Kitchens play a pivotal role in our lives, providing the necessary space and appliances to feed ourselves and our families. A functional kitchen lets you care for your family’s daily needs and entertain friends. So, how does a kitchen nook fit into this equation?
The kitchen nook provides an intimate space for you and your family to enjoy a quick snack, a light lunch, or a quiet spot to reflect as you sip a glass of wine and unwind from the day.
Purpose and Benefits
We use the dining room as our main attraction to enjoy meals when the holidays roll around or when we entertain guests. A nook dining room typically sits adjacent to the kitchen. It has a small sitting area and table where you can enjoy an informal meal alone or with your spouse or children. We play games in the kitchen nook, discuss our day, and do homework. The kitchen nook gives us a space to be ourselves without the pomp and circumstance of formal dining.
Space Efficiency and Small-Space Solutions
Also known as a breakfast nook, a good kitchen nook design turns a small, otherwise unused area into a functional space where we can relax and enjoy a light snack with family. Whether reading the morning newspaper while sipping a cup of coffee or eating a sandwich for lunch while the kids are at school, your nook provides a convenient space to be you.
You can create a kitchen nook with little effort. A nook, by definition, is a small space, so find a table and chairs that fit the area comfortably. Your island counter can serve as your kitchen nook by adding a few stools that slide beneath the counter’s overhang. You may have a bay window that overlooks the garden. Snuggling a small four-person table next to the window will give you a wonderful perspective as you start your day over breakfast.
Enhanced Family Interaction and Community
A functional kitchen nook is where we sit and interact with family and friends. You can discuss your child’s day at school, plan your next family vacation, or catch up on social media.
You have a dedicated space to sit and talk when friends, family, or coworkers visit. You can serve coffee or tea, light snacks, cold drinks, and anything else to make your guests comfortable. If the neighbors drop in to say hello, you can use your kitchen nook to catch up on the latest neighborhood gossip.
Versatility
Your kitchen nook doesn’t just have to be for eating and entertaining. Single professionals love to design a space they can work from, complete with a desktop computer, printer, and internet connectivity. You may be an artist, and that bay window inspires you. Set up your easel and add storage solutions with easy access to your art supplies to create your next masterpiece.
Designing Your Ideal Kitchen Nook
Despite the name, a breakfast or kitchen nook doesn’t have to be small. Nooks now come in all shapes and sizes. Some homes have limited space and require artful adaptations to make them functional, while others have more room to create a comfortable, multi-purpose area.
If you have limited space, make the most of it. Choose an appropriate table size that doesn’t make the area feel crowded. Island counters offer prime real estate for meeting, eating, and relaxing. If you have space adjacent to an island counter, you can place a small dining table and chairs as an accompaniment.
Assessing Available Space and Layout Options
Your home’s style will help you create a nook that fits you and it. First, you must assess the available space and consider how you’ll use your kitchen nook daily, which will help you choose the best design.
Choosing Furniture
Good kitchen nook ideas incorporate functionality within the space. A square or rectangular table and chairs may be perfect if you have oval breakfast nook dimensions and a modern home. A wooden slab table and benches might be better for an old farmhouse.
A tulip table and three or four chairs make sense for young couples, but a family of five or more will want an oval table with six chairs. Consider buying a table with a removable leaf. You can add the leaf to expand your table space when hosting and remove it when unnecessary.
Many kitchen nook design ideas suit bay windows perfectly. You can turn this space into a pleasant sitting area with a built-in bench and comfy cushions beneath the sill. You can also use that sunlight for your herb garden and other plants. You can add storage within the benches, a perfect spot for keeping games, art supplies, and books.
Lighting and Ambiance
Lighting plays a crucial role in your nook’s ambiance, and nothing works better than natural light, making bay windows a perfect spot. Adding a drop fixture, corner lamps, or even track lighting will help if you don’t have enough natural light.
Adding a dimmer switch can help you adjust the light to suit your needs. You’ll need lots of light for the kids doing homework or on family game night. When the children go to bed and you want some quiet time with your spouse, a dimmer can tone down the light for a more cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Build a Custom Home in Northwest Indiana With Steiner Homes
As one of Northwestern Indiana’s premier custom home builders, we’re experts at designing and building the perfect home to suit your lifestyle. We have over 30 years of experience turning dreams into homes that will last for generations. If you’re ready to turn your ideas into reality, we invite you to contact our design team to get started.
Image by jdeeringdavis is licensed with Attribution 2.0 Generic
