Make the Most of a Kitchen-diner With Smart Seating
Cover all bases with hardworking seating options
Everyone likes to gather in the kitchen, but what’s the best way to provide a perch for all-comers? Plus, kitchen-diners fulfil many roles – from eating and entertaining to homework or just chilling out. So how do you cater for these varied functions? Check out these clever ideas.
Play the long game
There’s a straightforward approach to seating in this long, thin kitchen-diner. Options are limited in a galley-style kitchen, so this practical table is long rather than wide, mirroring the dimensions of the room. When catering for more guests, it’s easy to simply pull the table out from the wall into the centre of the room.
There’s a straightforward approach to seating in this long, thin kitchen-diner. Options are limited in a galley-style kitchen, so this practical table is long rather than wide, mirroring the dimensions of the room. When catering for more guests, it’s easy to simply pull the table out from the wall into the centre of the room.
Sink into a sofa
In a roomy kitchen-diner, the addition of a sofa really ups the sociable factor, adding a lounging area for family and friends (furry or otherwise…). The low, modular sofa complements the linear design of the kitchen units, while the mix of bench-seating and chairs keeps the look informal. The simple, unfussy lines allow the eye to be drawn through the room into the garden, helping to increase the feeling of light and space.
In a roomy kitchen-diner, the addition of a sofa really ups the sociable factor, adding a lounging area for family and friends (furry or otherwise…). The low, modular sofa complements the linear design of the kitchen units, while the mix of bench-seating and chairs keeps the look informal. The simple, unfussy lines allow the eye to be drawn through the room into the garden, helping to increase the feeling of light and space.
See right through
To stop seating overwhelming a kitchen-diner, go for transparency. Here, Perspex Victoria Ghost chairs and an elegant glass-topped table are teamed with a bench seat built against the wall to make the most of the available space.
To stop seating overwhelming a kitchen-diner, go for transparency. Here, Perspex Victoria Ghost chairs and an elegant glass-topped table are teamed with a bench seat built against the wall to make the most of the available space.
Unite with colour
The pale palette in this kitchen-diner helps to create a calm, relaxed feel, perfect for laid-back breakfasts and long, lazy lunches. Cushioned bench seating is covered in practical wipe-clean blue fabric, while the high chairs and dining chairs have been painted a paler shade of blue, similar to the kitchen units, to enhance the feeling of cohesion. This is a simple way of bringing together various pieces of furniture to give the whole room a unified look.
The pale palette in this kitchen-diner helps to create a calm, relaxed feel, perfect for laid-back breakfasts and long, lazy lunches. Cushioned bench seating is covered in practical wipe-clean blue fabric, while the high chairs and dining chairs have been painted a paler shade of blue, similar to the kitchen units, to enhance the feeling of cohesion. This is a simple way of bringing together various pieces of furniture to give the whole room a unified look.
Pick a corner
Extending bench seating round a corner creates a very sociable arrangement. Here, the seating is a continuation of a run of units, which utilises space that’s often left empty. Big plump cushions enhance the relaxed feeling, and the muted colours pick out the tones of the large painting. An extra row of stools under the island provides a breakfast bar area that can also double up for homework and admin, and the leather stool cushions match the practical leather bench cushion for added harmony.
Find out how to fit in a breakfast bar, whatever your space
Extending bench seating round a corner creates a very sociable arrangement. Here, the seating is a continuation of a run of units, which utilises space that’s often left empty. Big plump cushions enhance the relaxed feeling, and the muted colours pick out the tones of the large painting. An extra row of stools under the island provides a breakfast bar area that can also double up for homework and admin, and the leather stool cushions match the practical leather bench cushion for added harmony.
Find out how to fit in a breakfast bar, whatever your space
Stick together
If space allows, arranging furniture into separate zones for eating, socialising and working is a good way to make a kitchen-diner work hard. This is further helped by choosing furniture with a similar profile – here, the units, tables, chairs, sofas and coffee table are all boxy in shape, so the whole space looks well thought out.
If space allows, arranging furniture into separate zones for eating, socialising and working is a good way to make a kitchen-diner work hard. This is further helped by choosing furniture with a similar profile – here, the units, tables, chairs, sofas and coffee table are all boxy in shape, so the whole space looks well thought out.
Aim high
If you don't fancy an island in the kitchen, but like the idea of having another useful work surface the same height as your worktops, go for a taller-than-average table, as seen here. Height-adjustable stools work well with the rustic vibe, and they can be swivelled up or down to suit individual family members for mealtimes, then tucked away neatly under the table when not in use.
If you don't fancy an island in the kitchen, but like the idea of having another useful work surface the same height as your worktops, go for a taller-than-average table, as seen here. Height-adjustable stools work well with the rustic vibe, and they can be swivelled up or down to suit individual family members for mealtimes, then tucked away neatly under the table when not in use.
Cater to all
There’s something for everyone in this bright, welcoming kitchen. Wooden bar-stools at an island allow for essential chit-chat with the chef, while a dining table and chairs provide more formal seating for mealtimes. The table is also extendable, adding another layer of flexibility, and on sunny days, its position right next to the bifold doors means it can be easily lifted out into the garden – and just as quickly in again when the great British weather does its worst.
There’s something for everyone in this bright, welcoming kitchen. Wooden bar-stools at an island allow for essential chit-chat with the chef, while a dining table and chairs provide more formal seating for mealtimes. The table is also extendable, adding another layer of flexibility, and on sunny days, its position right next to the bifold doors means it can be easily lifted out into the garden – and just as quickly in again when the great British weather does its worst.
Ramp it up
Like the idea of an island with integrated seating, but don’t fancy perching on a bar-stool to eat? This cool design could be the answer. A workstation swoops down to form a dining area, removing the need for a separate table – perfect for those who like clean, uncluttered spaces – while simple chairs can be easily tucked underneath the futuristic-style dining surface.
Like the idea of an island with integrated seating, but don’t fancy perching on a bar-stool to eat? This cool design could be the answer. A workstation swoops down to form a dining area, removing the need for a separate table – perfect for those who like clean, uncluttered spaces – while simple chairs can be easily tucked underneath the futuristic-style dining surface.
Hide and seat
A bay window makes an ideal spot for bench seating, and here storage has been taken care of too. Comfy banquette seating fits snugly around a dark wooden table, while a genius pull-out draw under the bench provides secret storage for big dishes, pots, pans and all that other kitchen paraphernalia which isn’t used daily, but still needs a home.
A bay window makes an ideal spot for bench seating, and here storage has been taken care of too. Comfy banquette seating fits snugly around a dark wooden table, while a genius pull-out draw under the bench provides secret storage for big dishes, pots, pans and all that other kitchen paraphernalia which isn’t used daily, but still needs a home.
Slot in a seat
OK, it won’t seat very many (all right, just one), but this sweet spot is a canny use of space. In a lovely sunny position by the window, it would be a shame to give it over to something more practical – there’s always the takeaway, after all…
How have you planned the seating in your kitchen-diner? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
OK, it won’t seat very many (all right, just one), but this sweet spot is a canny use of space. In a lovely sunny position by the window, it would be a shame to give it over to something more practical – there’s always the takeaway, after all…
How have you planned the seating in your kitchen-diner? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Think you don’t have room for seating? Just look at this smart and stylish solution. Sharp corners and compact spaces don’t mix, so a curved table was picked to spare the bruises. And seating comes in the form of a cushioned bench, which has been angled to suit the table, plus two curvaceous chairs. It all adds up to a sociable and inviting space.
See more ways to fit in a kitchen table