From Proper Dining Room to Small Dining Nook

Simple ways to transition from a proper dining room to a small dining nook. Ideas for downsizing furniture and making it all work.

Eating areas are one of the most important spaces in our homes. It’s where our families gather to share meals, it’s where we hang out, and a dining space is always connected to the kitchen, which makes it part of the heart of a home. When a home doesn’t have a designated dining room, a smaller, more intimate spot works just as well. In our case, we have what we call a dining nook. It’s a small and simple space at the end of our kitchen that holds our table and chairs. You won’t find a banquette with cushions and pillows, but it does have a lovely large window, and it was easy to transform this empty corner into a functional dining nook for our family.

This dining room post is the second in a series about the evolution of all the rooms in our home. Make sure to scroll to the end to see what my friends, Yvonne and Lory, are sharing about the evolution of their dining rooms.

Our Proper Dining Room

When comparing our previous house with our current one, a big, glaring difference is the lack of a proper dining room at the Sugar Maple house. Even though we rarely used it, I loved our Sutton Place dining room. It had beautiful board and batten, heirloom furniture, natural light, and ample seating. There wasn’t an over-abundance of floor space, but it was a comfortable and cozy room for our family gatherings.

Downsizing from a formal dining room to a dining nook was actually much easier than I had anticipated. I was sure I would miss the storage in the corner cabinets, and the large dining table…but so far, I haven’t missed either one. I cleared out quite a few decor accessories, and other items I no longer used, before we moved. So what I actually brought with me was much less than what was originally stored in the dining room.

What is the Difference Between a Nook and a Dining Room?

A dining nook, which is what we have now, and a dining room serve the same purpose, but they are very different. A nook is traditionally a small space. It opens to the kitchen, and has large windows. Bay windows are a very popular choice for a dining nook. Also referred to as a breakfast nook, this space is home to an informal dining table and chairs, but little else. Sometimes in older homes, a butler’s pantry separates the kitchen from the dining nook.

Choosing the Table: Measure Twice

When deciding on a table for your dining nook, measure the square footage, and carefully consider what size table will fit best. You want a seating area that is functional, and that sits the maximum amount of people. Our trestle table measures 78 inches long, and seats six people perfectly. It came with the bonus of two leaves, so when extra family is visiting, the small table can expand in length.

Another thing to consider is the shape of your nook. If it’s a square space, a round table will work beautifully. An alcove that’s oblong will work better with an oval or rectangular table. Make sure the seating area has enough room to pull the chairs in and out. We don’t sit at our table on a daily basis…so it’s relatively close to the walls. When we are ready to use it, it’s super easy to pull out and away from the walls.

Matching or Not: Follow Your Heart

I know that a matching table and chairs set isn’t the trendy choice right now. There are a few reasons I went that route, but the most important one is about making decisions. When we were in the middle of our move, I went through a phase where I was overwhelmed with all the decisions that had to be made. I looked and looked at dining sets, but the more I looked, the harder it was to make up my mind. The only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted a farmhouse trestle table.

When I was choosing the necessary furniture for our new home, all my shopping was done online. Because I was unable to see my choices “in person,” I was more conservative and careful than usual. I felt confident ordering the matching table and chairs, so that’s what I did. I knew that after a year or two, I could easily swap out the chairs for something different.

More Ideas for a Dining Nook

• A statement pendant light goes a long way in adding character to a small dining nook. Choose a fixture substantial in size that will give off an adequate amount of light.
• A side bench is also an easy way to add interest to a dining nook. We opted not to do this, but again, if I decide I want a bench later, it’s a quick swap.
• Take advantage of any windows in your space, and let in the sunlight. Use minimal fabric, shades that can be raised all the way, or shutters that are easy to open and close.

• Shelves are a simple way to add decor accents to a small dining nook. The shelves pictured above are simple pine boards that I painted, and then hung with corbels. They provide storage for my blue and white treasures, and help fill the big blank wall.
• Wallpaper is another idea to make your dining nook a cozy place and add sophistication. I’m seriously considering hanging wallpaper on the back wall with the window. It’s towards the bottom of my to-do list though, so I’m not sure when it will happen!

Now take a look at what Yvonne and Lory are sharing…

StoneGable | The Evolution Of A Dining Room

Designthusiasm | Refining Our French Style Dining Room