How to Create a Cozy Breakfast Nook

 

A breakfast nook can serve as a special gathering place and sets the stage for the most important meal of the day.  Often designated in a recessed area near the kitchen, the nook should be as warm and inviting as the food that's served on the table.

Breakfast nooks make an ideal setting for sitting down to a more intimate meal, or for peaceful moments with a fresh cup of coffee while reading the paper or a book.  However you decide to use this space, there's an appeal in that it is more casual than a dining table, and yet holds an endearing allure to share your most heartwarming meals with family and friends.

The following are a few breakfast nook ideas when designing the perfect retreat from the often busier kitchen area.

Photo via Decoist.

The right table.  Searching for the ideal breakfast nook table entails knowing how many people you wish to seat.  Creating a bench-style seating area can be a beautiful and efficient way to incorporate more seating space.  If desired, a few additional side chairs can be added as needed.  You'll also want to consider how much space you'll need, and if you wish to use a casual or a luxury table.

Keep the clutter away.  One way to start the day off well is to keep any unnecessary items off the breakfast table.  Leaving bills, junk mail, and keys out can be an eyesore and create unwanted mind-clutter in the morning.  With such a small area to begin with, less items within the dining area can create a sense of serenity to maximize your space and enjoyment.

Photo by Coco+Kelley

Ensure that you have ample light.  Natural light is preferable, and most built-in alcoves are already positioned near windows, which creates an impression of more space.  Also, taking in sunlight while having breakfast every morning can make the difference between starting off the day on a good note or a bad one.  What a better way to start the day than absorbing all the benefits of sunshine!

Keep things simple and display only the things you love.  As breakfast nook spaces are usually smaller than an average dining room, you'll want to choose your decorative items with more care.  A clean color palette and minimalist patterns will help to create an ambiance that is light and casual.  Fresh flowers in your favorite vase can be the perfect accent piece that appeals to the senses and also brings a breath of calm to the setting.

Photo via Savannah Collections.

Add a layer of depth with key accent furnishings.   A beautiful area rug within the breakfast nook offers the space a sense of warmth and coziness.  If space allows, a small accent table can be used to display decor items so as keep the breakfast table as free from clutter as possible.

Photo via Lonny.

Bring a touch of dramatic flair to inspire your mornings.  Dress your breakfast nook with flowing curtains or make a statement with lighting by hanging a vintage or modern chandelier.  Whatever your vision, your special nook should inspire and create a comfortably welcoming atmosphere.

Photo via Lonny.

Interior Design Trends for 2013

With the year still young, design ideas have sprung and newly inspired us. With a clean design canvas to fill, we've compiled a list of the latest and greatest in decor design trends making its rounds on designers' lists.  Themes this year bring to mind a nostalgia for the past and a hope for a more eco-friendly future.  Needless to say, we're very much looking forward to this year's design prospects, and hope that you'll be as inspired as we are!

Traditional Style

With the introduction of Downton Abbey's Season 3 this year, a renewed fervor for vintage and traditional style furnishings have also hit this side of the Atlantic with feverish storm.  Whether or not you're a fan of the show, traditional and classic furniture have never really gone out of style.  From distressed or aged finishes to elegant wood carvings, from a well-worn aesthetic to a classic Old World charm, there's so much to love in furniture designs from eras past, which is why they've appealed to us time and again.

Earth-Friendly

Green furniture has also garnered much attention of late, and with the climate issues our world is currently facing, it's no wonder many are concerned that their purchases will be sustainable and earth-loving.  Consumers wish to ensure that their furniture will not need to be replaced within only a few years' time, which means high quality materials and craftsmanship play a more substantial role in the furniture and design industry.

 Natural Materials

Solid wood, stones, among other natural materials are also gaining momentum in design trends this year, as people are increasingly inspired by the purity and beauty of nature.  Nature reminds us of beauty in simplicity.  A piece cut from reclaimed or reforested wood such as the Rebanada Coffee Table by Taracea below, will not only inspire awe with its raw beauty, but one can also appreciate the original tree's essence, which is purposefully retained in the final design.

Handcrafted Furniture

In a world where mass manufacturing reigns, the distinctiveness of handcrafted furniture shines like a beacon.  One can easily sense the dedication put into what is essentially a one-of-a-kind piece, as each item was crafted individually, and the varying factors bring a distinctive character into the piece as a whole.

Staying Neutral

The inclination for bright colors in last year's design movements have now taken a backseat for more neutral tones this year.  Complementing the design trend of natural materials, there's a renewed interest for colors that lend a calming and soothing effect.  Shades of sand and stone create a neutral palette that can be easily complimented with other neutral shades, or effectively contrasted with accent colors.

The future of interior design is more exciting than ever.  The beauty of taking popular trends is that you can mix-and-match various pieces such as furniture from Savannah Collections, Baker furniture, Century furniture or even Lexington furniture, and utilize these new design ideas to suit your home and lifestyle.