Decorating & Design
February 3, 2022
You’ll Want To Spend Winter Mornings In These Cozy Breakfast Nooks
Whether you’re sliding up to a stack of pancakes with everyone in pyjamas or enjoying a solitary cup of tea, there’s something warm and comforting about a breakfast nook. From charming corner banquettes to modern eat-in kitchen tables, get inspired with these cozy breakfast nooks.
Scroll down to see 60+ of our favorites to cozy up in during the chilly season!
A secluded nook is this kitchen was the perfect spot for a banquette which gets great views of the backyard. An upholstered bench in vinyl is a functional fabric choice for any breakfast room.
Shades of pink bring a soft and inviting feel to this sunny breakfast nook, where Andrew Zimmerman art ties in with fresh florals and a blush banquette.
The dining nook in this bright sunroom lets the homeowner’s get some Vitamin D while sitting down to breakfast. Extra-deep seat cushions with lively pillows give it a welcoming feel.
Who says you need a corner to have a breakfast nook? This happy and bright banquette features an oval table to save on space. A Serge Mouille–style ceiling fixture creates a cohesive look.
This vibrant eat-in banquette exudes Southern charm. An l-shaped bench with buffalo plaid fabric combined with rattan chairs brings old-world style to this comforting corner.
This modern farmhouse breakfast nook is all about understated details. A shiplap pantry flows effortlessly into the banquette, where a long two-tone pillow adds comfort and instant style.
A light blue upholstered banquette with a vintage table is exactly where we’d want to begin any chilly day. Bonus points if there’s hot coffee and a spectacular view of the water (not pictured).
The breakfast nook in this Scandinavian-style farmhouse feels extra cozy against the painted shiplap walls. Neutral toned pillows scattered along the l-shaped bench add to the overall feel.
The whimsical pattern of this black and white banquette adds character to this quaint breakfast corner. The original brick wall behind it was painted white to accentuate the window’s curve.
Forever a fan of banquettes, designer Brian Gluckstein paired bench seating with a smoked glass trumpet table in the 2020 Princess Margaret Showhome. The table ties in nicely with the kitchen’s black metal detailing.
Designer Philip Mitchell framed this charming seating area in his Chester, Nova Scotia, kitchen with a dramatic arch — all the better to highlight a view of the magnificent harbor.
A cozy banquette turns into a major design moment with a black and white photo of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.
Powder blue trellis fabric and a sculptural stone table (that looks like it belongs on a patio) creates a garden-like, airy effect in this kitchen corner. The built-in area sits adjacent to the kitchen; behind it is the mudroom, with storage for shoes cleverly hidden in the back of the banquette.
For this kitchen makeover, designers Cameron MacNeil and Stacey Smithers used the reverse side of a bold fabric for subtler-looking drapes, and created a banquette by fitting an upholstered cushion to low kitchen cabinets, to provide storage as well as seating.
H&H’s Kai Ethier created a soothing spot to start the mornings in her Toronto kitchen, playing off the patterned floor tiles with a solid bench. A floating shelf, bentwood chairs and a mercury glass pendant exude a bistro feel.
Designer Danielle Nicholas Bryk added some edge to her family’s open-concept breakfast nook with striking artwork, black chairs and contrast piping on the banquette’s chinoiserie-style fabric.
This Upstate New York weekend home has a welcoming, communal gathering place for weekend guests, nestled between a fireplace and views of the countryside.
This mod nook gets a space-age spin from a far-out light fixture and Lucite chairs. A gaggle of pillows and gallery wall give the contemporary corner some eclectic flair. The oversized pendant accentuates the ceiling height, while the shapely Saarinen pedestal table and modern classic Ghost chairs keep the corner from feeling crowded.
During his Victorian home renovation, designer Joel Bray created a banquette with tufting and Queen Anne-style legs for the kitchen. The on-trend green velvet upholstery takes it up a notch!
In this elegant Calgary kitchen, designer James McIntyre brought in a long, curvy sofa and sculptural pedestal table for the banquette-style breakfast area. The effect is equal parts chic and comfortable.
To maximize seating in her petite Toronto apartment, Whitney Keeley commissioned a custom table to fit the dining area alcove perfectly so it can comfortably accommodate four. Contrasting backs make chairs more artful in the small, open-concept space.
In this West Coast kitchen, designer Ami McKay removed the peninsula blocking the view of the backyard, replacing it with a stylish floating breakfast bar and enlarged the back window. The view of the green space beyond is now unobstructed.
Designer Alexandra Hutchison didn’t want to contemplate a criss-crossing sea of table and chair legs. So, she opted for a restaurant-style banquette in her tiny 640-square-foot Toronto semi, which doubles as storage with a drawer under the seat for bulky items. Wood panelling, velvet upholstery and arresting art make this a sophisticated, intimate place to sip morning coffee.
Designer Sam Sacks made the most of the bay window in this light-filled kitchen, having a bench custom-built to fit the niche. Creating a banquette-like dining area is simple for the young family: just remove a couple of chairs and shift the table toward the bench.
Simple cabinets from Ikea are dressed up with lots of playful pillows and ocelot-print blinds. Drawers along the base keep special-occasion linens, seasonal accents and serving pieces neatly tucked away.
In this charming Quebec country home, a light-filled breakfast nook overlooking the forest doubles as bookshelves, where dog-eared titles are tucked away in niches under open benches.
A generous U-shaped banquette by designer Joel Bray’s is lined with juicy green velvet cushions to accommodate a crowd. The leafy hue and dark wood ties into the trees outside.
This kitchen nook has a softly romantic French look, with creamy painted panelling that lets the grain show through, a black and white tiled floor and wicker chairs.
Designer Sarah Hartill’s original home had a separate dining room, but this didn’t suit her family’s casual approach to entertaining. The new open plan incorporates a laid-back nook, which also offered Sarah an opportunity to layer in pattern — and add even more storage.
This petite breakfast nook in a Manhattan apartment is loaded with thoughtful detail, such as a built-in mirror that visually expands the space and a cherry-red sconce shade to spice things up.
Aside from hosting family dinner, a spacious banquette is the perfect place to do homework. Tufting and a glossy finish feel luxe, while also being easily wipeable when spills inevitably happen.
See more of this grand new-build on H&H TV.
There’s something so timeless yet graphic about black and wood, as seen in this family-friendly nook banquette. Bentwood chairs feel light and breezy, especially when paired with a whimsical painting.
Fit for a young family, this rustic eating area has plenty of room for messy meals. Plus, custom glazed ceramic pendants — designed by Kyla Bidgood and Kris Hageland — tie the whole look together.
The star of this restaurant-inspired kitchen is the antique church pew which doubles as a banquette. Pops of cobalt blue and bubblegum pink suit the young homeowners’ energetic vibe.
At first glance, this minimalist dining area seems simple, but take a closer look, and you’ll notice curved marble detailing on the chairs, vintage ceramics decorating the table and a playful Pick Up Stick chandelier.
This breakfast nook exudes French bistro flair thanks to the pair of handsome cabinets swathed in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue and timeless striped upholstery on the custom built-in banquette.
Tour this European-inspired kitchen on H&H TV.
In this bold blue eat-in kitchen, red oak herringbone floors contrast beautifully with the cool-toned elements of the space: rich denim blue walls and hints of Tiffany blue in the storage unit and light pendant.
“Everyone loves a window seat so, during the renovation, we pushed out the window and created one,” says designer Gillian Gillies. She brought the antique pine drop-leaf table home from Edinburgh to reminder her of home.
What makes this breakfast nook so unique is the built-in planter, which will have you dreaming of sunny spring days even in the depths of winter.
A collection of saturated chairs and an abstract painting inject youthful energy into this cool and contemporary nook. The built-in wood bench blends seamlessly with the oak floors.
A sunny yellow banquette is a welcome site in the morning, and brings an element of playfulness to the modern walnut cabinetry and a sleek white table in this functional, family-friendly breakfast nook.
An olive green upholstered banquette gives this eclectic kitchen a gastro-pub vibe. The custom seating and long wooden table are ideal for hosting a big family breakfast.
In this West Coast home, a built-in banquette offers ample space for family and friends to gather around. A contrasting statement wall, geometric light fixture and statement artwork add drama.
Homeowner Andrea Armstrong selected the polypropylene chairs and leather-look vinyl banquette in the breakfast nook for their modern lines and resilience to spilled food.
A sofa-style olive banquette that hugs the island doubles as a cozy hangout during the colder months. Grey-green panelling and an array of eclectic antique picture frames gives this corner a timeless bistro feel.
“Everyone loves a window seat,” says Brian Gluckstein of the 2018 Princess Margaret Showhome‘s kitchen. “Imagine reading the paper or having your breakfast here.”
This nook is glamorous enough for any soirée. Add a dash of luxury to your kitchen alcove by opting for shapely upholstered seating and a jewelry-like light fixture.
Oak wood finishes and a petite café table make this charming kitchen feel very of-the-moment, while highlighting the apartment’s historical roots.
In this breezy eating nook, a vintage brass beehive chandelier was a natural fit. The grouping gets its edge from the mix of woven chairs, a mid-century modern Saarinen table and an upholstered banquette.
This petite dining area is a haven of vintage furniture. Eclectic wallpaper, antique photos and quirky extras give this 1890s New York loft an eccentric feel.
This quiet corner calls for a cup of tea and a book in hand during the cold winter months. “The enclosed feeling makes it much cozier than if I’d just used furniture,” says designer James Davie.
The graphic pattern by Jonathan Adler on this banquette makes the dining area the focal point of this kitchen.
A diner-inspired tufted banquette in a rich cognac hue provides ample seating around this custom-made table, topped with reclaimed hemlock. The white subway tile walls and bistro-like lighting only add to the nook’s charm.
This airy breakfast nook is located just off the kitchen in this sleek Calgary home. Mirrors on facing walls reflect light and give the illusion of depth.
This spacious round table is an ideal gathering spot for adults and children alike. The dining set fits perfectly into the bay window for a sweeping view of the snow-topped trees.
“The banquette has become the ideal spot to eat, hang out, do homework and chat while enjoying the view of the backyard,” says designer Olivia Botrie of the breakfast nook in this stunning sage kitchen. A vintage table adds a dash of country charm to the small space.
It’s no surprise that designer Brian Gluckstein is a fan of breakfast nooks, so the 2017 Princess Margaret Showhome wouldn’t be complete without one. This sleek seating niche offers the best views of the backyard.
Tour the rest of this space on H&H TV.
This bright and light nook is framed by huge windows, giving the space a strong indoor-outdoor connection. Ample pillows make the spot cozy for lingering breakfasts, homework or after-school crafts.
This space-saving built-in banquette can easily host a holiday dinner, as well as an intimate brunch for two. The hints of navy, cream and burnt orange tie in the artwork and rich walnut cabinetry.
A modern cluster pendant light has pride of place over this breakfast nook’s wood table and upholstered chairs. The simple wreath adds a festive touch for the holiday season.