Breathe Life into Your Breakfast Nook with These Easy Ideas

a view of a breakfast nook with a table and chairs and white curtains

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Hey, y’all, I’ve got some exciting news to share – our breakfast nook is officially complete! I’m thrilled to give you a sneak peek into this cozy corner of our home and share some savvy tips for creating your stylish breakfast nook without burning a hole in your pocket.

Molding and Paint

I wanted to set this little nook apart from the rest of the open living space. I did this with molding and paint. Adding some molding can instantly elevate the look of your space without breaking the bank. We opted for a simple chair rail with a ledge to add a touch of sophistication to our breakfast nook. This is just a simple 1×4 for the molding and a 1×2 for the ledge on top.

breakfast nook with chair rail, white drapes and a rattan chandelier

As for paint, I wanted a sharp contrast of color. I knew that we would eventually have a view of our pool out this window, so I wanted to play off that deep blue color. I also knew that I was going to hang up my white curtains again, so I wanted them to pop against the darker walls.

breakfast nook with chair rail, white drapes and a rattan chandelier

I went with Gravel Gray by Benjamin Moore. It’s a very deep navy blue (almost black in some lights). We also painted the bottom of our island color (where the stools are) this color. The bonus is that it hides dirt and marks from my kids and their friends. The top of the wall above the molding is painted Super White by Benjamin Moore.

Artwork

Now, let’s talk about artwork. You don’t have to splurge on expensive pieces to make a statement. Get creative and think outside the box! Etsy has a ton of printable art that you can have printed in a custom size of your choosing (here’s how to print it).

I wanted a pop of green in this space without having to pull a plant in, so I found these fig photos, zhushed them up with some computer magic, resized them to 8×10, and framed them with my favorite Craig Frames.

Silhouette Prints in gold frames on a chair rail ledge

I also have a set of silhouette prints of my kids (again, Etsy!), and these are framed in thrift store frames. I have them casually sitting on the little ledge and held them in place with some quake hold/museum putty.

Furniture & Texture

The showpiece in this area is the storage cabinet that my Dad and I built a couple of years ago. It’s one of my favorite furniture pieces ever, and the fact that I could build it with him before he passed away was so incredibly special to me. A memory I will cherish forever.

Wood furniture can add a lot of character and warmth to your spaces!

view of a breakfast nook with a storage cabinet

I use this as a storage cabinet for all my kids’ art supplies and games. It gets a lot of use. The table is an old purchase from Pottery Barn (this is something similar), and the chairs are Ashley Furniture.

We also added this rattan globe chandelier from Arhaus for a little texture in this space.

Rug

Another way to anchor a room is with a rug. Just make sure you get the right size rug – it should at least hold the furniture’s table and front legs. When in doubt – go bigger. (I think I could have gone a smidge bigger here!)

close up view of a ruggable rug in a breakfast nook

This rug is Ruggable (Celestine in Sapphire) and matches our kitchen runner. I love that it plays well with the navy walls and adds a pop of maroon. Plus – it’s washable.

Drapes

Last but not least, let’s talk about window treatments. A well-chosen set of drapes can tie the whole look together and add a touch of elegance to your breakfast nook. I’m a curtains gal – I love them and feel they add such sophistication to a room. These drapes are my favorite pinch pleat Vision Home in white.

a view of a breakfast nook with a table and chairs and white curtains

Remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune – shop around for budget-friendly options or even DIY your own curtains for a personalized touch.

And there you have it, folks—a little tour of our newly revamped breakfast nook and some wallet-friendly tips to help you design your cozy retreat. A stylish breakfast nook is the perfect place to enjoy your morning cup of coffee or have a leisurely get-together with friends.

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