Kitchen/Diner layout advice

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi all. Just finished (almost) our kitchen extension. Next on the list is to continue the renovation into the breakfast room which adjoins it. At present we have the kitchen table in the kitchen but we are wondering if this should be its final resting place once the breakfast room is sorted.

If it stays where it is then it leaves the breakfast room empty...... The only thoughts we have is to put a sofa and fireside chairs in there. We already have 2 lounges so this will create a third (first world problems). My wife likes this idea, mainly as she thinks the kitchen table is best placed in the kitchen for ease of serving and clearing away plates. I see her point but am keen to avoid "the house of lounges". My thought is to move the kitchen table into the breakfast room thus kind of extending the kitchen and also having an informal dining room. I'd then put some sort of small sofa or chairs where the kitchen table currently is as a seating area.

I think deep down my wife has the right idea but I'm just keen to avoid another lounge.

Thoughts on layout are much appreciated even if it's something completely different.

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PRO

OnePlan

7 years ago

I wonder if you made the room a big, but beautiful, storage room - where you can keep vases, oversized platters or picnic ware, boxes of files, Halloween decorations, Christmas decorations, baskets of craft stuff, birthday cards and wrapping paper and a ‘re gifting ‘ box or two for emergency presents etc etc - have a mix of closed lower cabinets and open upper ones - to act as part display / part storage etc ... could be really a useful room !

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Comments (23)

999mark
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Was hoping to add several photos, can't seem to. Any ideas? Kitchen table is hidden behind fire place. I'm standing in the breakfast room to take the photo looking towards the kitchen.
rachelmidlands
7 years ago
Hi. You can add more photos in the comments under here. Kitchen looks really nice, I’d like to see more. Think it might be a shame to block the view of the log burner with a dining table so I too think a snug or multifunction space, desk, craft area etc. Perhaps you could use one of the other sitting rooms as a formal dining room? Hard to say without seeing more tho.
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Ellie
7 years ago
Bit late, but couldnt you have used this space as part of your new kitchen diner rather than just putting a new kitchen in an extension, it would have been much easier to make the rooms work and avoid any unused spaces?

Do you have any more pics as the one above doesnt really show you have much room for a table in the kitchen?
PRO
User
7 years ago
Post pics of the kitchen please
999mark
Original Author
7 years ago

Here is the kitchen looking from the fire place.
999mark
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Here is in the kitchen looking to the fireplace and the breakfast room through the 2 arches.
999mark
Original Author
7 years ago
And from further back. Thanks for the thoughts so far. Photos late coming due to issues trying to upload
999mark
Original Author
7 years ago
One more of the breakfast room. Back to fireplace
PRO
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I think you can get away with having a kitchen / diner and a proper formal dining room for entertaining, echoing the dark grey of the kitchen units

.
999mark thanked User
Gabby Wong
7 years ago
I think it really depends on how you live in the house.

You could have a smaller table for informal breakfasts/ when there's only a couple of you eating in the kitchen, near to everything, and then have a more formal larger dining area the other side of the fire when you want more space / +/- want to keep more of the kitchen mess hidden from view.

I wonder which would be less likely to become an unused space, an extra dining room or an extra living room? (or would you end up using this more and the others less?)

Otherwise what else would you use it for?

Turning it into more of a library? or a music room? or another hobby room? Art room? world's your oyster when you've got the extra rooms I guess!
999mark thanked Gabby Wong
Sal89
7 years ago
Hi, I absolutely agree with you about the 3 lounges as we had the same issue, we have a room in a similar space to yours that will be the formal dining area and I am having sofas in the kitchen instead. We will have stools and breakfast bar in kitchen for kids etc. We went with this as it worked better for us as so when my husbands friends are here they can dine in the formal area rather than be in my way in the kitchen and sofa area (where kids will be). So I think you should go for what will work for you more as a family. Looking at the pics I would say your table goes very nicely with your kitchen and the “breakfast room” would be very cosy with some sofas in there. Sometimes these “extra” rooms are the ones that become the most functional. If you have children even a little play area/sofas would be nice. Also think it flows better as then prepare, serve, and then relax rather than back and forth.
999mark thanked Sal89
999mark
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks all for your comments. Pretty much 6 of one, half a dozen of the other but interesting points none the less. In fact it’s made me think more about the main question: what would get used most? I also like the idea of thinking about a totally different use..... library..... music room...... just need some books and a sound system!

with the endless work needing doing on this project house, a workshop would get most use..... not sure how well that would go down.
Ellie
7 years ago
Now on seeing the pics, the space in kitchen is fab and I think the table us great there in the kitchen. If the table wasn't there it would look bare! Use it for what you need space for?

I wouldn't have it as another dining space, it would be too much hard work walking back n forward with plates, spoons, cups, sauce, tissue for spills, teatowel, cloth, drink, then all over again to clear it all up. . . . we always eat at our big table as a family for breakfast and dinner
999mark thanked Ellie
Rosie G
7 years ago
I agree with your wife, the kitchen table lifestyle is most convenient. I don’t entertain very formally though, my friends are all comfy in the kitchen.

If it were mine, I’d be making the breakfast room space into a craft room! I make jewellery though and being near water is handy when I’ve been soldering. What other use could you put in there? What about a home study area handily near the coffee machine for you, and near the snacks for the kids, if you have them?
999mark thanked Rosie G
999mark
Original Author
7 years ago
Great suggestions. These really help me to consolidate and move forward with thoughts.

So far I agree another dining room is out. Getting more used to the idea of the kitchen being the best place for the table. This leaves me with some narrowed down options of a lounge/snug or another use room.
minnie101
7 years ago
There's obviously not a right or wrong answer as it's how you will use the space Personally. If it was mine I would put a bookcase on the back ŵall With some wall lights. Then I'd have a couple of armchairs with a table for board games, crossword, coffee/drinks etc and hopefully there would be room for the all important cocktail trolley and a footstool to put your feet up :) I agree the table works in the kitchen however given you've got a tv just wondering if the dining chairs are comfortable? I might swap them if not. Great space btw :)
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999mark
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Like that idea Minnie. And no, the chairs to the table aren’t comfortable. They are going to be replaced sometime.
Jemma Todd
7 years ago
I would definitely go for a home office/ library if it was mine. I’d love a place for all the paperwork I accumulate! It’s a beautiful job you have done.
999mark thanked Jemma Todd
999mark
Original Author
7 years ago
Think I’m leaning towards a library room type affair. Loads on pics online. Similar to this.
Gabby Wong
7 years ago
That'll look amazing... would love a room with a real fire to be able to curl up in front of!
999mark thanked Gabby Wong
maya
7 years ago
I’d have a library/homework room there with a desk with computer for the kids, convenient to keep an eye on them while you make dinner. I’d also have an armchair near the fire for cozy reading and consulting recipes.
999mark thanked maya
PRO
Lomuarredi Ltd
7 years ago
I would leave the table in the kitchen. In the room with the fireplace I suggest you to insert poufs and two armchairs, they are comfortable and non-invasive and they can furnish the room with an elegant and minimalist style.

Examples of poufs

More info

Examples of armchairs that can be transformed in lounge chairs.

More info
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