Cozy Dining Nooks Inspired by Serena & Lily

For Sunday favorites with Mary Ann and Cindy, I thought I would share a few cozy dining nooks inspired by Serena & Lily. As we plan our next move, I am hoping we can carve out a tiny dining nook in our future New York City apartment. 

We plan to keep our dining table for larger family get-togethers, but a cozy nook in the kitchen has always been my favorite space in a house. We had the perfect spot in our New Canaan kitchen for a corner bench and our Saarinen table.

What I love about banquette seating is that there’s always room for one (or two) more. You can really squeeze in more kids if needed. Unlike with chairs, there’s only so much room for chairs, and a chair can hold just one.  A bench says, “We have room for you.”

What makes it a banquette?

A true nook or banquette isn’t just about built-in seating (though I do adore that tucked-away feeling); it’s about creating a sense of enclosure and comfort. Upholstered cushions, layered textiles, a round or pedestal table that invites conversation, and lighting that feels warm rather than bright all play a part. When a space feels slightly set apart, it becomes its own little destination within the home. A banquette, especially, has a way of making everyday moments feel special. 

Serena & Lily offers Perennials Fabrics that are very durable and can be easily spot cleaned, making them the perfect upholstery for bench or banquette seating. 

A round pedestal table is ideal for a nook

In most cases, a dining nook is small. By definition, it is a small, cozy corner or recessed space.  It’s like making a space work, and part of that is by choosing the right furniture. 

A round pedestal table frees up space. Our Saarinen table is 42″ in diameter, but the tops are available in 35″, which might fit better in an apartment. Having a pedestal base rather than four legs frees up space for chairs, and the table can be pushed into the corner as needed!

Serena & Lily Table & Chair Options + SALE

Carter Chairs (Black, Mushroom, Paprika, Parsley) // Sunwashed Riviera & Southhampton Bistro Set // Riviera Rattan Bistro Stripe // The Kitchen Table // Riviera Rattan Dining Chair // Wainscott Table // Ross Dining Bench // Sunwashed Riviera Chair

For a cozy banquette corner, smaller-scale chairs with rounded or curved edges are a better choice than larger-scale chairs with a more square seat.

My favorite chairs are the Carter chair in 11 gorgeous colors. I have a similar version that Serena & Lily used to sell by the same manufacturer. They are called the Salt chair at DWR, and are available in nine colors.

Another wonderful small-scale chair is the Riviera chair, available in several different colors and finishes. They are very comfortable.

From the Serena & Lily catalog

Left: Belgian Club Love Seat // Southampton Bistro Table // Darien Dining Chair Right: Ross Pleated Dining Bench // Southampton Bistro Table // Riviera Basketweave Dining Chair

More Presidents’ Day Sales worth mentioning:

Serena & Lily – as mentioned above, 20% off everything!

My favorites from Serena & Lily include the Como Petite Lamp, and the Shore Bench. Mary Ann and I both have one!

McGee & Co. – up to 25% off

This Kelby Glass Vase is perfect for spring forced branches like forsythia, quince, or magnolia. And how adorable is this petite glazed berry colander? It would make a lovely host gift.

J. Crew – 30% off almost everything

I like this Oversized Boyfriend T-shirt. I ordered every neutral color in this New Perfect Fit High-Neck Tank Top. I have one, and it’s the perfect layering piece under almost everything. And the perfect Beach Pant with Lace Trim that I plan to wear with my favorite denim button-down for pool/beach coverup.

What I’m reading: Theo of Golden

My brother told me about this book quite a while ago, but there was no audiobook until December 2, 2025. And I have to be honest, I really only listen to books these days. So when I discovered that there was an audiobook for Theo of Golden, I immediately downloaded it. If you have not already read this book, just know it will fill your heart. It’s a book we all need right now. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you add it to your TBR list!

Let’s check in with Mary Ann and Cindy!

Classic Casual Home

Read Mary Ann’s Sunday post here.

Cindy Hattersely Design

Read Cindy’s Sunday post here.