To save space in your compact kitchen, you will have to make some choices. In many cases, practical matters have to come before making it more “cosy”. And yet we are well aware that you would like to be able to seat your guests around a small kitchen table while you prepare the meal. So, to stretch your space, here are 5 ideas for creating a kitchen that is both practical and friendly.
A bench to create a friendly living space
Even the most optimised living space is bound to have a small unused area that you can rethink to create your dining area. A bench will fit in anywhere, such as an unused corner or against the back wall. Benches come in contemporary or rustic styles and offer a host of benefits :
- They come in any shape and layout, to fit perfectly into the available space. L-, I or U-shaped, as you like.
- You don’t need to allow as much clearance as you would behind chairs.
- Use lots of cushions to add comfort and style.
- A bench can become a clever storage unit with a flip top or built-in compartments with sliding doors.
Extend your worktop with a table
Extending your worktop is another great idea. It offers a means of creating an attractive kitchen table with as many benefits as a bench :
- For an attractive look, you can match your dining table with the rest of the furniture in your kitchen. You can select the same materials (chrome, tempered or transparent glass, natural wood, teak effect, walnut, wrought iron, etc.) and the same colours (black and white, taupe or anthracite grey, white lacquered, etc.).
- This is the ideal way to optimise the space around your table in terms of the seating clearance (which in this case no longer applies to one whole side of your table) and the table legs (which can be reduced to 1 or 2).
A high kitchen table to mark out your compact kitchen
This is the current hot trend: a high table that separates your fitted kitchen from your living/dining room. Along with counter-height chairs or bar stools, a high table is a great place for grabbing a quick snack or sharing pre-dinner drinks with friends while you are getting the meal together. The wide choice of high table models with different finishes even includes some designed with families in mind.
Check out our chairs and stools
A clever wall-mounted table
When your kitchen really is too small for any other solution, a wall-mounted table is your best friend. As well as being practical and functional, it is now smart and stylish. In many cases this is the perfect dining table for small rooms where space is at a premium.
A kitchen island with a dining area
Contrary to popular belief, it is perfectly possible to include a central island in your compact kitchen. It is adapted to your dimensions, and in many cases will be narrower than usual. This enables you to enjoy all its benefits, such as providing a great little dining area with the addition of stools.
