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Comfy corner in new kitchen/family room?

7 years ago

Hi, last year we renovated our small 1920's house by knocking 3 tiny rooms into one nice sized kitchen/dining/general hang-out-all-the-time-space (a hallway, very small living room for TV, and toilet under the stairs are the only other spaces downstairs). We're delighted with the results and have loved living in the space - it really has changed our lives and is perfect day to day for our family.

But we messed up one thing in the planning - we didn't factor enough space for a social comfy corner for entertaining - esp as the living room doesn't work for that either. We'd love a corner sofa (but they all seem huge) or any configuration of soft seating for say 6 people, without having everyone sitting along one wall facing the same way! As you can see from the pics because of the 'walkway' at the side of the island its tricky and the shortest wall of the corner - facing the fireplace - is only 115cm which isn't big enough for even a chaise on a sofa. And we can't get seating on the other side of the fireplace because of the table. Nor facing the fireplace as it would be almost in the fire! As I said, a lack of planning!

So we probably need to think laterally about incorporating some seating which doesn't swamp the space, but are struggling to come up with anything! Except something bespoke which I'm sure we couldn't afford :-( would be great to hear any ideas, thanks! PS please ignore the Guineapig cage which will be moving soon...

The space above works really well, and below we love our grandmother clock and wood burner ... But is there a way we can make the space to the right of that have soft seating which can expand to 6 adults? Or are we trying for the impossible?!

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Comments (4)

minnie101
7 years ago
Hi. The room looks lovely. I'm not convinced you can fit seating for that many. Personally I'd swap 2 of the dining chairs against the wall for a banquette seat so you have additional comfy seating. I have attached a link to a company I found if you like that idea as they're not easy to find! I'd then have a small sofa where the cage is with an upholstered footstool in front of the burner. You may be able to angle a chair opposite the sofa, hard to tell if there's room. I would mark any seating out with masking tape or boxes as you don't want to overcrowd the space. Do add a rug to zone the seating space.

http://www.angelandboho.com/dining-banquettes--chairs-305-c.asp
Alf Ha thanked minnie101
Carolina
7 years ago
Hi, I wonder if there's enough space to turn the table around? So the short side is against the wall? That would free up space for a chair next to the fireplace. I'd put a sofa where the guinea pig now lives and get very comfy dining chairs that you can pull towards the seating area if you need more seating there.
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Alf Ha thanked Carolina
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Couldn’t you squeeze a compact armchair on the left of the radiator? A little table, a light, a plant and it could be your special place to seat in with a cup of coffee? It would be tricky to rethink the space now if the builders have started !! Ps: I love well thought special little corners in home, totally bespoke to your personal needs...
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Alf Ha
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you minnie101 and Carolina - all great ideas! We really had got hung up on not being able to have what we wanted and you've got us out of our rut. We're going to try moving the table this weekend, and getting out the masking tape. Love the banquette idea too - we'd wanted built-in benching originally but had to take out of scope (like many things!) but I actually prefer the banquettes - more grown-up and flexible. Thanks again :-)
PRO
Topology Interiors
7 years ago
Hi Alf,

I like what you've done with your room - great use of space. Where the guinea pig cage is you could definitely fit a seating area. I would suggest having a corner sofa piece (you can get smaller ones, and separate sections that you put together/can move around). Camerich have a good selection of these:

http://camerich.co.uk/range/sofas/clouds95224/small-narrow-sofa-section-right/

http://camerich.co.uk/range/sofas/clouds95224/small-narrow-sofa-section-left/

http://camerich.co.uk/range/sofas/clouds95224/small-narrow-armless-section/

A large square pouffe on wheels (see picture) would be ideal too because it's multifunctional in a small space - you can sit on it and use it as a coffee table (if you put a hard tray on top). I definitely recommend having it on wheels, so you can have more free space when you need it!

Amy from topology

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