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6 Dining Zone Challenges and How to Solve Them
Take a look at these creative ways designers have incorporated a dining area into a kitchen
If you’d like to include an area for shared meals in your kitchen, there are various issues that can scupper your plans – a lack of space or an awkwardly shaped room being just two of them. Read on to discover six challenges you might come up against and find out how design professionals have cleverly solved them.
2. What if I don’t have space for a standard dining table?
Squeezing a typical table into your kitchen could prove tricky if space is tight. In this room designed by Pier Ferraro of Venta Construction, a protruding eating zone would have impeded movement around the cooking area.
If you’ve come across a problem like this, it might be worth investing in a custom-made piece. The narrow veneered table and bench here were made for the space. “The couple showed us a picture of something they’d seen online,” Pier says, “and we found a really good joiner to recreate it for them.”
See the rest of this beautiful period flat.
Make the challenge of finding the right people for your project easier by searching the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Squeezing a typical table into your kitchen could prove tricky if space is tight. In this room designed by Pier Ferraro of Venta Construction, a protruding eating zone would have impeded movement around the cooking area.
If you’ve come across a problem like this, it might be worth investing in a custom-made piece. The narrow veneered table and bench here were made for the space. “The couple showed us a picture of something they’d seen online,” Pier says, “and we found a really good joiner to recreate it for them.”
See the rest of this beautiful period flat.
Make the challenge of finding the right people for your project easier by searching the Houzz Professionals Directory.
3. Any options for my tiny galley kitchen?
If you’d like to turn a galley cooking zone into a kitchen-diner, some structural alterations could be the solution. There used to be a wall between the kitchen and living room in this flat, but designer Omar Bhatti of Space Shack removed it.
He then positioned a stylish dining table at the opening, with easy access from the kitchen.
As the kitchen is now on show from the living room, Omar added a few touches to make it blend in. The waterfall worktops, for example, look attractive from the dining area, while walnut shelves soften the transition between the two spaces.
See more of this small city flat.
If you’d like to turn a galley cooking zone into a kitchen-diner, some structural alterations could be the solution. There used to be a wall between the kitchen and living room in this flat, but designer Omar Bhatti of Space Shack removed it.
He then positioned a stylish dining table at the opening, with easy access from the kitchen.
As the kitchen is now on show from the living room, Omar added a few touches to make it blend in. The waterfall worktops, for example, look attractive from the dining area, while walnut shelves soften the transition between the two spaces.
See more of this small city flat.
4. How do I fit more diners around my table?
A common issue in a smaller space is the inability to accommodate more than a handful of dining guests. The answer? A versatile bench seat, like the one in this kitchen designed by Jo Shore.
Jo made use of the space below the window to build a generous banquette seating area, which provides more flexible room than chairs.
Another space-saving bonus of bench seats is that they can double up as storage – this one has hinged seats for stashing outdoor cushions.
Take a tour of this stylish vintage cottage.
A common issue in a smaller space is the inability to accommodate more than a handful of dining guests. The answer? A versatile bench seat, like the one in this kitchen designed by Jo Shore.
Jo made use of the space below the window to build a generous banquette seating area, which provides more flexible room than chairs.
Another space-saving bonus of bench seats is that they can double up as storage – this one has hinged seats for stashing outdoor cushions.
Take a tour of this stylish vintage cottage.
5. How can I position my table when my walls are wonky?
The table in this kitchen is positioned directly opposite the cabinetry. For visual harmony, it was best if the cabinets and table were parallel to each other, but that was tricky, as the wall behind tapers inwards towards the back door, following the boundary line.
The bench seating provided a way around this, however. George Woodrow of Woodrow Vizor Architects designed it with a tapered seat, which corrects the slanting angle and helps align the dining area with the kitchen.
Find out how this Edwardian terrace was extended.
The table in this kitchen is positioned directly opposite the cabinetry. For visual harmony, it was best if the cabinets and table were parallel to each other, but that was tricky, as the wall behind tapers inwards towards the back door, following the boundary line.
The bench seating provided a way around this, however. George Woodrow of Woodrow Vizor Architects designed it with a tapered seat, which corrects the slanting angle and helps align the dining area with the kitchen.
Find out how this Edwardian terrace was extended.
6. Can I really fit a table into my multi-use living space?
If your open-plan kitchen and living room isn’t huge, it can be tempting to leave out a dining table completely. If this is your challenge, there might be a way to have all options.
In this flat, designer Bhavin Taylor created three zones. The kitchen is tucked neatly at the rear, its pale grey, flat-fronted cabinets receding into the background. The dining area sits between the cooking zone and the exuberantly designed living space.
Bhavin chose a circular table, which takes up less space. The walnut finish ties in with the warm tones in the living room, while the pale grey chairs help it blend with the kitchen behind.
Discover the bold design in this stylish apartment.
Tell us…
Which one of these solutions might work in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
If your open-plan kitchen and living room isn’t huge, it can be tempting to leave out a dining table completely. If this is your challenge, there might be a way to have all options.
In this flat, designer Bhavin Taylor created three zones. The kitchen is tucked neatly at the rear, its pale grey, flat-fronted cabinets receding into the background. The dining area sits between the cooking zone and the exuberantly designed living space.
Bhavin chose a circular table, which takes up less space. The walnut finish ties in with the warm tones in the living room, while the pale grey chairs help it blend with the kitchen behind.
Discover the bold design in this stylish apartment.
Tell us…
Which one of these solutions might work in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
If you’re keen to make your dining area feel cosier than the functional kitchen zone, this solution might help.
Designer Nicky Percival created an eating area near the patio doors in this contemporary kitchen and used shape and colour to define it. While the cooking area is sleek and straight-edged, the dining table and bench seat are circular. This is mirrored on the island – the worktop on the cooking side is straight, while on the dining side it’s curved.
Colourful cushions and accessories add even more cosy character to the seating area and contrast with the more muted tones of the kitchen cabinets and worktops.
Take a look around this light, airy kitchen.