Style guide
Kitchen dining room ideas
Use my kitchen dining room ideas to create a functional and inviting space to cook, dine and socialise. Check out @thornleyhome's kitchen diner featuring the Valetta dining table.
23rd May 2023
Not all homes are blessed with a separate dining room, so a kitchen diner is a practical option for those having to double up on space.
Though many may dream of having a designated dining room, there are lots of benefits to having a dining space in your kitchen.
An open-plan area creates an opportunity for a more cohesive family life.
For example, if parents are cooking, children can be busy with homework at the kitchen table; Or, if entertaining, the cook doesn’t have to be separated from the rest of the group.
In this article, i’ll show you how a kitchen dining room can work for your home.
Create a cohesive scheme
Though the two areas have different functionalities, a kitchen dining room should blend effortlessly to create a streamlined space.
One way to do this is to use the same colour scheme throughout the space. This will help the room flow and draw the eye through the room seamlessly.
Match materials used in the kitchen for the dining area. For example, complement marble worktops with a marble dining table or white kitchen cupboards with a white dining set.
Create a theme by using coordinating textures and accessories.
Keep your chair cushions the same colour as your kitchen blinds or match your tea towels to your tablecloth.
Artwork can also be used to unify a space. Choose pieces you can use as a theme, such as some vintage travel prints, and place them in both spaces, creating a sense of fluidity.
Coordinating the colour scheme, materials and textures will form a consistent look that will unite the space.
Archie Dining Table and 6 Chairs
Trafalgar White Dropleaf Dining Table & 4 Chairs
Space-saving solutions
One of the biggest challenges in a multifunctional room is around how to make the most use of the space available.
A carefully curated room is key to utilising the space. One of the most obvious issues is where to place a dining table.
Firstly, you need to choose the right table for your space.
A round table is a fantastic option for a small kitchen dining room, as it will take up less space than the defined edges of a rectangular or square table.
Dropleaf tables may also work well as they can be placed against a wall with the side down then pulled out when needed for mealtimes.
A kitchen island will offer storage, a worktop for meal prep and, when paired with some stools, a suitable eating area.
Alternatively, if space is a struggle, a simple bar table and stools will add a relaxed and contemporary vibe to your kitchen dining room.
For space-saving seating, opt for a bench that can be tucked under the table. Put shelving on a wall for a place to store and display items.
A stylish dresser top will offer a quirky alternative to traditional shelving or opt for industrial style pipe shelving for a modern touch.
Define each space
As each area in your kitchen and dining room will have different uses, it’s important to give each space its own identity.
If you have a cohesive colour scheme between the two areas, perhaps you could define the spaces by having a feature wall on one side.
Painting the wall a slightly different but complimentary shade, but from the same colour palette, help the area to stand out whilst keeping the room’s theme.
Adding some interesting artwork is also a great way to inject some personality to the room.
Place a large piece or artwork or a gallery wall behind the dining table and use a rug to anchor the furniture to that space.
Lighting is also a great way to make a statement about where each piece of furniture should live.
Hang a pendant directly above a round table or a sequence of three pendants hanging lengthways over a rectangular table or kitchen island.
Vidal Extending Dining Table and 4 Swivel Chairs
Aruba Sideboard
Dutiful dining furniture
Your kitchen will no doubt be kitted out with the relevant cabinets and cupboards, so squeezing in some dining furniture may prove difficult.
In a multipurpose space, keeping it clear of clutter is essential in order to keep the room looking less busy, so fitting something in like a slim line sideboard or compact cabinet will be beneficial for hiding items you don’t want on show.
Opt for less chunky pieces with longer legs so you can see more of the floor, giving the illusion of a larger space.
Check out 10 of the best sideboards for more kitchen dining room storage inspiration.
Set the scenes with lighting
Lighting plays an important part when setting the mood for any space.
Getting the light right in multifunctional rooms can be tricky as you will require different amounts of light for various scenarios – from preparing meals to dinner mood settings, homework time or entertaining.
Try to allow as much natural light in as possible as this may affect the amount of artificial light you invest in.
Reflective surfaces such as high-gloss cabinets or dining tables are also a consideration as they help to bounce light around the room.
You may want to have stronger lights, or spotlights over worktops you will use for preparing food and a softer option over the dining table to create an ambient, intimate atmosphere.
If the table is planned to have many uses, a dimmer could be a good option to set the mood to the task required.
Brooklyn 1.3m Extending Dining Table with 4 Natural Cross Back Chairs
Diamond Dining Table & 4 Chairs
Add a living element
Used as the place to prepare meals, store food and do the dreaded washing up, a kitchen can be seen as being a fully functional space.
But when introducing an additional element to the space, like a dining area, you want to create a warm and inviting place where family and friends can gather, eat and relax.
Give your dining area a living design with some soft furnishings like homely rugs, curtains and cushions.
Give it an even cosier appeal by adding a small sofa or armchair.
Check out 10 of the best small sofas for seating ideas to create a kitchen dining lounge.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my combined kitchen and dining room ideas.
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