Getting the position of your dining area right can unlock space, improve flow, ease the pressure on a multi-functional room, and might even provide bonus storage. A lot will depend on the size and shape of your room, of course, but scroll down to see some of the ways Houzz designers have tackled the issue.
Employ the back of a peninsula
When space is tight, this arrangement, designed by , is a great way to make the most of a kitchen-diner. By pushing the dining area right up to the back of the kitchen units like this, with a fixed bench for seating, there’s far less space required to comfortably seat six to eight people.
The bench also provides a useful opportunity to boost storage; this design features drawers in the base and, at the left hand end (not visible here – but you can click on the photo and then onto ‘Other photos in this project’ to see it), there’s a small wine rack built in.
If you’re also trying to fit a living area into your kitchen-diner, this idea might lend that the necessary space, too.
Zulufish
Push it up against a wall
This is a good way to site a dining table near the window or glazed doors while still allowing views of the garden from the kitchen area.
As with the arrangement in the last image, in this family kitchen, renovated by Zulufish, a dining bench is key to fitting in a good-size table without it taking up too much room, but this time it’s against the side wall. This visually extends the length of the room, too.
Because of the space-saving position of the table, there’s valuable room for a shelving unit to store toys and house a television on the opposite wall, too.
See more of this period townhouse reconfigured for family life.
Scenario Architecture
Slide it away
A pull-out dining table could be the answer to more kitchen floor space and an uncluttered finish. Here, Scenario Architecture were working with homeowners for whom a sense of spaciousness was important.
Being able to tuck away the table when it isn’t in use – it slides neatly beneath the island – is a tidy way to go. Equally, it doubles the work surface when required.
Sarah Ross Design
Share a window view with a slim island
When a kitchen is extended, it can be a conundrum deciding what to put at the lightest end of the room with the best views of the garden. If it’s desirable – or necessary due to available space – to have the functional part of the kitchen at this end, perhaps giving the sink a verdant outlook, then where does the dining table go?
If you want to have comparable views while eating, this design, by Sarah Ross, is one solution – a skinny island meant she could also slot in a small table near the glazed doors.
E2 Architecture + Interiors Ltd
Design an extension around it
When Sam Cooper of E2 Architecture + Interiors came to redesign his own east London Victorian maisonette, he designed a small extension that would serve as a standalone dining area, connected yet distinct from the kitchen.
When guests come over, they can enjoy feeling surrounded by the greenery of the garden (especially when the doors are open). They are also tucked away from the main cooking action – so less of an audience for the chef.
Take the full tour of this modest extension that transformed a Victorian maisonette.
EMR Architecture
Build in flexibility
For many, being able to enjoy the garden from the kitchen table is paramount and, in this case, positioning the dining area horizontally to glazed doors might be the best option. This can also give a sense of dining outside if the doors are opened up on warmer days.
However, it’s worth building in some flexibility. In this layout by EMR Architecture, the bench on the left means the table can be turned and pushed close to the wall if more space by the doors is required.
Where a dining spot is moveable like this, ensure you have equally flexible lighting designed in to service it.
Huntsmore
Switch the layout to make use of a bay
Kitchen-diners are often at the back of a house, but sometimes it makes sense to position this dual-purpose room at the front. If the space has a bay window, as in this project by Huntsmore, those precious extra inches can make all the difference for squeezing in a dining spot.
The alcove next to that impressive fireplace provides a good spot for an antique dresser, which could be handy for storing plates, napkins and so on.
Find local contractors to help with your renovation in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Roselind Wilson Design
Here, designer Roselind Wilson has maximised a bay by building a dramatically upholstered banquette to follow the curve of the window and table, providing space for plenty of dining guests and tucking the table in even more.
Tell us…
Which of these layouts might work in your kitchen-diner? Share your thoughts and let us know about your renovation plans in the Comments.
