11 Beautiful Dining Rooms and Breakfast Nooks to Get Inspired By

Hang a mirror in any small nook to give the illusion that it’s bigger and opt for a round table in narrow spaces for more floor space.

We love the idea of a cozy cafe-like space for breakfast or coffee. This design by Shapeside accomplishes that by making use of built-ins and luxurious, pillow-like seating.

Give your space some life with a large piece of art, or better yet hang up several of your favorite pieces, heirlooms, etc. to create a unique gallery wall.

You don’t need a desert rooftop to recreate this dining terrace from a Tucson Airbnb—instead, grab some string lights and durable textiles to create a cozy ambiance in your outdoor dining space.

In a small dining area, chairs can hog precious real estate. As an alternative, a built-in banquette nixes the need for chairs and makes the most of a tight footprint. Bonus points if you seating doubles as storage.

Have a family heirloom like this chandelier of old china and crates? Make your dining area the place to display them.

Want a country cabin vibe? Your dining room is the best place to start. Use non-traditional furniture like an old courthouse bench and metal chairs for a modern take.

Use high­ impact art­work (a painting on a hide by artist Fro­hawk Two Feathers) and lighting to give your space an off­-hand eclecticism.

Unify disparate styles of dining chairs by painting them all the same color. This is an easy way to make a set out of hand-me-downs and thrift store finds.

Undeterred by the narrow dining space off the kitchen, the design team behind this space opted for a slim dining table and built-in banquette set among a palette of warm earthy tones. The restrained elements, including soft, scalloped upholstery juxtaposed with wood-and-leather sling chairs and a linear brass light fixture to elevate this sunny nook.

Some of the best memories happen at the kitchen table, so why not splurge on furniture, lighting, and tilework?