How to Add a Breakfast Nook to a Kitchen

Determine who will use the breakfast nook the most and how they will use it. Take these factors into consideration when designing the breakfast nook. If it will be used by adults in the family for a quick cup of coffee in the morning then used by the children for several hours a day for homework, you may want to make the nook child-friendly by using bright colors and making sure the seating is not too deep.

Decide on the location of the breakfast nook by drawing the kitchen to scale on graph paper. Study the traffic patterns in the kitchen, such as from the entryway to the refrigerator or oven. Include any French or sliding glass doors that lead out to a deck. Place the breakfast nook away from the flow of traffic to preserve its intimate, private setting. Examine the configuration of the kitchen to get an idea of where to place the breakfast nook, such as a bay or bow window.

Choose a breakfast nook design based on the space it will fill. An L-shaped booth is ideal for a corner of the room while a U-shape or semi-circular design will seat more people but take up more space. Booths and tables with benches are suited to small spaces. A do-it-yourself seat box or kitchen cabinetry can serve as the base for a banquette. Benches add seating capacity.

Select durable fabric that is stain-resistant for banquette or booth seat cushions. Leather is a good option, if your budget allows, because it is resistant to tears and punctures and remains cool to the touch in the summertime while staying warm in the winter. For children, comfy cushions in bright colors can complement the neutral tones of the seat box and table.