows and blankets create the perfect spot to plop down and finish your favorite book. Reading nooks are all about comfort and being undeniably inviting — so much so that when you see one you're immediately drawn to it.
Nooks come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for numerous things — that's what's so awesome. If you have an unused area that'd be perfect for a nook, create a vanity space, library, reading area or mini art gallery. How would you use a nook?
Images: 1. Living Etc, 2. Real Simple, 3. Graham Atkins Hughes, 4. Style At Home, 5. Kristen Lubbe
Find Your Style: 20 Classic to Contemporary Kitchens to Add to Your Inspiration Board
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
10 Ways to Put a Muffin Pan to Good Use (Other Than Making Muffins!)
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
I LOVE that second picture.
Image #3 is killing it. I love seeing that space when it pops up around the interwebs.
I don't think nooks are trendy at all. As a matter of fact, I think they are classic. And absolutely wonderful. This selection represents nooks at their best. Love em.
Agree!!
Love the marble top table in pic 1! I could happily eat breakfast there!
Tracy@
dailydecorator.com
I'm a big fan of nooks, especially reading nooks, especially in odd corners that can't otherwise be conveniently be utilised. Image no. 2 pushes all my envy buttons, but really, all of these images are fabulous. Love the big blue G and little stretch of lighter blue above it.
#3: How to decorate with dead tribbles.
Apparently nooks are not for everyone. On visiting an acquaintance's new house for dinner, I commented on what a great little dining nook they had (it was). It filtered back later that they were mortally offended that I had referred to their dining room (it wasn't) in that way. What they saw as criticism of lack of space, I was actually praising their creativity and feeling of warmth and welcome. I've always sought out older, quirky places to live. They had really wanted something newer and more conventional. Who knew!
i love the painting in picture 1. Does anyone know where to get one?
<< #3: How to decorate with dead tribbles. >>
How do you know they're dead? Under-bench storage could include a stash of quadrotriticale.
;-)
I have once again been inspired by AT to put a long percolating plan into action! Thanks!
I've always had a love of nooks. I agree that they're so classic and timeless. As a little girl, I yearned for a bedroom with a nook in the window with a plush, padded bench, where I could read and write in my journal or write poetry. Alas, our home couldn't accommodate that.
But, now that I own my own home, I love creating little reading nooks. We're still renovating most of our house, but so far we have a comfy chair and ottoman nestled into tall bookcases that wrap around a corner of our office. It's both a space of its own, and a nice place to perch when hanging out with whomever happens to be playing on their computer. We also had an awkward space in our back room, behind the sofa and before the kitchen/breakfast bar. So we filled it with another comfy chair and ottoman, and I'm seeking out the perfect end table and reading lamp. It's right next to a floor to ceiling window, so I love sitting there and staring outside.
Fortunately my husband loves the nooks too. On our wish list is a bay window in the front room where we can a well-padded bench (possibly with a bookcase built into the bottom of it) and lots of pillows. It'll do double duty as the spot to put our Christmas tree in December (after temporarily relocating the bench for the holidays).
I love cozy reading nooks too--very classic style. I love the deer painting in the first picture and of course the second picture. Love the rustic wood in the last picture. Love the selection.
i love the deer image in the first photo! does anyone know where i can find it or something similar?