"How many times have we read about the importance of sharing family dinner? Research has linked sharing family meals to higher self-esteem, healthier relationships with food, and more. For me, many of my favorite memories were also made around our family’s kitchen table. Growing up with four kids meant my parents navigated four sports schedules, four after-school activities, and four personalities. But somehow, we sat together around our kitchen table nearly every night. Now as a parent, I realize how challenging this commitment must have been to keep and how grateful I am for those memories. So, I want the same for my kids and our family. Having a great place to sit down together—like the kitchen nooks and dining areas shown below—and make this idea a reality is a must.
We all want to have a dining area that invites us to sit down together as a family. These warm kitchen nooks and gorgeous dining areas are perhaps the inspiration we need. These gathering spots include cozy breakfast nooks, storage benches, modern lighting, and creative wall decor. For all of the inspiration you’ll need to create your own space, keep reading to check out some of our favorite kitchen nooks and dining areas.
Kitchen Nooks
1. Light and Bright
An array of neutrals meet in perfect harmony right here. With standout features like a show-stopping light fixture, a built-in bench situated near a vast window, and a curated table setting, this set-up is what slow morning brunch dreams are made of. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
2. Moody Vintage
Not every kitchen nook needs to be light and bright, and we love this moody-yet-cozy area for achieving just that with a mixture of dark and natural elements. Accentuate the space with vintage style decor and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind kitchen nook.
3. A Feminine Touch
While the furniture around this setup—like a leather sofa and bold black chairs—may look slightly masculine, the floral elements, colorful artwork, and and geometric light fixture add some lovely feminine touches. This kitchen nook is the perfect example that you really can have the best of both worlds when it comes to design. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
4. Traditional
Dark wood, subtle colors, and brass accents make this kitchen nook effortlessly traditional in the best way.
5. Mid-Century
If you can’t get enough of soft curves mixed with clean lines and a retro-futuristic feel, a mid-century-inspired kitchen nook may be the way to go. That’s exactly what makes this nook oh-so-cozy and chic!
6. Colorful and Creative
The best part of this kitchen nook is it’s a perfect blend of eccentric and neutral. We love the statement pieces—like the hand chair!—mixed with subtle colors and light wood tones.
7. Simply Boho
When there’s built-in seating around the table, it’s not always necessary to add much more to the space. A fun pattern here and there, a chic table, and a floral centerpiece is all this home’s dining nook needed to be inviting. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
8. Elevated Farmhouse
With statements including a whitewashed brick wall, an ornate table, and personal touches like a ruched table runner and a bold light fixture, this dining area takes the modern farmhouse aesthetic to a new level.
9. Eye-Catching Accents
Give those light and bright areas a little bit of pizzazz with accents that demand to be seen. Simple things like a crystal chandelier or textured chairs go a long way. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
10. Nature Inspired
We love this kitchen nook’s nods to natural elements with plants and flowers, warm-toned woods, and earthy colors like rust, gray, and brown. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
Dining Areas
11. Subtle Personality
One thing we love most about this dining area is the mix-and-match dining chairs. While uniformity is usually the norm, using more than one style of seating gives the space a coziness it may not otherwise have. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
12. Modern and Personalized
All personalization does not need to be lost in the name of modern design. We love that the modern textures and shapes of this dining area are married perfectly with fun colors and patterns for a truly unique and jaw-dropping room.
13. Industrial
The colors, textures, and light fixture in this space scream “bold,” making it the perfect design inspiration for anyone drawn to an industrial-style home. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
14. Warm and Welcoming
In a space with tons of natural light, it makes sense to accentuate the brightness coming in. Using natural wood, a variety of shapes, and plants make it a warm and inviting space.
15. Classic
Sometimes, it’s best to not fix what isn’t broken. This dining area is the perfect example of classic style, with neutrals, woods, and simple but lovely accents. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
16. Carefully Curated
Many of us spend lots of time making our spaces into a place we feel most at home. This concept feels especially intentional in this dining area. From the color of the walls, to the statement piece of art, to the unique table and beyond, it feels authentic, perfectly personal, and curated.
17. Eclectic
Every part of a home should be a reflection of our personalities. If eccentric, fun, and colorful describe your style, allow your dining area to follow suit, like the eye-catching option below. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
18. Making a Statement
Sometimes all a relatively plain space needs is a few statement pieces to make it really personal. In a light room, a dark table, unique light fixture, and eye-catching rug can go a long way. Love this space’s design? Click here to see the full home tour!
