The farmhouse style has become increasingly popular, offering a cozy and inviting atmosphere perfect for gathering with family and friends. A farmhouse-fresh breakfast nook is a functional way to add this charming aesthetic into your home. Below, we’ll explore how to create your own farmhouse-inspired breakfast nook, from furniture selection to finishing touches.
Farmhouse-Fresh Breakfast Nook
The farmhouse style is cute, comfortable, and forgiving. Painted and rustic wood finishes only get better with wear. In this dining space, classic elements of the farmhouse look, such as a big, open-shelf hutch and a long communal-style table, invite a pile-up of pottery pieces. Dishware that seems hand-thrown, textured linens, and fresh flowers hint at the rural life.
Keeping the lines clean and the color palette light give the look an updated feel. Bench seating is softened with striped toss-pillow cushions. A single French country armchair painted the same pale gray as the hutch adds a subtle bit of ornamentation. Whimsical farm-animal shapes (used sparingly) appear as accents.
As we explore the various elements that make up a farmhouse-fresh breakfast nook, you’ll discover how to assemble your own casual, countrified spot with a mix of elbow grease, thrifty alternatives, and carefully chosen accents.
Painted Hutch as a Breakfast Nook Focal Point
A painted hutch serves as a focal point in any farmhouse-inspired breakfast nook. When selecting a hutch, look for pieces with open shelving to display your favorite dishes, pottery, and decorative items. Consider a hutch with a combination of open shelves and closed storage to balance display space with practical storage solutions.
To achieve an instantly aged finish on a handcrafted pine piece, like this one from Sawdust City, brush it with gray paint in a chalky matte sheen. We picked an Annie Sloan chalk paint in Paris Gray. This technique adds depth to the wood, creating a timeworn appearance quintessential to the farmhouse style.
To further enhance the “worn” look, try distressing the painted finish slightly by sanding the edges and corners. Incorporating hanging hooks for cups adds both practical storage and visual appeal.
Dairy Decanters Decorate Breakfast Table
Before the widespread use of cartons, milk and cream were stored and served in glass or ceramic vessels. Try incorporating these vintage-inspired dairy decanters into your breakfast nook. Look for pieces that combine form and function, such as a classic glass bottle from Farmhouse Wares or a cow-shaped creamer from Fishs Eddy.
When selecting dairy decanters, think about materials and styles. Glass bottles offer a clean, classic look, while ceramic pieces are more playful. Don’t be afraid to mix and match for an eclectic, collected-over-time feel. Using vintage finds at flea markets or second-hand shops can add authenticity to your collection, further emphasizing the farmhouse motif.
French-Country Dining Chair
A French-country dining chair adds a touch of elegance to the rustic farmhouse aesthetic. Look for chairs with scalloped backs and rush seats, which offer comfort and style. While vintage pieces such as the homeowner’s chair can add authenticity to your nook, new chairs inspired by classic French-country design can achieve a similar effect. We found this one on Wayfair.
For a cohesive look, paint the chair in a color that complements your hutch. To enhance comfort and tie the chair into your overall color scheme, add a small cushion or throw pillow in a coordinating fabric. This makes the seat more inviting and brings in additional textures and patterns to your nook. Striped or floral fabrics can help to further emphasize the quaint, country feel.
Pulley Pendant Nook Light
Lighting plays a crucial role in creating the right ambiance for your breakfast nook. A pulley pendant light with a funnel-shaped shade, like this one from Bellacor, not only provides focused illumination over your table but also adds an industrial touch that complements the farmhouse style.
The pulley pendant’s adjustable height feature is practical and visually interesting. It lets you customize the lighting to suit different occasions, from intimate breakfasts to larger gatherings. The counterweight system adds a unique visual element that becomes a conversation piece in itself.
When selecting a pulley pendant, consider your table size and the overall scale of your nook. Look for finishes that complement your other metal accents, such as cabinet hardware or faucets, to create a cohesive design. Selecting a light bulb with a warm glow can enhance the inviting and cozy feel of your nook.
Rustic Wood Beam
A rustic wood beam adds architectural interest and warmth to your farmhouse breakfast nook. While authentic reclaimed barn wood has character, decorative box beams made to look like weathered wood, available from Barron Designs, can achieve a similar effect without the need for structural modifications.
These beams can be used in various ways to enhance your nook’s farmhouse appeal. Consider installing one as a faux ceiling beam to add depth overhead. Alternatively, use a beam as a floating shelf to display decorative items or as a mantel-like feature above a sideboard or hutch. When selecting or creating a rustic wood beam, look for pieces with visible knots, grain patterns, and imperfections.
Toss Pillows for Your Breakfast Nook
Toss pillows are an easy and effective way to add comfort, color, and pattern to your farmhouse breakfast nook. They’re particularly useful for softening bench seating, which can sometimes feel bare without added cushioning. When selecting pillows, look for fabrics and patterns such as gingham checks (SPR Home), ticking stripes (Annie Selke), and subtle florals.
To create a cohesive look, choose pillows in a coordinating color palette that ties in with your other textiles and painted surfaces. Mix and match patterns and textures for added visual interest, but try to maintain a consistent color theme to avoid a cluttered appearance.
Consider your pillows’ practicality choices as well. Opt for removable covers that can be easily washed, especially if your breakfast nook sees frequent use. Durable fabrics like cotton and linen are ideal for withstanding daily wear and tear while maintaining their farmhouse charm. Additionally, adding pillows in seasonal colors and patterns can keep the look fresh and engaging throughout the year.
Farmhouse Style Sturdy Stoneware
Sturdy stoneware is a hallmark of farmhouse style. Incorporate pieces such as a large pitcher for flowers (Mast General Store) and decorative dishes like a nesting-hen dish (Bed Bath & Beyond). These items embodying the practical yet beautiful ethos of farmhouse design.
When selecting stoneware, look for pieces with a handcrafted appearance. Slight imperfections and variations in glaze add to the authentic, artisanal feel. Choose a mix of neutral tones and subtle colors that complement your overall color scheme. Use your stoneware to create vignettes on open shelves or as centerpieces on your table.
Robin’s-Egg-Blue Dishware for Breakfast
Robin’s-egg-blue dishware adds a soft, soothing color to your farmhouse breakfast nook. This gentle hue evokes a country morning and pairs beautifully with the neutral tones often found in farmhouse decor. While these porcelain pieces may look delicate, many modern versions are designed to be both dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
When incorporating robin’s-egg-blue dishware—like this set from Bed Bath & Beyond—into your nook, consider mixing it with white or cream pieces for a fresh, clean feel. The contrast between the blue and lighter tones creates visual interest and prevents the color from overwhelming the space. When not in use, display your dishware on open shelves or in a glass-front cabinet to make the most of its decorative potential.
Harvest Breakfast Table and Bench
A harvest table and matching bench are essential elements of a farmhouse breakfast nook. These pieces provide ample seating for family meals and casual gatherings while embodying the communal spirit of farmhouse living. When selecting a table and bench set, like this one from IKEA, look for sturdy construction and simple, clean lines that will stand the test of time.
Unfinished wood furniture offers the opportunity to customize your pieces to fit your specific color scheme. Consider staining the set in a warm, golden oak hue to add richness to the wood. This treatment enhances the grain’s natural beauty and helps create cohesion with the other wood elements in your nook.
To maximize comfort and style, pair your bench with cushions or a custom-made seat pad. This also provides another opportunity to introduce color and pattern into your space. Consider using outdoor fabric for easy cleaning and durability, especially if you have young children or pets. Adding a cloth runner along the bench can also bring in a touch of sophistication and ease of maintenance.
