Breakfast nook furniture usually consists of a table and chairs. There are lots of possibilities for both, but let’s discuss the tables first. Most breakfast tables are rectangular. The dimensions can vary but most are between 34 and 48 inches wide and 50 to 65 inches long. The typical table height is between 29 and 34 inches. Most rectangular tables have legs at all four corners. Typically the legs are connected by a trestle at each end of the table to provide extra support. There are also square or round breakfast tables. A typical size for a square or round table is 42 inches by 42 inches for a square or a 42 inch diameter for a circle. These tables, unlike rectangular ones, usually have one center leg to support the entire table. It is common for the leg to have a tripod or four prong bottom for extra support.

Breakfast tables are made of many different types of materials. Wood is probably the most common, but by no means is it the only material readily available. If you do have a wooden breakfast table, then chances are it is distressed wood. Since most breakfast nooks are less formal than dining rooms, you often find distressed wood that looks more casual. To distress the wood of a table, the edges are darkened and flattened. The corners are usually rounded so there are no sharp edges. Other than wood, you might find glass, ceramic tile, metal, plastic, Formica, or cork used as materials of construction for your breakfast table.

No matter what your table is made out of, it should be large enough to accommodate your entire family and perhaps a few guests. Try to use as much of the space as possible. There are a few ways to create extra space or make the most of the space you have available using different seating options.

The most common seating option for breakfast nook furniture is chairs. Chairs are probably most appropriate if you have a smaller family and only need to accommodate four to six people at any one time. Chairs can come in any of the same materials that the breakfast tables come in. Most likely the materials will match the material of the table. For example, if you have a wooden table then wooden chairs would be most appropriate. The matching could be less subtle, as well. For example, you might have a table with chrome legs and chairs with a leather upholstery and chrome trim.

The seating option that provides the biggest capacity for sitting and one that is very popular in breakfast nook sets is benches. You can have separate benches for each side of the table or L-shaped benches that wrap around two sides. It is quite common for the benches to have high backs. The high backs can fit into a corner with a corner breakfast nook set or they could offer a way to separate the breakfast nook area from the rest of the kitchen. Most breakfast nook benches have cushions and are quite comfortable. Another plus is that many come equipped with under the seat storage. A breakfast nook with storage is a welcome addition to any kitchen.

One final seating option is stools. These are not appropriate if you have small children because they are much easier to tip over and do not provide as stable a base. They also do not work well unless you have a higher table. High top tables are usually only made for two to three people, so if you have a large family then a breakfast nook table with stools is probably out of the question.

The Santa Fe breakfast nook set is the perfect solution for a family that needs a lot of seating, but has limited space. This set consists of a table and seating for eight to nine people. The seating is a combination of benches. There is a three seat bench with no back running down one side of the table. Then, there is an L-shaped bench that wraps around two of the other sides. The L-shaped bench is made up of a corner piece, a two seat bench, and a three seat bench. There are no chairs, so if you and your family are not comfortable in booths and on benches then this set is not for you. Keep in mind that not only do the benches mean you can fit more people at the table, they also mean extra storage space. There is under the seat storage in the L-shaped bench where you can keep anything that you need to.

This breakfast nooks set is made of distressed poplar wood. The combination of the distressed stylizing and the dark stain give the Santa Fe breakfast nook set a very earthy and country feel. One way that this manufacturer has elected to keep costs down is by combining solid poplar with poplar veneer. You cannot tell the difference from the outside, but the veneer lowers the cost significantly. The other material of construction used in this furniture is slate tiles. There is a row of inlaid slate tiles along the back of the L-shaped bench. These tiles are sealed into place and give the furniture a touch of color and character. The wide variety of colors and patterns in the tile make every version of the Santa Fe breakfast nook original.

One clever feature of this furniture set is the drop leaf that fits between the wall and the corner part of the L-shaped bench. The drop leaf provides a little shelf above head level where most people put some flowers, pictures, or other decorations. Yet another good feature is the fact that the set is reversible. You can put this furniture in any corner and make it work.

The cost of the Santa Fe breakfast nook set can be anywhere from $789 to $1,035 depending on where you shop. All in all , I think it is a great value for the money.

Furniture is the easiest way to get your 50s style breakfast nook. One of the most popular choices is the diner table with booths. When you think of a diner table then you probably think of a Formica table with an aluminum edge. Most likely, it will be rectangular with one center base rather than four legs in the corners. You can find tables like this in many specialty furniture stores. One great place to look is at yard sales and estate sales where people will be selling old furniture from their homes. These are very authentic. The most common seating choice for the diner table is vinyl booths. Red and black are popular colors. The vinyl is usually durable and very easy to clean. I have seen very nice sets that have a three-piece booth that fits in the corner with a high back. It is constructed of a short piece, a corner piece that is at a 45-degree angle with the other pieces, and a long piece. The high back sits against the walls. The other long side is usually a bench with no back or chairs. Most 1950s breakfast nook sets do not put seating at both of the small ends of the table so that it is more reminiscent of a Diner booth. If you do not use booths for seating, another option is aluminum chairs with vinyl seats. These chairs are usually bright colors like red or pastel colors like pink, green, or yellow.

A second option that is very retro is the high table with backless counter stools. Most 1950s soda shoppes or diners had counters where people could sit to eat. You can recreate that feeling by choosing a tall table with the stools around it or using your kitchen island as a counter. The stools are usually aluminum or some other metal and the seats are usually vinyl. Sometimes, the stool will swivel. This is also very authentic.

In addition to the furniture, there are other touches that you can make to make your retro kitchen and breakfast nook more genuine. Laminate floors were very popular back then. They are considered a little low brow these days, but if you really want your space to feel like a different time then it just would not be right to have wood or tile floors. Another trendy style in the 50s was wood paneling on the walls. Many times the wood paneling would go half way or three quarters of the way up the wall and the rest of the wall would be covered in very garish wallpaper or painted a pastel yellow or burnt orange. People were not afraid to use color when decorating in the 1950s. Curtains are more appropriate than blinds because they were more in style then. The small details are what make the difference between a cute imitation and a real retro room.