These days, kitchen islands dominate our kitchen ideas with breakfast bars as essential tools for eating, socializing, and lounging. Unlike these multi-focal kitchen pioneers, who may have an island, a breakfast bar, and even a living space, dining kitchens feature the dining table as a central focal point. These simple kitchen design ideas go back to the concept of having the whole family around a table which may have been used for a lot of prep work as well.
“The kitchen table is just one of those pieces that add something extra to a room and take it from just a kitchen to a place that includes all the good in family life,” says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. (Opens in a new tab).
Gatherings around the kitchen table are becoming more and more relevant in our lives today, an old habit that sadly faded as technology and busy life took over – but they’re back. Word On the table Truly summarizing deVOL cuisine, it’s that time after a meal when you just stay and don’t leave the table, a Spanish word that evokes more than just eating but enjoying the company of others in the simplest of ways.
Eat in the kitchen ideas
Be inspired by these kitchen ideas – foolproof examples of how to turn a kitchen into a place to cook and eat together.
1. Double seated
(Image credit: Harvey Jones)
Large kitchens equal more seating and dining options. So why not have it all: kitchen island ideas with bar stools for casual dining or a quick coffee, and a separate freestanding table and chairs for banquet and meeting seating.
“We like to add a very functional island and complement it with tables and chairs to match a nearby space, says Simone Allen, lead kitchen designer at California-based Mod Cabinetry. (Opens in a new tab). This way, while cooking or painting, your guests are nearby and part of the action, but in their own space. In addition to integrating the space and people, you’ll want to incorporate the look by carefully choosing materials that coordinate everything together.
2. Press on a table for two
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
For smaller families—or those with a separate dining room—try to squeeze a small dining area into the centerpiece of the kitchen. Cut a set of low-slung, built-in cabinetry with a sleek, round dining table and colorful chairs. Maximum bench seat with kitchen storage underneath. If space is really at a premium, invest in foldable or moveable furniture that can be taken out when needed.
“Make use of the space by the window for a cute look and lots of natural light when dining,” says Joanne Gere, interior design expert at Housetastic. (Opens in a new tab). “You can either choose a small table by the window if you have limited space or opt for a built-in style.”
This may mean compromising your design by placing the sink against an interior wall, but sometimes sitting and eating takes priority.
3. Redundant angle enlargement
(Image credit: Martin Moore)
Banquette bench ideas are perfect for space saving dining kitchens, with L shaped banquettes a clever way to take advantage of a surplus corner really useful while positioning it in a cozy dining spot.
Update the banquette in durable, luxurious fabric – look for the new generation of durable, erasable velvet to add an extra touch of color and touch to the scheme. Pair it with a table and a couple of occasional kitchen dining chairs that will be well used and loved for many different occasions at every time of the day.
In general, banquettes gravitate towards corners; says Richard Moore, Director of Design at Martin Moore (Opens in a new tab). “This design has a social feel, blending the kitchen’s cooking and dining areas.”
4. Play with style
(Photo credit: Kibler & Kirch / Gibeon Photography)
Indoor kitchens require durable, erasable furniture and fabrics; Instead, consider upholstery with a busy pattern that doesn’t show as much stains and scratches as it normally would.
Sharon L. Sherman of Thyme & Place Design explains: “Use high-quality fabrics for chairs so food and liquid stains are not an issue. (Opens in a new tab). “You can also have some fun with furniture style: Dining room furniture can be more formal, but you can take a lighter approach in the kitchen and even use mismatched chairs to give your design feel.”
Don’t forget comfort when it comes to choosing kitchen chairs – comfortable seating encourages guests to relax and enjoy the entire dining experience.
In this Montana home, the tiled floor continues the light-flooded kitchen space where Jeremiah Young, owner and creative director of Kibler & Kirch resides. (Opens in a new tab)Made of ceramic tiles with a stylized flower design.
“It’s one of many floral and botanical prints around the house,” Young adds. “Above the tiles, the classic Saarinen Tulip table offers curves to offset the room’s straight lines.”
5. Smoothing straight lines with curves
(Image credit: Havwoods)
Break up the kitchen’s hard lines by introducing a curved dining table. Oval or round table, without corners, provides a good flow of space and more space for people to get in and out of their seats. Round tables have smaller footprints than rectangular tables; It’s also easier to squeeze an extra guest around a curved contour. There is something very social about a curved dining table and guests can chat more easily with more people, not just those sitting on either side or opposite them.
“A round table in the kitchen helps create a sense of familiarity with a small group of people,” says Alice Choi. (Opens in a new tab) Interior designer from San Francisco. It also makes better use of space in a more compact area and allows more space for people to move around the seats. The round table is ideal for families with small children because there are no sharp corners; I always recommend round tables with a pedestal base that allows more legroom under them.
6. Mix and match antique treasures
(Image credit: deVOL)
In this coastal cottage, dining, socializing, and relaxation are high on the agenda, so any dining area should be centrally located on the property and comfortable.
“This cottage kitchen is full of character and charm with its mouth-watering colors and a casual air of sophistication,” says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL. “We wanted a big kitchen in a little cottage, we wanted to eat and sit and prepare, we wanted some vintage and we wanted simplicity and charm.”
The mix and match mood includes a vintage prep table on wheels, painted in a refined shade of green, along with an antique dining table and chairs. The result provides effortlessly charming low-level cooling with the free-standing central prep and dining area that is the star of the room.
Clean up flea markets, second-hand stores, and vintage sales for similar tables – leave them bare and unfinished or recycle a new color for a fresh look.
7. Get the right proportions for the dining table
(Photo credit: Drew Forsyth)
It is important that the kitchen in which dining is located has enough space for a table and chairs, otherwise everyday dining experiences will be uncomfortable.
“The dining kitchen requires more space than one might expect, in and around the dining area,” says kitchen designer Susan Serra. (Opens in a new tab). Often times, kitchen design gets all the attention as the dining area becomes an afterthought. The size and shape of the table is critical and depends on the number of people in the family and the size of the kitchen.
Allow at least 24 inches of table space per person as a general rule, leaving space between the table and the wall behind, at least 36 inches — or 48 inches if the area needs to accommodate passing traffic as people pass through the table.
“Play with table shapes and sizes on the scaled graphics, then compare one graphic to another to visualize the size needed against the traffic flow around it,” Serra adds. Beware of planning a table that is large and has enough space around it. It’s inconvenient when one feels trapped on a table with little room to move around, so err on the side of more space.
8. Choose a heavy duty farm table
(Image credit: Future/Emma Lee/Sally Denning)
One popular solution that Sharon L. Sherman of Thyme & Place Design says is to recreate the look of a modern farmhouse using a table like an island. It also provides a double function for the table as it can be used as a heavy duty surface for food preparation and baking as well as a dining area.
9. Fits the breakfast nook
(Photo credit: Tom Hawley)
Curved booth seating is the perfect solution for casual dining or brunch.
“The kitchen breakfast nooks are perfect for a small kitchen,” says Bianca Trembly, CEO of The Best of Calgary. It will be easier for you and your family to sit in the breakfast nook and get eggs, cereal, or whatever you want. No need to spoil the dining table for a simple morning meal. The space is small, so cleanup is quick and you can keep the dining table for larger family meals.
Unlike breakfast bar ideas, breakfast nooks offer more space and a more social feel.
10. Replace an island with a table
(Photo credit: Indoor Fox/Veronica Rodriguez)
This tiny kitchen in a London apartment proves that island units aren’t the only dining solution where space is tight.
Explains Jane & Mar, founders of Interior Fox (Opens in a new tab). To complement the room’s black accents, we chose the Perch & Parrow black marble table as a true masterpiece. Then we sealed the top with a protector to prevent any stains, giving the homeowner peace of mind.
What counts as an eating kitchen?
An eating kitchen is a separate room that includes not only cooking equipment and food storage (i.e. the kitchen) but a dining table and chairs as well. It differs from the open plan kitchen and catering which basically consists of two rooms spread over a wider area either by demolishing the walls or reconfiguring a large area. Kitchen dine-in kitchens literally mean the following: an area or dining table within the centerpiece of the kitchen where family and friends can gather together.
Do you need a dining room if you have a kitchen to eat in?
Whether you need a separate dining room to a kitchen you can eat in is largely down to personal preferences, the dimensions of your property, and the size of your family. Do you have a large family that can’t accommodate the dining area in your kitchen at the same time? Want to give up a second living room and turn it into a dining space? Are there walls that you can tear down to create an open kitchen and dining room instead? If you’re planning a completely new kitchen renovation or layout, talk to a kitchen specialist, architect, and builder who can suggest several dining solutions for your needs.