Try posting your photos down here in the comments section. This site is notoriously glitchy when it comes to posting pictures.

Floors unfortunately have to stay but I'm currently resealing them in a lighter color now. Starting white cabinet painting this weekend and going back and forth between butcherblock/granite counters and subway tile/beadboard backsplash. Recessed lighting and updating light above the sink will be the last update. Anything you think would look good, I'd love to hear! Thank you!!

Would also like to mention that this would not be our family's primary dining table. Just a nice cozy spot for kids to have a snack, color, hangout :)

Chairs on the window side and free standing bench opposite with a pedestal or trestle table.

A round table holds 6, one chair at window. Do kids table where their play area at wall.

Are you updating your lighting and countertops?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to post a pic of the whole space. It's open concept kitchen/dining/living room so my only hesitation on the table with 6 chairs would be that this nook is in view of our actual dining table and it might seem strange? And the bench across from the chairs at the window would be sort of a barrier in the middle of the room. Yes we are updating lighting and counters. I'm fortunate to have a dad who is an electrician :) i just wanted to save those for last so i knew what i wanted after everything else was done. Still debating between butcherblock/granite and beadboard/subway tile..

You're going to have to block the window a wee bit. What about a built in bench on the wall with cushions? You can put a nice piece of artwork above it and chairs facing it.

You have space there for an actual table and chairs I really dislike bench seating it barely works at the picnic grounds . As for decor I am not really getting ideas without seeing the rest of the house. How many seats do you need in that nook?

I don’t like benches either. What’s wrong with the table and chairs that are there now? When you remove the toys, just pull the table away from the corner a bit. You could put a round or oval rug under it.

I think you need to incorporate that kids space into your actual kitchen. They can snack and color at the bar. You do not need three eating spots in that space. And the kids are going to grow fast and stop using the little table.

So expand the kitchen instead of giving the kids a dedicated space.

The windows there are nice but you could replace with shorter windows, build a banquette against the new portion of wall, install a rectangular table with chairs on the side opposite. I agree with other posters - benches just don't work well and are not comfortable. Good luck!

How many people are in your family? A 42” round table with 4 chairs may fit well.

My daughter has a similar area next to her dining room/kitchen space and she put a long comfy wooden leg sofa and easy chair with an oval cocktail table that is for drinks,
feet, little boy cars etc. we all love it either for gabbing while she cooks or extra seating for dessert etc. Picture rails above hold family pictures. It is always in use with family kids or visitors!

Looks like the perfect spot for a mudroom area with places to stow shoes/coats/etc. A storage bench could do double duty in that area.

My suggestion is the same as arcy_gw. You already have a spot for snacks at the bar. Two comfortable upholstered chairs and a smaller scale table would be perfect in that corner.

As to your thoughts on counter tops, I think a butcher block would go a long way to warm up the space if you're going to have white cabinets and the gray floors.

AGREE with Shady.

I already count 12 chairs and 2 huge couches, can't believe you need "more?"

Otherwise I would absolutely suggest a small L shaped banquette with storage.

Little kids and chairs everywhere = clutter, chairs not being pushed in after each use, gobbling up precious space....

Agree on using the nook for something different and having the kiddos at the counter.

If the kids don't eat at the table you could put their table and front of the window I get is and leave it there you could put where their kitchens kid sat up is you could put a bench on that wall and I have holes in the bench for kid storage and you could always have a table there a few won a round table to or not coz she do have your dining table right by the kitchen

So thankful for all these suggestions! I 100% agree I do not need any more places to eat lol I just had no idea what else to put there. Thanks for the visual @katinparadise. My only hesitation with butcher block was if it'd be too much with all the dark wood floors in the living room and then I wasn't sure if you match the wood to the floors or take it the other direction and go light or a mixed wood? Love the ideas of two chairs with a small table or the couch. And @Janie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK you nailed it on the head with all the furniture and the kids. Already saving up for a sectional so we can get rid of the two couches and coffee table because... clutter. SO helpful everyone :) Thank you again.

I love wood so I don't ever think there can be too much. Plus, your raised countertop is all you would really see from the other spaces since it blocks a lot of it from your visual line of sight.

I like the two couches more than a sectional. I think you can seat more people.

Good luck with your project! Post pics of progress if you would!

I would do high back bench/booth seat against the wall with two chairs on end or other side.. my kids are in high school and LOVE booth seating!!

So if you don't want more seating area why don't you just put up plant on a pedal

😍😍

Yes that's what I was hoping you'd want to do

A little update :) half the kitchen is finally painted! Side cabinets still need the hardware put on. Butcher block was the original plan but I feel like soapstone would look soooooo good but it's out of the budget :( has anyone seen anything similar to soapstone appearance (laminate/Formica) that you could recommend? Or should I just stick with the butcherblock?

They have a visualizer:

https://www.wilsonart.com/laminate/residential-collection#

Done painting!

Looking for lighting suggestions. We're thinking of putting in recessed lighting. Would pendants over the bar look good? And should I put a light over the sink or just omit and use only the can lights?

You could put lights over the bar area but keep them light and airy so they don't block the open sight line. I think you'll be fine with just recessed lights and don't really need one over the sink.

Great color & painting job! <3

“Stuck on breakfast nook, help!!”

Have you tried sliding out?

Thanks you guys! I'm so excited :) @eam44 what you do you mean by sliding out?