When I was a kid, I always thought having two dining rooms, a formal dining and an everyday dining, meant that your family had made it. However, at the same time I thought the concept was a little inefficient, because I never saw people eat in them! Unless you’re hosting dinner parties regularly – a.k.a. you actually use the china your great aunt gave you on your wedding day – it seems to me like a bit of a waste of space. That being said, if you have the space to spare, DO IT, but more often than not, we don’t.
This is why I LOVE the idea of the breakfast nook. Typically, they’re located right off of, or even inside, the kitchen, making them perfect for keeping an eye on the kiddos while they do homework. They’re large enough that the entire family can sit down and eat together while still being comfy enough that it makes for the perfect place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning (and 30 mins of quite before your brood wakes up).
Coincidentally, I’m not the only one who’s falling more and more in love with these cozy little corners… I’m seeing them pop up everywhere! There are a TON of DIY’s online, providing step-by-step instructions so you can build your own nook, and there are even pre-assembled sets that you can buy online (like this one from Wayfair).
You can surround it with bookshelves and create the perfect little cubby for a rainy day or multipurpose them and add additional storage underneath the cushions. Line the back with pillows, additional cushions, or leave them bare. Complete the look with a square table or soften the vibe with a round table. Really, there are no limitations to what you decide to do with this area.