Eating and entertaining is an important activity in many homeowners lives. And you need to have an area to do these things. That is where a dining room or a breakfast nook comes to play. But many people have a hard time differentiating between the two. In this guide, we go over the difference between them and which one would work best for your home.
What is a dining room?
A dining room is what many people already know — a space adjacent to or in a separate room from your kitchen.
What is a breakfast nook?
A common area you may see in a family’s home is a breakfast nook. A breakfast nook is a space in the kitchen with a table and chairs. The main difference between a dining room and a breakfast nook is that a breakfast nook is smaller and less formal compared to a dining room.

What are the pros and cons of both?
Each dining option has its pros and cons. Here are some for both:
Breakfast Nook Pros
- Can do more than just eat
- Great space for children or families
- Cozy
- Cool design feature
Breakfast Nook Cons
- Can cramp your kitchen
- Can make your kitchen look messy
- Not great for entertaining guests
- Takes up valuable space
Dining Room Pros
- Can entertain many people
- Parties feel special since you separate the space from the kitchen
- Open feeling
Dining Room Cons
- The kitchen may not have enough space to hold a formal dining space
- Can be expensive for a whole set
- If you have a busy lifestyle, you may never use it
Which one should you go with?
Now the hardest decision is choosing which one (or both) to go with. And, honestly, it all depends on your wants, needs, space and lifestyle. If you like to throw parties or always have people around, a formal dining room would be the best option for you. If you like to have a cozy, family space where the kids can eat pancakes and do crafts, then a breakfast nook is the perfect space for you. For homes that like a mixture of both and have space, then having both will work out for you.
Do you want to upgrade your dining room, breakfast nook or even kitchen? Then, let one of our skilled remodelers at Valor Home Services help! Give us a call today to book an appointment or get an estimate.