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jl1031

Kitchen upgrade - need advice for wall in breakfast nook

2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago

Galley kitchen. Painted cabinets and installed new countertop and hardwood floors.

The breakfast nook has a wall I'd like to do something with to provide extra storage and countertop space. The wall sets back 9 1/2" from the window so whatever goes there needs to be very narrow.

Any ideas for the breakfast nook is appreciated. Needs bigger table. I thought a 36" banquette against back wall would look nice. I feel the area needs color too. Any advice is appreciated.








Comments (34)

  • 2 years ago

    Thank you Lyn. Any ideas on the wall opposite of powder room. Is there enough room for something to go there?

  • 2 years ago

    I doubt it is worth it to try to dig into the wall to do a recessed cabinet, and even then it would still be open storage. You can't put doors there. If you are like me, and think that cans of italian peeled tomatoes and baby peas are actually decorative and charming, you could do an open pantry by running narrow shelves across the wall (like plate racks, but thicker) but you'd need a guard rail for each shelf to keep the cans secure,, plus you need to remember if you are actually putting cans of food on the shelves they are incredibly heavy, so you need to know what your doing.


    I would say you can also do pegboard storage, but you've got traffic in that corner to think about. I have a lot aprons hanging on a wall in my kitchen, and in the past I've hung brooms and such out in the open, but you don't want to interfere with people passing by.


    I wouldn't rush to build a banquette in that space. You can't have a built in backrest because of the windows, and a bench with toss pillows is not going to be very functional, especially if you have kids. Think about putting a bench there for awhile and see if you are comfortable. I would be very tempted to instead butt a table right up against the wall between the windows. The best seats for enjoying the view outside are not with your back to the windows. You could then put a bit of useful shelving between the windows -- even have a toaster!

    jl1031 thanked mytwo cents
  • 2 years ago

    Here is Crate and Barrel's wall system for hanging things. They have one type of "reversible'; shelf that is only 7.5 inches deep, so you could try for that, but mainly you'd only be using it as a kind of pegboard to hang things


    https://www.crateandbarrel.com/batten-white-oak-reversible-shelf/s406487


    You could also store a lot of wine on your wall. You do have room for that.

    jl1031 thanked mytwo cents
  • 2 years ago

    Purchase or have built a super slim base cabinet / storage piece. Here is an example, though it is probably cheap and flimsy. I'd not have it go all the wall to the right side of the wall because I think it will feel tight with the corner of your cabinet where you enter the kitchen. I'd hang artwork or a mirror above it. I think hanging more storage in the upper region will make things feel too crowded at that end of your kitchen.


    I have a galley kitchen in NYC. While renovating we discovered there was an extra 6.5" behind the upper part our wall and had our cabinet add 6.5" inches depth to the cabinet to recess into the wall. It is crazy how much you can fit in a narrow space like that - wine glasses, mugs, cans, boxes of cereal. When you have a tiny kitchen, things like that matter.


    For the nook, I would caution against a built in bench. My friend has the same set up as yours and I hate sitting there with pillows up against the window. It feels like I'm going to break the glass, even though practically I know I won't.


    How many of your would sit here and how often? I'd do something like the pic below but with three chairs and no bench or seating towards the window side.


    Remember, if you have a storage piece on the end wall and a table there it is going to start feeling incredibly crowded.



    Modern Farmhouse · More Info

  • 2 years ago

    Thank you, I agree that building a banquette isn't feasible for me. There also is a heat register I'd need to contend with. I'd prefer to find some type of bench and see if I like it.

    Love the idea from Crate and Barrel and love the whole shelving unit shown. The wine wall is also a good idea. I thought about using upper 12" cabinets and building a cabinet but again there will be doors and may be in the way of people. Appreciate all your suggestions.

  • PRO
    2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    THere is no way to get a banquette in there in fact IMO not a bigger table either . IMO in a perfect world you would have done new windows high enough up to get at least a baking counter and storage underneath , How deep is that wall on the right next to the doorway? I think some shallow storage there might work but of course depends on what you want to store .I actually usually remove bay windows they create no end of hassle unless really large enough for actul table Something like this could work


    jl1031 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 2 years ago

    What about a larger round table but three custom benches under the windows? It doesn’t have to be a full-on “built in banquette”. It depends on who needs to be seated there.

    A round table and chairs - simple but practical- would also work. Easier and less expensive.

    Your powder room is FANTASTIC! Did you want to bring in a paler version of that wallpaper color?

    jl1031 thanked RedRyder
  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Tight space. 11" deep pantry shelves with or without doors could be recessed into the wall up to 4 inches. That involves removing the drywall and the suds in the space where the pantry would be built for a header and hybrid structure to support the powder room drywall. You need to post a pic of the wall opposite the powder room.

    jl1031 thanked dan1888
  • 2 years ago

    Too much round for me. Square or rectangular table. If you want more storage, rip out the soffits and go up rather than crowding up the area more. Can you store some things in a nearby laundry room or garage?

    jl1031 thanked HU-227031627
  • 2 years ago

    Thank you Patricia,

    Thank you for all your suggestions and opinions.

    I thought about removing the nook and extending the countertop, but I'm working with a limited budget and needed to work with the space as is. The wall next to entrance is 9 1/4" deep. I'd really like ideas of what to do there in the way of providing storage and/or additional countertop. Stationary or moveable cabinet of some type with floating shelves above?? A bench with floating shelves above if a cabinet is not doable? I've been in the house for 20 years and still a major problem!

  • 2 years ago

    Thank you RedRyder for your suggestions. I'm more interested in what to do with the wall on other side of the powder room adjacent to the nook. I feel it's a blank wall that could be used for additional storage/countertop space. I'd like to bring in a splash of color in the breakfast nook area just don't know where to start and stop. I thought wallpapering just the back wall of the nook around the windows might be nice but it would have to coordinate with the bathroom wallpaper. I'm sure paint is the easier more economical route to go. Any ideas are much appreciated.


  • 2 years ago

    Thank you Dan for the suggestion,

    There are a couple pictures of the wall posted above. but here's another one. 8' tall x 64" wide x 9 1/4" deep.


  • 2 years ago

    Hi. What a cozy, charming kitchen! Perhaps something like this (not specifically this but you get the idea) for the nook and a bookcase for storage against the blank wall.

    Diata Coastal Black and White Mother of Pearl Capiz Shell 2-Drawer Console Table · More Info

    Safavieh Maralah Shelf Unit, White · More Info

    jl1031 thanked Sue Pedersen
  • 2 years ago

    Thank you Sue for the idea, it's certainly a very easy doable one. The bookcase may be a bit small for the adjacent wall.

  • 2 years ago


    Thoughts on a piece like this in the nook? it provides extra prep space and storage and there is an extra 10” on other side for stools. 24” wide x 48” long.

  • 2 years ago

    If it meets your storage and seating needs, it sounds ideal. If you are able to find a storage option for the back wall, you might consider a table that has a more open base.

    jl1031 thanked Sue Pedersen
  • 2 years ago

    Thanks again, Sue. What would you suggest for the color for the island. Not knowing the exact blue and it being close to the powder room, maybe it's okay, but then again should I play it safe and go white? I thought a contrast might be nice to break up all the white. As far as a table for the back wall, are you suggesting more of a console type table?

  • 2 years ago

    I like the blue. As far as the back wall, I don't know if you're looking for open or closed storage. Or what style. As far as size, I found these on wayfair.

    webuser_383282''s ideas · More Info

    webuser_383282''s ideas · More Info

  • 2 years ago

    webuser_383282''s ideas · More Info

    webuser_383282''s ideas · More Info

  • 2 years ago

    webuser_383282''s ideas · More Info

    webuser_383282''s ideas · More Info

  • 2 years ago

    Oops. That last one is 36h x 60w x 10d.

    jl1031 thanked Sue Pedersen
  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    This last one that Sue Pedersen posted seems doable if you are not going to dig into the wall like Patricia suggested. Top surface is 10'' deep, but I don't think that's an intolerable intrusion into the nook window space. You would probably need to notch the baseboard to get it right flush to the wall (I'd probably bolt the unit right to the studs). Hopefully it is not so expensive you'd feel badly painting it.



    You could have wine racks or other narrow shelving up over that unit, or a conventional plate rack (easy to buy).

    You said anything colorful that goes into the nook between the windows needs to coordinate with the powder room wallpaper. I don't know what your idea of coordinaton is, but I like this. ;)




    Then maybe a little oval tulip table in your nook, set with its short nose pointing at the wall.



    and use those 2 x-back bistro chairs. (No rug.)

  • 2 years ago

    Of course, the most expensive example...

    Foundstone™ Bisbee 60'' Solid Wood Sideboard | Wayfairhttps://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/foundstone-bisbee-60-wide-mango-solid-wood-sideboard-w010075744.html

  • 2 years ago

    Red Barrel Studio® Kenlei 6 Shutter Door Accent Cabinet & Reviews | Wayfairhttps://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/red-barrel-studio-kenlei-6-shutter-door-accent-cabinet-w006927895.html

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Too bad the sideboard I picked is so expensive. At those prices I would definitely compare with the costs of having a recessed pantry unit professionally done (on with rails to keep the cans and cannisters from being knocked over.)

    I don't know how the finish of this expensive choice fits in with the overall decor of the kitchen. It would be perfect with the x-back chairs -- but the rest that's within view?



    Again, for that kind of money, I wouldn't also want to feel a need to paint it. It would have to be a good fit as is.

  • 2 years ago

    The door next to the entrance of my home is my pantry so I do have a pantry where I keep all my food items and such. I'm more or less looking for ideas with what to do with that blank wall. I thought extra storage would be great, but not 100% necessary. The bank of cabinets across from the bistro table also house items. The nook space is small and with the blank wall right next to it is my dilemma. The wall is only 63" so I feel a 60" cabinet is larger than what should go in that space. I'm open to any ideas. I love the Crate & Barrel link to the wall idea but that would probably be very costly to do the entire thing. I'll keep my mind open and hopefully with everyone's ideas and suggestions something will work out. Thank you very much! Keep the ideas coming.

  • 2 years ago

    I would keep all my aprons there, but not everyone has a collecton or likes to look at aprons!

    jl1031 thanked mytwo cents
  • 2 years ago

    Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Hakon 51'' Solid Wood Sideboard | Wayfairhttps://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/hakon-51-wide-solid-wood-sideboard-w010048458.html

    webuser_383282''s ideas · More Info

    jl1031 thanked Sue Pedersen
  • 2 years ago

    Lol my aprons are in there too

  • 2 years ago

    17 Stories 47.25'' Console Table | Wayfairhttps://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/17-stories-4725-console-table-w009412873.html

    webuser_383282''s ideas · More Info

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    btw, if you like the Crate and Barrel set up but it's too much to spend, you could also consider pegboard storage. Julia Child (does anyone even remember her now?) always had a lot of pegboard storage in her kitchens.


    She was a lot nicer to her pots and pans than I am (and had more of them) so I stick with aprons.

    IKEA has affordable nice looking pegboard



    Places like Lowe's and Home Depot have it even cheaper and you can paint any pegboard and frame it with thin shelves to add other decor



    Pegboard is an easy way to make little shelves, supported by pegs, to grow herbs and plants (if your sure they')re not going to get knocked down



  • 2 years ago

    Before you add storage to the nook or wall, try to maximize the storage you already have. When we bought our new (to us) house 2 years ago, the very first thing I did was install pullouts to most of the base cabinets. They aren't as good as drawers, but they are considerably better than shelves.




    The next thing I did was add extra shelves to some of the upper cabinets. That allowed me to group short things (like plates and coffee mugs) on the bottom shelf (or two), and store larger things without stacking them. Putting short things on the bottom also makes it easier for me to reach more shelves without a stool.

    If you do these things, you have the opportunity to either get rid of or relocate things you rarely use - sometimes such items take up "prime real estate" in a kitchen, because that's where they've always been - not because it makes the most sense.