How to properly organize the dining area in the kitchen?

How to place it correctly?

The dining area in the kitchen should not intersect with the working area, while being located in a bright, spacious place. There are several options for its placement, but first you should estimate how much free space you need for convenient use of the dining area:

• The size of the table is determined simply: for each prospective seated person there should be 60 cm.That is, in order to comfortably seat 4 people, you will need a rectangular table 120 cm long and 60 cm wide, square 90 * 90 cm, round with a diameter of 1.1 m.
• The seating depth is 70 cm, in this position the chair is fully extended. That is, from the table to the wall there should be at least 70 cm, better - 90.
• The minimum aisle width if the chair is pulled out towards the room is 55 cm (from the extended chair). Thus, a person will be able to walk behind the seated person without disturbing him.

In the photo there is an interior with a dining area in the country

Assess the scale of your kitchen and move on to choosing the location of the dining set:

• In the center. Only happy owners of large kitchens can afford to put a dining area with a table in this way. This is not only convenient, but also justified - when the set is placed along the walls, the central part is empty, and the dining group will fill this gap. A kitchen island can cope with a similar function, one of the sides of which is used as a bar counter - this method is useful if the house has a separate dining room. The combination of the dining area with a U-shaped kitchen set looks spectacular.
• 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. The rectangular dining table is moved to the wall with the long side if the kitchen is not wide and you want to leave space for the passage, or short - if space allows and you need to seat more people.
• Near the window. The design of the dining area at the window opening in the kitchen is one of the most advantageous options. First, it's light here. Secondly, during your meal, you will be able to look out the window instead of the TV. Thirdly, this layout solves the problem of inefficient use of space.
• In the corner. By pushing the table into the corner, you save space without losing space. Usually a corner sofa is added to it, which allows more people to sit than on chairs. An additional bonus is an increase in the storage area due to the compartments in the couch. Also, the dining area in the corner is convenient in rooms up to 10 square meters in order to maximally remove the eating area from the cooking area.
• In a niche. Any architectural features of the house can and should be used! For example, a kitchen sofa will comfortably fit into a niche, which will save space. The only negative is that the seat will have to be ordered according to individual sizes.
• In the bay window. The presence of a bay window is the blue dream of many home and apartment owners! If you are lucky enough to have one in your kitchen, place a place to eat there.The main options for implementing the idea: a round table with chairs, or a sofa / seats around the perimeter of a window with any shape.

In the photo there is a round table in the kitchen-living room

Which furniture to choose?

The main components of the dining area are 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 that they are interconnected. The connecting link is style, color, decorative elements, finishing materials.

• For a classic kitchen set, choose a dining area with a simple, neutral shade. Alternatively, play with the contrast of colors, but add gold decorations to the chairs, similar to the decorations of the facades.
• For a rustic white kitchen, a dining area with a simple round table covered with a tablecloth and wooden chairs is a good match.
• For minimalistic 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.

Pictured is the dining area in the kitchen in the studio

Chairs can be absolutely any - at the same time, it is not necessary to assemble a set of 4-6 identical items. You can put completely different models, also related to each other in style, shape or size.

The table, on the contrary, should be selected carefully:

• Square. Saves space, it is good if, if necessary, expands to a rectangular one. The correct shape allows a company of 4 people to sit comfortably. Inconvenient in narrow spaces.
• Rectangular. Versatile, suitable for narrow, wide, small, large and even irregular rooms. Conveniently placed against a wall to save space.
• Round. It has no 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 a central location.
• Oval. It has all the advantages of being round, but wins in size. Suitable as a replacement for a rectangle.

Soft sofas are suitable instead of chairs. In terms of shape, dining areas with a table are divided into 2 categories:

• Corner. The version of the L-shaped sofa with or without a backrest is the most versatile of all, suitable for zoning. Sofas, although they take up a lot of space in comparison with chairs, are more roomy. 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 space of the room without losing seats.

The photo shows a minimalistic design with a bar counter

How to highlight beautifully?

The design of the dining area in the kitchen, which differs from the surrounding environment, allows you to add a design 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 wasting it. The main condition for colors is contrast. In a light kitchen, a dark or bright one will draw attention to itself, in a dark one - bright or light.

It is not necessary to use a solid color, take a closer look at prints or whole frescoes in the form of photo wallpapers. Correct panoramic images will help to enlarge a small space.

It happens that the accent wall differs in texture. To do this, sheathe it with stone, tiles, slats, bricks, fabric, leather. Or create an eco-friendly phyto-wall with live culinary plants.

In the photo of the phytowall in the interior

The second fastest way to divide areas is with carpet on the floor. The main thing is that it is of the correct size - a little more than all the furniture that is located on it. The shape should follow the shape of the countertop.

During the renovation phase, you can lay out two types of flooring: tiles in the cooking area and laminate in the dining room. Or choose 2 different colors of tiles, laminate.

How to arrange lighting?

Light also helps to zone the space.But if such a task is not worth it, the independent illumination of the two areas is at least convenient - during a meal you do not need such a bright light as during cooking. Therefore, by extinguishing it, you will make the atmosphere more comfortable.

Three ways of organizing lighting, depending on the location and size of the table:

• Ceiling. Suitable for any dining area, but the number of fixtures varies by size. Square / round table - one large shade, long rectangular / oval - 2-3.
• Wall. If the table is located in a corner or against one wall, place sconces or adjustable spotlights above it.
• Floor. To avoid wiring, install a tall, long-stemmed floor lamp next to it.

Tip: The food will look more appetizing with a warm-spectrum lamp on top.

The photo shows the design in blue

What decor would be appropriate?

Highlight the wall without changing the lighting and decoration. Suitable as a decor for the dining area:

• Paintings. Suitable images are abstractions, still lifes, landscapes.
• Photo gallery. Share pictures with family and friends.
• Clock. Choose a proportional size.
• Plates. From different countries or decorative in the same style.
• Flowers. Mount the planter to the wall or ceiling.

The photo shows bright chairs and tableware

The tabletop itself is decorated with paths, napkins, flowers in vases, beautiful dishes. Throw soft pillows on the sofa or chairs for decoration and comfort.

In the photo, decorating the wall 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 a peninsula. It is convenient to cook and sit behind them.

In the photo there is a bar counter with a table

If you cannot imagine a dining area for a small kitchen 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 it will please with its capacity.

For narrow kitchen spaces in Khrushchev, give up the sofa, put a long table along the wall and light chairs.

In the photo there is a tabletop on the windowsill

Photo gallery

The interior of the dining area can be anything, the main thing is that it meets your requirements and expectations.