Standard Breakfast Nook Dimensions (with Photos)

Stacy Randall
by Stacy Randall
A breakfast nook is a comfortable and inviting part of any house. You can add value and character to any room with the addition of a breakfast nook. Follow along as we explore the ideal dimensions for a breakfast nook.

A breakfast nook is a dining area with a tabletop and built-in seating. It should be a relaxing environment for you and your family to enjoy a small meal together. However, ideally, it can also act as plenty of storage for your stockpile of pantry food.

Several things will determine the size of your breakfast nook. It would help if you planned to give each adult at the table twenty-four to thirty inches for everyone’s comfort. The average breakfast nook is preferably at least 5 by 5 feet, but 7 by 7 would be more comfortable.

However, this is the size of an average breakfast nook for two people. Breakfast nooks can also average out to be 7 feet by 10 feet, which would fit four to six people. The more people, the larger your breakfast nook needs to be.

Designing Your Breakfast Nook: Take a Look at Your Three L’s – Location, Layout, and Lighting

Your breakfast nook should be a place of peace and comfort and a place where you truly feel at home. A breakfast nook is a convenient place to enjoy light meals or snacks. It’s typically found in the corner of a kitchen and features creative seating. Many families use benches so they can store items that are not used very often.

Try to remember that the size of your family will determine the actual size of your breakfast nook. However, the size can also vary based on the number of people you plan to entertain.

By looking at your location, layout, and lighting, you will have a better idea of where to start. Each of these steps plays an essential role in building your breakfast nook. After you have decided on a location and seating arrangements, you can look at your layout. The location will determine the layout you choose and the number of seats you need.

Location of Your Breakfast Nook

When choosing a breakfast nook location, there are a few things you want to take into consideration. The average person will need 18 to 24 inches between the seat and the table. This will ensure that people sitting at the table are comfortable.

You should also leave 12 inches, at the least, for people to walk by. Plus, when it comes to seating, ensure all seats are easily accessible. To quote Dirty Dancing, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner!”

Image: Dimensions.com

This will also stop those wild kiddos from climbing under the table to get out! You need a space at least 5 by 5 feet for a tiny, two-person breakfast nook. If you want to seat 4 to 6 people, aim for closer to a minimum of 7 by 10 feet.

Layout of Your Breakfast Nook

Choosing a layout is much easier than selecting a location. This is where you will decide the shape and seating of your breakfast nook. Whatever you choose, there is a breakfast nook perfect for you and your family.

The Shape of Your Breakfast Nook

There are a few choices to choose from when it comes to the shape of your breakfast nook. Plus, the average size of your breakfast nook will vary based on the shape as well. For example, a square breakfast nook needs to be at least 5 feet by 5 feet for two people. However, this is still a tight squeeze.

You can have a small square table for two that is 30 inches square. However, when adding adequate seating and walk space around the table, it exceeds the 5 by 5-foot minimum. Therefore, if you only have 5 by 5 feet of space, positioning the table in a corner can help.

Image: Dimensions.com - Standard sizes of square tables

The size of your nook will vary significantly based on the number of people you have. Ideally, a breakfast nook is built to occupy at least two people.

More often, nooks average about four to six occupants at a time. However, they can also seat many more than that if you have space. If you plan to occupy more people, you will need to add about 24 inches in length per person.

Using a Circular Table in a Breakfast Nook

You can also opt for a more circular flow by using a round table. As you can see below, the circular table’s diameter in this particular nook is 5 feet.

The corner bench is 3 feet and 8 inches wide from the back. However, it shortens to be 1 foot and 6 inches in the front. This makes it just right for a single person.

A circular breakfast nook can take up more space, depending on how many people are occupying it. The appropriate width of this particular breakfast nook would be 8 feet, but it also can squeeze in 8 people.

Image: finehomebuilding.com

However, a circular table will leave you less room to add benches for storage.

Rectangular Breakfast Nooks

Those in need of more storage room should look into the rectangular-shaped breakfast nooks. These nooks allow for lots of bench seating, perfect for adding extra storage space.

Image: finehomebuilding.com

The benches in a nook are where you store any items that have been in your way! Just remember, people will be occupying the seats often, so try not to put anything too important in there.

The average size of a rectangular table for two would be 2 feet and 6 inches by 3 feet and 6 inches. However, they can also vary depending on the size of your family. A larger family of 6 would need a table at least 2 feet and 6 inches by 5 feet.

Image: Dimensions.com - Standard sizes of rectangular tables

Don’t forget to add 12 inches of walk space behind each set of seats. Plus, remember to add at least 18 inches between the seat and table. This means you should at least have 30 inches of space around the sides of the table where people sit.

You can use these numbers to help determine the best size for your breakfast nook. These measurements will also help you determine what size table you can realistically fit in the space.

Considering clearance measurements and table size, a 6-person breakfast nook would need to be at least 7 by 10 feet. An 8-person breakfast nook with a rectangular table should be at least 8 by 11 feet.

You can cheat these sizes slightly if part of your seating is a banquette built into the wall. This is because you won’t need to allow the 12 inches of walk space behind this portion of seating.

Choose Your Breakfast Nook Shape Wisely

Rectangular breakfast nooks (with rectangular tables) provide plenty of room to store items! However, square-shaped nooks, defined by square tables, can add ample storage as well.

Using a circular table might limit storage since it decreases the ability to use bench seating. However, circular tables can amp up the flow and movement in the space. Try to decide the shape you want your breakfast nook to be before you make any measurement decisions!

A Look at Breakfast Nook Benches

Breakfast nook benches, or banquettes, provide seating and storage in one. You can put dishes, a few extra cleaning supplies, or even non-perishable foods inside of them.

There are four different types of benches, and each one offers roughly seven inches worth of storage space underneath. That would measure out to 32.5 inches, with a 12-degree angle for your backrest. An average height for most people would be 18 inches from the ground.

These measurements will keep you and your family as comfortable as possible. There will be ample room for a person to spread out and read the morning paper. Even better, you can read your favorite book, then simply store it inside your seat!

A Closer Look at Your Bench Options and Space

The average breakfast nook will seat two to six people comfortably. There are a variety of bench styles when it comes to designing your breakfast nook. You can use this information to determine which benches you will need to fit your family.

In this example, the corner bench will measure out to be 24 by 24 inches. This is just the right size for a single person seat! However, pay attention to the number of people you will be hosting. There is no need to add extra seats where they are not necessary.

The large bench measures out to 48 inches and can fit two adults. This bench would be considered a banquette, which is a bench that is built into a wall.

The trestle bench is the same length. However, the trestle is 12.5 inches wide and can slide underneath the table. (Depending on your table size and style).

The end bench is measured out to 34 inches. It’s slightly larger than a corner bench but should still be used as a one-person seat. Leaving one person in this seat makes it easier for the corner seat’s occupant to get out.

Lighting in Your Breakfast Nook

After you have decided on location and layout arrangements, take a look at your lighting. Lighting is the easiest of the three L’s to implement.

There are numerous options when it comes to lighting. You could use a window, the ceiling light, or even a floor lamp. Sunlight is not only the most relaxing but also the most energy-efficient! Who doesn’t want to save a few dollars whenever possible?

Unfortunately, some people don’t have the option of sunlight. In these cases, a simple floor lamp will do the trick!

You could even position a breakfast nook underneath ceiling lights or install a fun chandelier above the table. Ideally, you should have your light fixture hang between 30 to 36 inches above the center of your tabletop. If you decide to use your ceiling light, try to build your breakfast nook close to a light switch for easy access. Of course, you can always have a professional electrician install a switch too.

Choose whatever works best for you; just make sure to have lighting in mind. There’s nothing more disappointing than building your dream breakfast nook only to realize you can’t even see your morning paper.


Related Questions

How much does it cost, on average, to build a breakfast nook?

The cost of a breakfast nook can vary depending on the materials you use, add-ons, and the number of benches. Smaller breakfast nooks will average around $1,500. Meanwhile, the cost of larger breakfast nooks can average approximately $8,000 or more.  


What is the best location for a breakfast nook?

The ideal location would be somewhere in your kitchen where you have access to lighting. Many breakfast nooks feature large windows, sliding glass doors, or added lighting. It can also be beneficial to take your measurements before deciding on a location. 


How should I decorate my breakfast nook?

The fun part about a breakfast nook is you can decorate it any way you want. You just want to keep it simple to avoid unnecessary clutter. Always keep function in mind and form so that you can get the most out of your nook area.There should be at least one lighting source, and ideally, some storage. The first storage option is inside of the seating. However, if you have the space, you can add a small baker’s rack along a wall. Fresh, colorful flowers are always a nice touch in a breakfast nook. You can also showcase a treasured heirloom, like a silver tea service or a lovely teapot. icon

Breakfast Is Served

Now that you have decided on your location, layout, and lighting, you can add your dimensions! Remember, give people enough room to walk, and leave everyone elbow room for maximum comfort. And last but not least, give people enough room to get out easily!

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Stacy Randall
Stacy Randall

Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.

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