What is difference between breakfast table and dining table?
Many people have breakfast nooks in their homes. But, do you need a breakfast table set for your space? Let’s go over the reasons why you would want one and why you may want to skip it.
What is a Breakfast Table Set?
Many homes are designed with a designated breakfast nook area in addition to a formal dining room. Typically this area is right off the kitchen. Due to the popularity of breakfast nooks, breakfast table sets are also very popular. A breakfast table set is typically a smaller table that has a more casual feel than a formal dining room. Because it is usually right off the kitchen, it is the perfect spot to gather with family before you start the day.
A great example of a breakfast nook area is the Corkrans’ home. These wonderful customers of ours have two Unruh tables. In their breakfast nook, they have the Stockyard Table, and in their formal dining room, they have the Sawyer Table. As you can see in the photo below, their breakfast nook is just off the kitchen, making it easy to serve everyone in the morning. Their breakfast table set makes for a stylish touch for their home decor, all while being very functional.
Who Needs a Breakfast Table Set?
If you have the space for a set and have room in the budget for one, then you should! As mentioned above, many houses are designed with breakfast nooks included in the floor plan. It can be challenging to work around a breakfast nook and use the square footage for another purpose. So, if you have the room for a breakfast table set, it may be the best option to use the space for it. Your breakfast nook will not go to waste, as it can be a great breakfast and lunch spot. It is also a great spot for kids to do homework and for family game night.
The Lemay house, shown below, is an example of a space that needs a breakfast table set. They have both our Dearborn Table and our Colby Bench in the eat-in kitchen. With the layout of their space, they need the perfect table and a great bench. They tell us that they use their space every day, despite always being on the go with their five kids. So, if your space is similar to theirs, and it will feel empty without a breakfast table set, consider purchasing one.
Who Doesn’t Need a Breakfast Table Set?
Many newly-built homes do not feature a breakfast nook in their floor plans. Some home designers have been including just one dining space in the houses they design. With that being said, if your floor plan is like this, then you may not need a breakfast table set. However, if you like the cozy feel of a breakfast nook, then consider purchasing a more casual dining table. A piece such as our Farmhouse Table (shown below) is still great looking, but it doesn’t have the incredibly formal feel that many formal dining room tables have. For an even better breakfast nook feel, you can get it with our Farm Bench. Because it is the farmhouse table style, it is still grand in appearance, but it still makes for a cozy breakfast table and dining room table set.
The benefit of having a formal dining room is that it is the perfect spot for holiday dinners. But, it is possible to get the best of both worlds with just one dining space. On the holidays, you can spruce up your dining table and make it more formal with decorations. You can also get a larger table to fit your family members when they come over for celebrations.
Choosing Your Dining Table Set
We hope this blog post helped you make a decision on whether or not you should get a breakfast nook table or stick to a dining room table. Feel free to look through our customer spaces to get some design inspiration at any time. No matter if you are getting a breakfast table or a dining room set, your space is sure to look great.
If you are looking to get a custom table made for your space, consider shopping with us. We make handcrafted, solid wood dining room tables for our clients. Our team would love to make a wooden table for your family to enjoy that will last a lifetime.
Breakfast Room vs Formal Dining Room
When building a custom home, you will be faced with many design choices and options. As you begin to look at design plans, you might start to wonder if you really need a formal dining room. You might also notice something called a breakfast room instead of a formal dining room. Here’s what to consider when evaluating a breakfast room vs a formal dining room for your custom home:
Breakfast Room
Here’s what to know about breakfast rooms for your custom home:
What is a Breakfast Room?
A breakfast room, or sometimes more commonly known as a breakfast nook, is a spot in or near your kitchen that is designated for eating. It can be separated from the kitchen with a little alcove or a wall. Breakfast rooms are usually a casual, cozy spot with windows to let in light and have comfy seating. Breakfast rooms are one of the most popular custom home designs ideas.
3 Things to Consider About Breakfast Rooms
If you’re thinking about a breakfast nook or room for your custom home, here’s what to consider:
1. Breakfast Rooms Maximize Space
A breakfast room is a great way to make use of space in your kitchen. Breakfast rooms allow you to have close proximity to your kitchen, but still have space to eat. They also can be utilized all day, not just during breakfast.
2. They Are Efficient and Allow for Easier Connection
The close proximity to the kitchen allows you to work in the kitchen, while still keeping an eye on children or allows you to be a part of the conversation around the table. This is a great way to keep families connected and together, which is why it’s one of the family-friendly custom home design ideas.
It’s also a great option if you prefer your home to be more casual and laid-back. This can be a benefit to an open concept floor plan.
3. A Breakfast Room Could Mean a Busier Kitchen
Of course, having a breakfast room so close to the kitchen may mean disruptions to either cooking or dining. There are tips for including a breakfast nook in your custom home design that you can use to reduce disruption. But, if you are a person who prefers to cook and clean without many disruptions, the breakfast room may not be the choice for you.
Formal Dining Room
Here’s what to know about formal dining rooms for your custom home:
What is a Formal Dining Room?
Although the formal dining room is also typically close to the kitchen, it is usually closed off with a door and is a separate space from the kitchen. A functional dining room can provide a dining space separate from the kitchen, but does not require a wall or door to define the separate space.
Functional dining rooms tend to be more popular in open-concept layouts while formal dining rooms are a better option for homeowners that want a clear separation between the kitchen and dining room. This can be helpful if you plan on entertaining a lot, especially if you have small children who may be resting or involved in other activities.
3 Things to Consider About Formal Dining Rooms
Here are a few things to consider about formal dining rooms for your custom home:
1. They Make it Easier to Entertain More Guests
Formal dining rooms also allow for a lot more guests to be entertained. Dining rooms usually allow for larger tables, as well as sideboards or other pieces of furniture on which to set food and beverages. If you plan on entertaining frequently, a formal dining room might be the best option for your custom home. Plus, there are many modern dining room ideas to help you create a great atmosphere that also makes the most of this space in your home.
2. The Kitchen Will Be Further From the Dining Space
Having a formal dining room will mean that your kitchen will be a little bit farther away from your dining space. This is great for entertaining, but it can be frustrating if you frequently need to go back to the kitchen for more food. It also can be isolating cooking in the kitchen alone, while everyone else is socializing in the dining room.
3. They Can be an Inefficient Use of Space
Formal dining rooms can also be a waste of space if you don’t use them frequently. If you know most of your meals will be eaten in your kitchen, either at an island or breakfast bar, or even at a small table in your kitchen, a formal dining room might not be worth it. Use that space for something else that will benefit you and your family.
Breakfast Room vs Formal Dining Room, or Both?
These are just a few things to consider when you are evaluating a breakfast room vs formal dining room. Depending on your lifestyle and home design, one might be better than the other. Of course, if you and your family know you will benefit from both a breakfast room and a formal dining room, that choice is up to you.
If you’re ready to get started designing and building your own custom home, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090. We’ll help bring your dream home to life!