
Having been recently presented with our own kitchen/dining dilemma, the corner dining nook unit became an instant winner that solved multiple layout issues in one.
Perhaps, it is one of the best solutions that can actually be utilised in both the smallest, and largest spaces. The solution to maximising a dead corner in a kitchen, or a way of squeezing more bums onto seats in a kitchen.
It’s a rising trend for 2025, and there are so many inspiring ways to get creative with colour and texture, and creating a space that’s just as cosy to sit at.
Corner Dining Nook Ideas To Make Your Space Cozy and Inviting
Before getting into it, perhaps you’re at the renovation stage or wondering how to rework your space, or think outside the box. I wanted to share what we faced with our kitchen.
As you’ll see on the floor plan below where the kitchen flows into the sink and back door, there is a protruding wall. Whilst many people assumed we would knock this down to create an open plan space, I found an opportunity to make a perfect seating area for the kitchen that would not have been possible without this wall.
The L shaped wall it creates as you can see perfectly lends itself to a cosy seating nook, in fact, it was made for it! Without this wall we would have simply had a floating dining table with chairs pushed up against the back door and toilet.
It’s so important to take a step back from your design plans sometimes and not listen to the noise, this is where a good interior designer can come in and help you with making the space work better for you!
Whilst we are still in the midst of renovating and this area is NOT finished or styled yet (or photographed well lol, it is real), I also wanted to share a photo of it so far so you can see how it looks within the space.
1.Large Sociable Area
Corner dining nooks don’t just have to be for tiny spaces, in fact they’re an excellent solution for expansive walls. Adding extra room for bums and making a design accent out of it.
Rectangular dining tables are ideal for larger banquette seating areas like shown in the image below.
2. Lean Into The Darkness
I am a huge fan of banquette seating because it allows you to introduce far more colour and texture than standard dining chairs.
Use it as an opportunity to lean into the darkness, using a darker shade on the lower half of the area to ground the nook, drawing the eye up with a lighter colour on top. The paint colour used here is Benjamin Moore Forest Green.
3. Clash Texture & Colour
Claire’s home is nothing short of beautiful, and her nook setup is a perfect example of making one slightly larger for a full family.
It creates such a sociable and cosy setting, with a window seat tied into it. Don’t be afraid to clash intentional colours and patterns, cushions are a fun and delicate way to do this.
Take the lead with one of the top design trends for 2025 and opt for a mixture of finishes on your cushions with frills, trims and straight edges for a tactile feel.
4. Make The Most of A Curved Space
If you’re lucky enough to have a curved nook, there really is only one solution for it!
The true meaning of a corner cosy nook, and it’s one of the best uses of space. As the saying goes, curves cost, so a perfectly formed seating area like this will be slightly more expensive to achieve, but it’s worth it for what really is a design feature of the house.
5. Juxtapose Fabric
The best part of a banquette bench is a gorgeous upholstered cushion on it.
Adding a juxtaposing cushion on the back is not only a great idea from a comfort point of view, but it brings added interest to the area, breaking up the monotony of the wall colour.
6. Maximise A Corner Space
If you have a dead corner space in a kitchen, utilising it for a corner nook solves a common design dilemma.
It creates an intentional space and a sociable aspect when joined to the kitchen. Lift the walls by creating a gallery wall, and think about lighting too. Wall lights over a nook will create an ambient feeling during the evening without having to rely on the ‘big light’.

7. Breakfast Nook
Nooks can be as small as you want them, and actually they’re perfect for smaller two person breakfast nooks if you have some spare space and you have a dining room elsewhere.
A round table is a great design choice for a banquette as it instantly softens the space and creates a better flow of traffic around the table which is so important in a small space.
8. Boho Inspired
Typically banquette seating is painted and upholstered with a seat cushion, but take inspiration from the below and lean into the popular boho design trend.
The fluted wooden base adds a contemporary feel, and is very much on trend for 2025.
9. Use Tongue and Groove Panelling
Using tongue and groove panelling on the back of your seating is a popular choice. It elongates the wall, and provides a more sturdy back than a bare wall.
Keep the colour the same for a flawless feel like below, or paint in a juxtaposing colour for an injection of character.
10. Coastal Inspired
Blues and reds are always a good idea if you’re a fan of coastal design influences. Pick a key colour in your scheme and then a couple of main accent colours, in this case red and white tones are the accent colours.
Instead of tongue and groove panelling, shaker panelling has been using on the wall to match with the base of the banquette seating.
11. Stripes Are Always A Good Idea
If you’re looking for a timeless fabric for your seat cushion, stripes are always a good idea! They’re stylish and will elevate any seat cushion, whilst it’s versatile enough to work with other patterns.
Note the larger artwork that’s used in this area too, often we think that a small space needs smaller accessories, but this can make a space feel even more inferior. I always say to scale up with your choices, it usually always pays off!
12. Elevate The Seat Cushion
Banquette seating is not known as being the comfiest seating option if you’re straight up against a bare wall.
This back cushion solution is one of my favourites, bringing more of a design accent to the nook. Using a wooden rod, or even bamboo, the seat cushion attaches to this for an elevated seating area.
13. Built In Storage Base
The beauty of getting custom joinery made for your banquette is that this is the stage you can choose to build some storage into it.
Whether you add drawers or a function to lift the top, it’s a perfect way to make your space work smarter for you.
14. Pastel Colours
If you’re looking for some colour inspiration, what about pastels?
This spring like look is brought to life by the sweet pink and sage green tones, allowing you to add some punchier colours into the mix with artwork and cushions.
15. Add A Pretty Skirt
Instead of having an exposed base, why not build a skirt for it?
This seat cushion has beautifully been upholstered, a unique twist on a traditional banquette base, and it sets the tone for a dainty, pretty scheme.
16. Natural, Wooden Tones
Earthy inspired design is huge for interiors in 2025, and leading with natural wooden tones is perfect for a gentle nod to the outside world.
Perhaps if you have wooden kitchen cabinetry, it would feel intentional to use the same wood, or a lighter or darker tone on your banquette seating area.
17. Ground The Space With Black
Add a touch of modernity to your nook with black. Not only does it hide a multitude of sins, it’s a great grounding colour that will define and zone a space like a dining area.
Introduce neutral colours to furnishings and a lighter colour on the walls like shown below, it will draw the eye up and balance the intensity of the black.
18. Bring The Colour Up
Slightly like a colour drenching approach but without including the ceiling, use the same colour on the banquette seating base and all up the wall. This is particularly effective with the tongue and groove panelling as it brings extra depth to the nook.
This nook has a really transitional, vintage feel which is characterful and unique.
19. The Unexpected Red Theory
The much loved theory coined in 2024, ‘the unexpected red theory’ concludes that a rooms scheme just needs a touch of red to pull it together.
Red and blue always deserve to be seen together and take this as your inspiration to start using red in your colour scheme this year. It’s actually much easier to pair with other colours than you think!
20. Relaxed, Yet Ultra Stylish
Nook dining spaces shouldn’t have to be over engineered, neither do you need to use heavily patterned cushions and colours.
This relaxed, coastal inspired nook just feels soothing to be around. Focus on whites, wooden tones and a couple of coastal accent colours such as red and blue.
21. A Corner Nook For A Reason
I wanted to leave this post on a corner space that really was meant for a nook, perfectly executed for the available space.
Grounding the area with black and white floor tiles and lifting with whites, and blues for the breeziest, cosiest space to sit at for breakfast and beyond.
Corner nooks really are special, and a beautiful design accent in the right space. If you have any questions about designing a nook, please leave me a comment below and I’ll come straight back!