How to Build a DIY Breakfast Nook

Build a DIY breakfast nook and you’ll be able to enjoy coffee, breakfast, and light meals with friends and family—while tucked away in a corner of your kitchen or dining area.

This cute, cozy L-shaped nook is assembled from two connecting benches. It’s the perfect place for socializing or for a quiet moment. This breakfast nook is easy to build, uses simple materials found at your local home center, and can be completed in just a couple of days.

DIY Breakfast Nook Features

• Uses Veneer Wood: The bench fronts are faced with plywood, itself faced with hardwood veneer applied in the factory. All you need to do is cut and install the plywood—the veneering has already been done for you.
• Simple: All of the materials can be purchased at your local home center or lumber yard. The structure is made from two-by-fours and the edges are trimmed in one-by-fours.
• Inexpensive: Since the rear sides of the benches face walls, they do not need to be covered with veneer wood. Eliminating this step saves on costs and time.
• Custom Cushions: The cushions can be upholstered in any fabric that you choose.

Scheduling Your Project

While the nook’s build takes only a few hours, you’ll need to factor in the multiple coats of stain and coating. Due to oil-based polyurethane’s slow curing time, this will take two or three days. Be sure that each coat is completely cured before applying the next coat.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• 3-inch screws
• 1-1/4-inch screws
• 1-inch screws
• Wood clamps
• Cordless drill
• Electric nailer
• Framing square
• Table saw
• Electric miter saw
• Hand saw
• Staple gun
• Tape measure
• Pencil

Materials

• 8 two-by-fours
• 2 one-by-fours
• 2 veneer finished plywood sheets, 4-foot by 8-foot
• Foam rubber
• Polyester upholstery batting
• Fabric (for cushions)
• Wood stain
• Polyurethane coating, oil-based spray

Instructions

1. Cut the Bench Tops and BottomsCut the two-by-fours into 8 sections, each 5 feet long. From the remainders, cut 8 pieces of two-by-fours, each at 18 inches long.
2. Build the Bench Tops and BottomsAssemble the cut two-by-fours into four rectangles: the 5-foot pieces forming the two long sides of the rectangle and the 18-inch pieces forming the sides. Screw these together.
3. Build the Bench Vertical SupportsCut more of the two-by-fours into 8 pieces, each 18 inches long. With screws, attach these to the inner part of the two rectangles. By this point, each bench should have a rectangle on the bottom as the base, four inner vertical 18-inch supports, and another rectangle at the top that is flush with the tops of the vertical supports.
4. Face the Benches with PlywoodCut two pieces of plywood at 5-foot by 18 inches, each. Cut two more pieces at 18 inches by 18 inches. Nail the long pieces to the fronts of the frames built in the previous step. Nail the two side pieces to the left of one bench and to the right of the other bench.TipBefore cutting veneer finished plywood, adhering a strip of painters tape to the veneered side of the piece along the cut line will minimize a rough edge caused by a less-than-perfectly sharp saw blade.
5. Attach the BenchesPosition the benches in an L-shape. From the inside, screw the benches together with the 3-inch screws.
6. Trim the Bench CornersBecause the two outer corners of the benches are rough plywood, they need to be finished. Cut four pieces of one-by-four, each 18 inches long. Wrap each corner with two pieces, nailing them in place.
7. Make the Seat CushionsCut a piece of plywood sized according to the top dimension of one of the benches. Cut foam rubber to size. Cut the polyester upholstery batting to fit the top, plus enough extra to extend over the sides and another 2 inches. Use the batting as a template to cut the cushion cloth. Wrap the foam rubber with the batting and staple on the bottom. Wrap all of this with the cushion cloth and staple at the bottom once again. Repeat for the second bench.NoteAt this point, you’re halfway finished if you’re building the breakfast nook and table combination. Or you can stop here if you wish to pair your finished banquette with another table. Just make sure that the height of the table is compatible with the banquette.
8. Cut and Assemble the Table TopOn the table saw, cut a sheet of veneer plywood in half into two pieces, each piece 4-foot by 4-foot. Smear wood glue over the faces with the rough veneer finish, then sandwich them together and attach on one side with 1-inch screws.
9. Build the Table ColumnAt a 45-degree miter angle, cut four pieces of plywood at 30 inches long by 12 inches wide. Assemble the pieces to form the column for the table. Glue all edges and nail together.
10. Build the Table BaseSimilar to the table top, cut two pieces of plywood at 24 inches square, each. Glue them together and screw on one side. 
11. Assemble the TableLocate the center of the table top (bottom) and the table base (top). Build two brackets from two-by-fours. The size of each bracket should be based on the inner dimension of the table column. Screw these brackets to the bottom of the table top and the top of the base. Slide the column over each bracket and screw or nail from the side.
12. Add Table Top BandingCut four pieces of one-by-four wood to fit around the perimeter of the table top. Cut each end at a 45-edge angle. Glue and nail to the sides of the table top.
13. Stain and Protect the Breakfast NookStain or paint the bench and table, then apply polyurethane coating to protect both items.

Safety Note

Oil-based polyurethane coating is noxious and should not be sprayed indoors. Move the items outdoors if you wish to use this coating.

To avoid moving the banquette and table, use a water-based polyurethane coating in quart size and brush it on (it has very little odor).

Tips For Building a DIY Breakfast Nook

• Select the veneer wood carefully for the best wood grain.
• Note that veneered wood usually has one side of fine-quality veneer and an opposite side of lower-quality veneer wood.
• When placing the veneer wood on the benches, make sure that the two endcap pieces display the best grain because they are most visible.