8 ways to turn your small kitchen into an eat-in space

Even the smallest kitchens have the capacity for ingenious eat-in solutions. The kitchen isn’t called the heart of the home without reason. An eat-in kitchen lets family and friends gather together with the chance for everyone (including the cook) to chat and enjoy the vibe. Don’t be put off trying to achieve this in your small kitchen space. With clever design, even the smallest of kitchens can provide a comfortable space for you and your family to eat.

Here are our 8 great space-saving ideas for adding eat-in space to any small kitchen.

1. Commission a bespoke solution

It’s not always easy to come up with a furniture solution for small spaces. Consulting a kitchen design company, such as The Brighton Kitchen Company, is a great idea if you are struggling with small and awkward spaces. A good kitchen designer will be able to offer a bespoke solution and ensure no space is wasted. A pull-out table built into a drawer unit could provide you with an intimate dining solution for two in the teeniest of ktchens.

2. Consider a banquette or booth

Creating enough storage space in a small kitchen is enough of a problem, without trying to squeeze in a table and seating for dining. But, cleverly tuck a banquette into a corner or create a space-saving booth and you’ll find you can utilise the space above and below benches for additional storage.

A corner banquet with a café style round table can be sufficient for two of you, and there’s always the option to pull up a couple of folding chairs when you have guests.

3. Use sleek transparent chairs or stools

Pick slender and transparent designs when it comes to seating for your small kitchen. Bar stools and a slender tall, café-style table will give you some eating space without cramping the limited space in your kitchen. Transparent furniture definitely creates the illusion of a more airy and vacant space – it’s furniture you can barely see! Dark, bulky furniture is a no-no.

4. Choose extending tables

Small tables in clever space-saving designs with folding flaps allow you to extend your table in the blink of an eye.

5. Create multi-functional kitchen units

Add in a small overhang to some of your countertops. With additional overhang, your countertops can double up as a breakfast bar. Pull up a designer bar stool and you have functional eating space. Be sure to choose sleek and slender bar stools that tuck in, or can be stored easily in a nook.

Or, if you can manage to forgo a base unit or two, your kitchen counter space can easily double up as a breakfast bar area. You can always add some shelving above the breakfast bar area if you need to.

6. Install folding flaps

A folding flap at the end of a kitchen unit can easily be extended when required. This is especially useful when a permanent fixture would make the kitchen space too cramped. Or a folding wall-mounted dining table can be put down when not in use.

7. Opt for folding or stackable furniture

Furniture that can be stacked or folded away is an excellent solution for space saving. When you are busy preparing food in the kitchen you want easy access to everything you need, without banging into furniture as you frantically multi-task. Prep your food, get it cooked and into serving dishes in the oven. Do a quick clean-up, bring out your folding furniture and get ready to serve.

You’ll need to find a space for your folding furniture for when it’s not in use. You can store your furniture in a nook in an adjacent room, or hang folding chairs high on the wall.

8. Add a cheeky bar against the wall

A narrow counter against the wall doubles up as a bar top and is perfectly adequate for breakfast and casual dining. You’ll feel just like you are dining out at a tapas bar or perched at the counter in your favourite coffee shop!

Images: Pixabay

(Collaborative post)

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