Think You Don't Have An Eat-In Kitchen Because Of Space? Think Again

If you live in an older house or a small apartment, you might be used to dealing with the downsides of a cramped kitchen — limited counter space, not enough storage, and no room for a proper dining table, to name a few. Before you write off the idea of having an eat-in kitchen altogether, you might want to consider adding a built-in dining nook to the space. While it might seem like a dated design choice that was originally made popular in the 1920s and 1930s, dining nooks are making a comeback in 2025 as homeowners lean toward smaller, more affordable homes. 

One of the clever tricks HGTV stars use to make a small kitchen seem bigger, a dining nook is essentially a built-in seating area that turns an unused corner or stretch of wall into a functional dining spot. It typically includes a small table with a bench or banquette built into one side and two or three chairs on the other. Anchoring the seating to the wall instead of placing it in the middle of the room maximizes valuable floor space. Plus, it creates an inviting, cozy atmosphere perfect for all kinds of meals and life moments. Sharing a photo of a built-in dining spot he designed for a small New York City apartment on Instagram, HGTV star Nate Berkus previously revealed his love for the versatile, space-saving design hack. "Breakfast nook, dinner party, game night, this banquette is made for living," he wrote in the caption.

While saving floor space is certainly one of the biggest perks of having a built-in dining nook, the benefits don't stop there — it's also a great way to maximize storage space in small kitchens. By making the bench seating hollow, you can neatly tuck things away like table linens, cookware, or even small kitchen appliances you don't use every day. One way to incorporate this extra storage space into your nook is by designing a bench with a detachable or hinged top so you can easily access what's stored underneath. Alternatively, you could add drawers on either end of the bench for even easier access. 

Another advantage of a built-in dining nook is that it can be made far more comfortable than a classic dining table by adding big, cozy cushions to the bench seating. In addition to the cushions, there are plenty of fun ways you can decorate your dining nook to complement your home's decor. Bringing in thoughtful touches like a floral centerpiece or a hanging pendant light will also tie it all together and make the setup feel intentional rather than just a table squeezed into a corner. If you don't have the wall space for an eat-in kitchen, though, there are other solutions. You can achieve a similar effect by integrating a dining nook into one side of your kitchen island — a smart design hack often used by HGTV's Drew Scott to maximize kitchen seating.