How to place it correctly?
The dining area in the kitchen should not intersect with the work area, but it should be located in a bright, spacious place. There are several options for its placement, but first you should estimate how much free space you will need for convenient use of the dining area:
- The size of the table is determined simply: there should be 60 cm for each intended seated person. That is, to comfortably seat 4 people, you will need a rectangular table 120 cm long and 60 cm wide, a square 90 * 90 cm, a round one with a diameter of 1.1 m.
- The depth of the seat is 70 cm, in this position the chair is fully extended. That is, there should be at least 70 cm from the table to the wall, better – 90.
- The minimum width of the passage if the chair is pulled out towards the room is 55 cm (from the extended chair). This way, a person can pass behind the person sitting without disturbing him.
The photo shows an interior with a dining area in the country
Evaluate the size of your kitchen and proceed to choosing the location of the dining set:
- In the center. Only the lucky owners of large kitchens can afford to place the dining area with a table in this way. This is not only convenient, but also justified – when the set is located along the walls, the central part is empty, and the dining group will fill this gap. A kitchen island can also cope with a similar function, one side of which is used as a bar counter – this method will come in handy if there is a separate dining room in the house. The combination of a dining area with a U-shaped kitchen set looks impressive.
- Near the wall. This is a salvation for small kitchens or apartments, where such an arrangement is most advantageous – for example, in narrow or walk-through layouts. A rectangular dining table is pushed against the wall with the long side if the kitchen is narrow and you need to leave space for a passage, or the short side – if space allows and you need to seat more people.
- Near the window. The design of the dining area near the window opening in the kitchen is one of the most advantageous options. Firstly, it is light here. Secondly, during the meal you can look out the window instead of the TV. Thirdly, this layout solves the problem of irrational use of space.
- In the corner. By pushing the table into the corner, you will save space without losing capacity. Usually, a corner sofa is added to it, which allows you to seat more people than on chairs. An additional bonus is an increase in storage space due to the compartments in the couch. Also, a dining area in the corner is convenient in rooms up to 10 square meters, to remove the eating area as much as possible from the cooking area.
- In a niche. Any architectural features of the house can and should be used! For example, a kitchen sofa will fit comfortably in a niche, which will save space. The only downside is that the seat will have to be ordered according to individual dimensions.
- In a bay window. Having a bay window is a blue dream of many home and apartment owners! If you are lucky enough to have one in the kitchen, arrange a place for eating there. The main options for implementing the idea: a round table with chairs, or a sofa/seats along the perimeter of a window of any shape.
The photo shows a round table in the kitchen-living room
What furniture to choose?
The main components of the dining area are a table and chairs. The latter can be replaced with a sofa, armchairs, a couch. Despite the fact that there are two functional spaces in the kitchen, it is better for them to be connected. The connecting link is style, color, decorative elements, finishing materials.
- For a classic kitchen set, choose a dining area of a simple shape, a neutral shade. Or play on the contrast of colors, but add gold decorations to the chairs, similar to the decorations of the facades.
- For a white kitchen in a rustic style, a dining area with a simple round table covered with a tablecloth and wooden chairs will be a good match.
- For minimalist glossy cabinets in a modern style, choose a glass tabletop, fashionable plastic chairs.
- In an industrial loft design, a leather sofa, a slab tabletop, metal elements look appropriate.
The photo shows the dining area in the kitchen in the studio
The chairs can be absolutely anything – and it is not necessary to assemble a set of 4-6 identical items. You can put completely different models, also related to each other by style, shape or size.
The table, on the contrary, should be chosen carefully:
- Square. Saves space, it is good if, if necessary, it can be folded out to a rectangle. The correct shape allows a company of 4 people to sit comfortably. Inconvenient in narrow spaces.
- Rectangular. Universal, suitable for narrow, wide, small, large and even rooms of irregular shape. Conveniently placed against the wall to save space.
- Round. Does not have sharp corners, which makes the model safer. Compact, streamlined. But it is inconvenient to place it against a wall or in a corner, but it is perfect for placement in the center.
- Oval. It has all the advantages of a round one, but wins in size. It is suitable as a replacement for a rectangle.
Soft sofas are suitable instead of chairs. By shape, dining areas with a table are divided into 2 categories:
- Corner. The option of an L-shaped sofa with or without a back is the most versatile of all possible, suitable for zoning. Although sofas take up a lot of space compared to chairs, they are more spacious. This applies to the number of seats and the possibility of additional storage.
- Straight. Such a bench is simpler, cheaper, more compact. If you add 2-3 chairs to it, you can save the room space without losing seats.
The photo shows a minimalist design with a bar counter
How to highlight it beautifully?
The design of the dining area in the kitchen, which differs from the surrounding environment, allows you to add a designer twist to the interior. The most popular ways to highlight the dining area are wall or floor decoration.
The easiest option is to change the color of the walls, creating the right accent without unnecessary expenses. The main condition for the color scheme is contrast. In a light kitchen, dark or bright will attract attention, in a dark one – bright or light.
It is not necessary to use a single-color color scheme, take a closer look at prints or entire frescoes in the form of photo wallpaper. The right panoramic images will help to enlarge a small space.
It happens that the accent wall has a different texture. To do this, cover it with stone, tiles, slats, bricks, fabric, leather. Or create an eco-friendly phyto-wall with live culinary plants.
The photo shows a phyto-wall in the interior
The second fastest way to separate areas is a carpet on the floor. The main thing is that it is the right size – slightly larger than all the furniture that is located on it. The shape should repeat the shape of the tabletop.
At the renovation stage, you can lay two types of flooring: tiles in the cooking area and laminate in the dining area. Or choose 2 different colors of tiles, laminate.
How to organize lighting?
Light also helps to zone the space. But if this is not the goal, independent illumination of two areas is at least convenient – during a meal, you do not need such bright light as when cooking. Therefore, by turning it off, you will make the atmosphere more comfortable.
Three ways to organize lighting depending on the location and size of the table:
- Ceiling. Suitable for any dining area, but the number of lamps varies depending on the dimensions. Square/round table – one large lampshade, long rectangular/oval – 2-3.
- Wall. If the table is located in a corner or near one wall, place sconces or adjustable directional lamps above it.
- Floor. To avoid running wires, install a tall floor lamp with a long extension nearby.
Tip: Food will look more appetizing if there is a warm spectrum lamp above.
The photo shows a design in blue tones
What decor would be appropriate?
Highlight the wall without changing the lighting and decoration. The following are suitable as decor for the dining area:
- Paintings. Suitable images are abstractions, still lifes, landscapes.
- Photo gallery. Place photos with your family and friends.
- Clocks. Choose a proportional size.
- Plates. From different countries or decorative in the same style.
- Flowers. Attach the planter to the wall or ceiling.
The photo shows bright chairs and tableware
The tabletop itself is decorated with runners, napkins, flowers in vases, and beautiful dishes. Throw soft pillows on the sofa or chairs for decoration and coziness.
The photo shows the wall being decorated with plates
What to consider in a small kitchen?
In order to save space in a small area, abandon the traditional option in favor of a low bar counter or peninsula. They are convenient for both cooking and sitting.
The photo shows a bar counter with a table
If you do not have a dining area for a small kitchen, imagine without a table, use compact furniture. It is best to place it in a corner – a small bench will not take up much space, but will please with its capacity.
For narrow kitchen spaces in a Khrushchev-era building, refuse a sofa, put a long table along the wall and light chairs.
The photo shows a tabletop on a windowsill
