19 Small Breakfast Nooks That Will Make You Want to Whip Up Some Brunch

You may think that a breakfast nook is only a luxury of those with ample square footage — but think again. Whether you have an alcove where you can enjoy your morning cuppa or a side table setup inside your teensy kitchen, you, too can have a breakfast nook. (And, of course, a nook isn’t the only way to carve out some kitchen dining space. An island breakfast bar, even if your island is in a small kitchen, is another great option.)

To help you cook up some inspiration for your own home, don’t miss the 19 stylish small breakfast nook ideas below. 

If you don’t already have a bench built into your kitchen, build one and paint it to look like part of the space. The bench in this Copenhagen apartment is the perfect example, creating a seamless, cozy seating area that serves as a small breakfast nook in the corner of the kitchen.

The kitchen in the Brooklyn apartment of author Oliver Jeffers and family may be tiny, but they maximize storage space with narrow wall shelves holding a variety of knick-knacks, kitchen supplies, and dishware. In the corner near the window, they added a round wooden table and contrasting black chairs to fill the space and offer a cozy spot to eat.

We love a good thrift. Not only is thrifting sustainable, but it’s also budget-friendly. In this Seattle rental, a thrifted butcher block table and a few simple stools make an adorable (and functional) small breakfast nook and open up the narrow kitchen.

Unfortunately, not all spaces are easy to work with, as you can see in this designer’s West Hollywood apartment. Some buildings, especially older ones, have floorplans that aren’t conducive to modern design, leaving you scratching your head when it’s time to decorate. This designer used all the space available, creating a breakfast nook with a table and chairs just outside the kitchen.

The funky blue kitchen in this California home may not have space for more than a small table and four chairs, but we love the way the homeowner brings it together using a cohesive color palette. The bright yellow chairs coordinate perfectly with the bold curtain pattern, which ties the two contrasting colors — yellow and blue — together.

The seafoam green kitchen in this Seattle home features a cut-out just the right size for a table and two chairs. The best way to design a small breakfast nook is to avoid overdoing it; don’t try to cram more chairs than will naturally fit in the space. 

This small breakfast nook plays right into the Italian countryside vibe found in the kitchen from this home in Umbria. The whole scene looks like it was plucked right out of a movie. 

Believe it or not, the Scandi-style bench in this light and bright breakfast nook is actually an IKEA BESTA TV unit. Add in pretty throw pillows and a statement lamp, and there’s so much to love about this petite space.

This Toronto house has a breakfast nook full of eclectic décor finds and cheerful pops of color.

This spacious breakfast nook has a cozy modern farmhouse feel. It looks high end, but some of its elements were actually found on Facebook Marketplace, such as the bench and chairs, making the overall makeover of the space cost just $500.

Don’t be afraid to play with patterns and texture, as seen in this eye-catching breakfast nook in interior designer Jessica Davis’ Millburn, New Jersey house. She describes her style as eclectic, and this space showcases that spectacularly.

Transform an awkward kitchen corner into a retro-style small breakfast nook with nothing more than a petite table, like this one-legged beauty we saw in Jade Goulding’s home tour, and a comfy bench or banquette.

A cozy reading spot doubles as a useful breakfast nook when paired with a slender side table, as seen in Sarah and Morgan’s home tour.

Leafy house plants give Elsie Larson’s simple breakfast nook with a round table and chairs a natural touch. 

Everything about this boho breakfast nook in a beach bungalow is to die for, from the wallpapered accent wall to the built-in banquette seating. Homeowner Madison Bess actually DIY-ed a lot of it, making it a relatively affordable transformation. 

Margaret added picture molding into her 1919 Atlanta home’s breakfast nook for a luxe feel, playing into the apartment’s history. Paired with a tiny table and eye-catching light fixture, this space is picture perfect.

A rolling table or kitchen cart with open shelving provides a storage opportunity and more counter space when needed, as seen in Shannon’s home tour.

You can forge a breakfast nook inside even the tiniest of kitchens by pairing a slim bar table with slender stools, as we saw in Alison’s home tour.

Hoping to score your own breakfast nook but not working with a ton of kitchen space? Take a cue from Adam’s home tour and pair a wall-mounted fold down table with a couple of stools along your longest kitchen wall.