Did having your family, all the in-laws, your cousins, neighbours, and next doors dog over for Christmas and New Year make you realise your space could be socially optimised? Here is a quick-fire guide on ways to make sure your kitchen is the best it can be before the next family gathering!
1. Kitchen Island
A kitchen island can offer useful space and functionality to an area that must serve several purposes: socialising, eating, and preparation. Kitchen islands can be made to fit your home and kitchens personality, as they are available in various sizes and styles. No matter what size the kitchen, an island can be a great way to add extra prep room and seating and eliminate the need for a dining table, which may take up extra space. In addition to surface space, an island is a brilliant way to add extra storage on one or multiple sides.
2. Built-in Seating
There are a few ways you can change the seating in your kitchen space to make it more social. Have you heard of banquette seating? Although this sounds a bit medieval, it’s a bench-style seat created by a break in the cabinets. This can be a great way to maintain a sleek look throughout your kitchen whilst adding a bit of character and extra seating!
Alternatively, create a dual purpose for your island by creating built-in statement booth seating. Choosing an L-shaped design is a fantastic way to incorporate a kitchen booth into more limited settings. The booth should follow the side of one or more walls. A peninsula on an island is ideal for using as one of the booth's arms. Use dining chairs to add additional seating on the table's outside sides if you have the room. If you are extra tight on space, why not add a freestanding bench that can be tucked under the table when not in use?
3. Breakfast Bar
The function of a breakfast bar is to maximise your kitchen island, being used for both food preparation and as a dining area. It’s a great way to create a social setting; whilst one person cooks, the other can sit at the bar and can bring a more relaxed approach to dining. It is also great to add more seating in smaller spaces. A great tip here is to choose barstools that tuck under the breakfast bar. This creates an uncluttered, sleeker look. For larger rooms, luxurious, cushioned or oversized barstools can create a cosy, yet more dramatic social area.
If you’re looking for some island inspiration or seating solutions, check out our Instagram and Facebook pages!
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