How To Create A Dining Nook In Your Kitchen, According To Interior Designers

Got your eye on all of the biggest kitchen trends? While many designers might tell you that coffee nooks are the must-have feature of every kitchen, dining nooks are now proving just as popular. But what exactly is a dining nook, and how can you create one in your own kitchen? We turned to the experts for some dining nook ideas.

Dining Nook Ideas For Every Kitchen

What Is A Dining Nook?

Put plainly, a dining nook (or breakfast nook) is a small, cosy area of your kitchen that’s typically used for informal dining. Think morning coffees, quick snacks or casual dinners with friends.

While dining nooks aren’t an essential part of your kitchen, they offer a brilliant opportunity to make use of tight corners or otherwise empty sections of the room – and they also allow for plenty of experimentation when it comes to design. Wondering how to put one together? Here are a few tips from interior designers.

How To Get The Look

Bespoke Banquettes

(c) Taran Wilkhu

‘Small, tucked away spaces can make wonderful dining nooks,’ says Ed O’Donnell, creative director of Angel O’Donnell. ‘Designed well, they’ll prove an irresistible draw for friends and family or, indeed, quiet alone time with a coffee and a good read.’

While dining nooks will help you utilise your space, it’s crucial to create a functional design. ‘To make the most of the space you have, go bespoke with a made-to-measure banquette,’ advises Ed. ‘As soon as it slots neatly into place like a jigsaw piece, you won’t regret it: made-to-measure will utilise every square inch most effectively, ensuring that you can accommodate enough people as comfortably as possible.’

In a recent project at The OWO Residences, Angel O’Donnell created a dining nook that featured a custom banquette alongside a ‘glass-top dining table cut to size and two upcycled mid-century chairs. They finished off the space using ‘piles of cushions, a simple pendant light, and three decorative wall plates for added visual interest.’ 

Cosy Seating

(c) Astrid Templier

Any small space has the potential to be wonderfully cosy, and this is where a clever choice of seating (and lighting) can really transform your nook. 

‘Dining nooks strike the perfect balance between intimate and relaxed – and they’re significantly more informal than a living or dining room,’ notes Claire Sá, co-founder of De Rosee Sa. During a recent project, the team ‘introduced a rooflight over the dining nook to make it feel warm and inviting, using upholstered furniture and a custom-designed dining table by Ed Keyser to evoke a contemporary design sensibility.’ 

Bold Colours

(c) Simon Brown

When designing a family apartment in Holland Park, interior designers at Studio Vero experimented with ‘colours, textures, and decorative elements’ to create ‘a welcoming corner where the banquette seating paired beautifully with statement chairs opposite,’ says co-founder and partner Romanos Brihi.

‘Banquette seating is a fantastic way to maximise space while creating an intimate gathering spot, making it ideal for family kitchens,’ he adds. ‘While the family has a formal dining room, this inviting nook has become their favoured spot for breakfast gatherings and relaxed evening meals.’