Breakfast Nook needs a new look

15 years ago

Good morning, I'm looking for ideas to take back my breakfast nook from the computer! We had the computer table here so that when the kids were young we could supervise their use of the computer, and help with homework, stuff like that. Now, with the kids gone, I'd like to re-claim this space and make it part of my kitchen/breakfast nook "look". The former owners had a china cabinet here but I don't want a china cabinet. I could use storage space but I don't want to have to do any kind of display (as you would in a glass hutch china cabinet). We eat and spend most of our time in this area which is right next to the family room. I hate that the area is fairly narrow and makes access to the sliding doors difficult if people are seated at the table. If I ever win the lottery I will bump out my kitchen and breakfast nook but for now it's what I have to work with. The counter and the computer table tend to be piled with papers, receipts, gloves, anything that needs to be set down. My husband work papers and files tend to accumulate around the computer table, too, so these are the items that would need a home when I'm considering what to put here. Although I have nice storage in the kitchen area already, I could always use more space for kitchen too. Ideally I would like the computer out of this area all together and either upstairs or in the family room. Any ideas?

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Comments (5)

graywings123
15 years ago
Is that a closet on the left hand side? How often does it get used?

A round or oval table might make it easier to access the patio doors.

Moving the computer out is fine if that's what you want to do, but you still need a mini-office/commuter corner somewhere in that space to deal with the paperflow.

I can't get a sense of the size of the room or the purpose of the area in the back of the photo. What goes on back there?
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
15 years ago
Do you have a dining room? If so, you could use the nook for a breakfast bar with a couple of nice chairs, and remove the table altogether.
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teacats
15 years ago
Create a built-in desk with kitchen cabinets --complete with the desk area below (and storage for the tower, printer etc.) Add a rolling chair.

THEN use all of the vertical height by adding top cabinets. It is vital to use EVERY inch of the vertical space!

Visit office supply stores and salvage centers for ideas -- and sometimes salvage places have kitchen cabinets that you could paint dark green to match the countertops!

Are you using the table? If not -- then switch to two comfortable chairs (like wing chairs) with a smaller table between them. More of a "nook" -- a cozier space!
anita55
Original Author
15 years ago
Hello - a built in desk with kitchen cabinets sounds good. We eat ALL our meals at that table, and even when the kids are home we eat at that table. We only use the dining room when we have company. Yes that is my pantry closet. It is full, and is used ALOT!! Couldn't do without it. The room behind is the family room, some of you know that i've just gotten new furniture (that's another story!) The width of this area is 11 feet from wall to sliding doors and about 7 feet from the side wall to the pantry closet wall. I think that maybe teacats idea of using vertical space is a good one. So would I just go to a place that sells cabinets?
teacats
15 years ago
Actually start by leasuring the whole space!

THEN head to your local Craig's List -- and check out folks' older desk and cabinets.

Check out Office Depot -- for desks and upper cabinets too. And local stores for cabinets .....