It is an activity that is done in a hurry most days of the week, yet it is the first and most important part of the day’s happenings. The breakfast area in a residence assumes strong significance though more often this significance is not realised. Designing the breakfast nook to bring in comfort, charm as well as the sense of starting the day on a perfect note hence becomes sensible.
With small-sized residences increasingly becoming the norm, the availability of space for accommodating an exclusive breakfast nook appears to be a far-fetched idea. Yet, with a little thought, even the smallest of residences can accommodate an exclusive nook to begin the day. The most common breakfast counter that residences incorporate is the demarcating wall between the kitchen and dining area.
It is customary to break down the wall between the kitchen and living area to lend an expanse of space. However, when this wall is retained at counter height, an attractive breakfast nook can be created along with the ensuing expanse of space.
While the side of this wall facing the kitchen can accommodate shelves to stack dishes, the side opening to the dining space can host a brick clad wall or be enclosed in wood to lend an earthy feel, with the granite counter top serving as the breakfast table supported by high stools.
Add an arch
The counter can have an arch to make the space interesting, along with little shelves or nooks on either side of the wall above to place plates, glasses, cups or attractive art pieces to add interest.
If the kitchen is large to permit the placing of a small two-seater table, the same can become an attractive breakfast nook. Instead of a wooden table, it can also be a small granite island counter with accompanying stools which can later double up as an extra working counter for the kitchen.
If the dining area opens on to a balcony that can accommodate a small table and accompanying twin seats, the patio can be turned into a cheerful breakfast nook. If the space is too small, a dash of green can be brought in by opting for a green wall where slender shelves accommodate small pots of greenery. Likewise, greenery can prevail in small pots that can be hung over the balcony railing or as a creeper over the railing or even in attractive wrought iron planter boxes built as part of the railing.
A similar breakfast nook can be created, albeit on a grander scale, if the dining area opens on to a small terrace instead of a balcony.
The breakfast table can then be much larger, permitting four seats instead of two while the greenery can feature as floor pots around the breakfast table.
Wrought iron or unpolished hardwood with its natural grains and blemishes exposed, serves0 as ideal material for the outdoor breakfast table and seating. While wrought iron offers the customary table and seating, hardwood can offer fabulous table and seating options where the design can be totally raw, manifesting as raw sliced bark of the tree serving as seats and table top.
Fairy tale twist
If the dining space steps out to a charming lawn, the options for creating a breakfast nook are aplenty.
While the breakfast table and chairs will need to use weather friendly material, the nook can be given a fairy tale twist with floral plants and accompanying garden artefacts. While the presence of flowers attracts butterflies, planting a fruit bearing tree if the space permits, will attract birds too, offering an inspiring start to the day along with a wholesome breakfast.