Where Should I Put the Table in My Kitchen-Diner?
Tucked in a bay, near the bench, against a wall – here are the possibilities for your table, as these UK designers show
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.
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 in London, UK, renovated by Zulufish, a banquette is key to fitting in a good-sized 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 as well.
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 in London, UK, renovated by Zulufish, a banquette is key to fitting in a good-sized 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 as well.
Slide it away
A pull-out dining table could be the answer to more kitchen floor space and an uncluttered finish. In this London kitchen, Scenario Architecture was 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.
Redesigning your kitchen? Find a kitchen designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
A pull-out dining table could be the answer to more kitchen floor space and an uncluttered finish. In this London kitchen, Scenario Architecture was 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.
Redesigning your kitchen? Find a kitchen designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
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. It may be desirable – or necessary due to available space – to have the functional part of the kitchen at this end. But if you give the sink a verdant outlook, then where will your dining table go?
If you want to have comparable views while eating, this London kitchen by Sarah Ross Design is one solution – a skinny island meant she could also slot in a small table near the glazed doors.
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. It may be desirable – or necessary due to available space – to have the functional part of the kitchen at this end. But if you give the sink a verdant outlook, then where will your dining table go?
If you want to have comparable views while eating, this London kitchen by Sarah Ross Design is one solution – a skinny island meant she could also slot in a small table near the glazed doors.
Design an extension around it
When Sam Cooper of E2 Architecture + Interiors came to redesign his own east London Victorian home, he created 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 – meaning there’s less of an audience for the chef.
Browse beautiful and functional kitchens by Australian designers
When Sam Cooper of E2 Architecture + Interiors came to redesign his own east London Victorian home, he created 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 – meaning there’s less of an audience for the chef.
Browse beautiful and functional kitchens by Australian designers
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 London kitchen’s 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.
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 London kitchen’s 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.
Switch the layout to make use of a bay window
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 London project by Huntsmore, those precious extra centimetres 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.
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 London project by Huntsmore, those precious extra centimetres 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.
Here, designer Roselind Wilson has maximised a bay window in this London home 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.
Your turn
Which of these layouts might work in your eat-in kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And if you found this story useful, like it, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
If you’re thinking of redesigning your kitchen, read this first – Pro Panel: What’s New in Eco Alternatives for Kitchen Carcasses
Your turn
Which of these layouts might work in your eat-in kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And if you found this story useful, like it, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
If you’re thinking of redesigning your kitchen, read this first – Pro Panel: What’s New in Eco Alternatives for Kitchen Carcasses
When space is tight, this arrangement in Putney, UK, designed by Wilding & Wolfe, 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 peninsula bench also provides a useful opportunity to boost storage. This design features drawers in the base and, at the left-hand end, there’s a small built-in wine rack (not visible here – but you can click on the photo and then on ‘Other Photos in This Project’ to see it).
If you’re also trying to fit a living area into your eat-in kitchen, this idea might lend the necessary space, too.