Quick answer: The best breakfast nook ideas for a small Canadian kitchen start with a mirror hung on the wall behind the bench or banquette. Choose a mirror about two-thirds the width of the bench, hang its bottom edge 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in) above the top of the backrest so heads never touch the frame, and fix it into studs or rated anchors because people sit right below it. A 32 x 20 in (81 x 51 cm) arched mirror suits a 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) bench; a 48 x 28 in (122 x 71 cm) mirror suits a 140 to 180 cm (55 to 70 in) banquette. Keep it out of the line of stove splatter and kettle steam so it stays easy to clean.
From November to February, the breakfast nook is where a lot of Canadian mornings happen: coffee before the commute, homework at the kitchen table, Boxing Day brunch with the cousins. It is also, in many homes and condos, the darkest corner of the kitchen. By late December, sunrise is close to 8 a.m. in much of southern Canada, so the nook often starts the day under the light fixture. A well-placed mirror bounces whatever daylight comes through the window back across the table, makes a tucked-away corner feel twice as wide and gives a small kitchen the look of an extra window. Here is how to size, place and hang one.
Can You Put a Mirror in a Kitchen or Breakfast Nook?
Yes. A mirror is one of the most useful breakfast nook ideas for a small space, as long as you choose the right wall. The nook or eating area is the best place for a mirror in a kitchen because it is away from the main cooking zone. Avoid hanging a mirror directly behind or beside the cooktop, where grease spatter will build up on the glass, and avoid the wall right above the kettle or coffee maker, where steam leaves marks. The wall behind a banquette, bench or table is ideal.
Where to Put a Mirror in a Breakfast Nook
Behind the banquette or bench
This is the classic spot. The mirror becomes the focal point of the nook, it is centred over the table and it reflects the rest of the kitchen, which makes a built-in corner feel open rather than boxed in.
Opposite or beside the window
For the most light, hang the mirror on a wall that faces or sits at a right angle to the window. It will catch low winter sun and reflect the snowy view back into the room. Avoid placing it directly opposite a window that faces a neighbour's wall or a parking lot; the mirror will double that view too.
On the end wall of a galley or condo kitchen
In many condos the "nook" is a small table pushed against the end wall of the kitchen. A tall arched mirror on that end wall stretches the room visually and makes the table feel like a proper dining spot.
Breakfast Nook Mirror Size Guide
| Mirror size (H x W) | Best bench or table width | Minimum ceiling height | Best nook type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 x 20 in (81 x 51 cm) | 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) bench, or a 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 in) round table | 2.3 m (7.5 ft) | Small condo nook, corner bench, bistro table against a wall |
| 48 x 28 in (122 x 71 cm) | 140 to 180 cm (55 to 70 in) banquette or a table for four | 2.4 m (8 ft), with a backrest no higher than about 86 cm (34 in) | Built-in banquette, L-shaped corner bench, family kitchen |
| Pair of 32 x 20 in (81 x 51 cm) | 180 to 240 cm (70 to 95 in) long bench | 2.3 m (7.5 ft) | Long window-seat bench or a bench under two windows |
| 64 x 30 in (163 x 76 cm) | End wall beside the table rather than above the bench | 2.6 m (8.5 ft) | Open-concept kitchen with a tall, clear end wall |
As a rule of thumb, aim for a mirror that is about two-thirds the width of the bench below it, and leave at least 15 cm (6 in) of wall on each side so the nook does not feel crowded.
How High to Hang a Mirror Above a Banquette
Most banquettes have a seat about 46 cm (18 in) off the floor and a backrest that finishes between 80 and 90 cm (31 and 35 in). Use these steps:
- Measure the top of the backrest or cushions. Include any loose back cushions, since they add height.
- Add 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in). That is where the bottom of the mirror goes. It keeps the frame above seated heads and stops people leaning back into it.
- Check the ceiling. Leave at least 15 cm (6 in) between the top of the arch and the ceiling. With a 2.4 m (8 ft) ceiling and an 86 cm (34 in) backrest, a 48 x 28 in mirror hung 15 cm above the backrest finishes about 2.2 m (88 in) from the floor, which fits comfortably.
- Centre it on the table, not the wall. In a corner nook, the table is the visual anchor, so line the middle of the mirror up with the middle of the table.
For a table pushed against the wall with chairs instead of a bench, hang the mirror so its bottom edge sits about 30 cm (12 in) above the tabletop.
Hang It Securely: People Sit Right Below It
A mirror above seating needs to be fixed properly. Screw the hanging hardware into wall studs where you can, or use heavy-duty drywall anchors rated well above the mirror's weight. Condo walls are often steel stud or concrete, so check what is behind the drywall before you drill and follow your building's rules. Hang larger mirrors with two people, and never rely on adhesive strips or a single nail above a bench.
Styling Ideas for a Bright Winter Breakfast Nook
- Light, warm materials. White oak, cream cushions and a linen or wool throw on the bench keep the corner bright while the mirror's black frame adds contrast.
- One pendant, offset. Hang a pendant over the centre of the table, not in front of the mirror, so the glass reflects its glow without the cord cutting across the arch.
- A simple centrepiece. A bowl of clementines, a small plant or a candle in a hurricane glass looks twice as generous when it is reflected.
- Seasonal touches. For the holidays, a slim garland along the top of the arch or a sprig of cedar tucked behind the frame is enough. Keep the glass clear so it keeps working for light.
- Warm bulbs. On dark mornings, a 2700K bulb reflected in the mirror makes the nook feel cosy rather than clinical.
Hosting a bigger crowd this season? Our guide to dining room mirror ideas for holiday hosting covers sizing for longer tables and sideboards.
Our Picks for a Breakfast Nook
For a compact condo nook or a corner bench, the 32 x 20 in (81 x 51 cm) black arched windowpane mirror is the right scale and is easy for one person to hold in place while another fixes it. You can also see it up close on our 32 x 20 arched mirror product page.
For a full banquette or a family table, the 48 x 28 in (122 x 71 cm) black arched windowpane mirror gives the nook a real focal point and reflects more of the kitchen and window. Both have a matte black metal frame with a fan-spoke arch, 3 mm tempered glass, a 1-year frame warranty and free delivery across Canada.
Keeping a Kitchen Mirror Clean
Kitchen mirrors pick up fingerprints and the odd splash more than mirrors elsewhere in the house. Spray glass cleaner onto a microfibre cloth rather than straight onto the mirror, so liquid does not run behind the frame, then wipe the frame with a dry or slightly damp cloth. A quick wipe once a week keeps it bright.
The Short Version
A mirror is one of the easiest breakfast nook ideas for a small Canadian kitchen. Hang it behind the bench or banquette, away from the stove and kettle, at about two-thirds the bench width, with its bottom edge 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in) above the backrest and at least 15 cm below the ceiling. Choose a 32 x 20 in (81 x 51 cm) mirror for a small nook or condo table and a 48 x 28 in (122 x 71 cm) mirror for a full banquette, fix it into studs or rated anchors, and let it bounce the winter light across the table.
About this guide: written by the Salkala Decor team using widely used interior design and kitchen planning guidelines and the published dimensions of our own mirrors. Measurements are rounded for planning; always check your own walls, fixings and building or condo rules before installing.
