A couple of weeks ago, I gave a seminar on kitchen design trends at a local tile showroom. One of the main points in my presentation was the way the kitchen will stay — for the near future, anyway — the middle of the house environment.
Thus, the issue in today’s kitchen layout is how to create a space for family and/or visitors to collect in this room — and have it be a little different from what the neighbors have. Based upon the room design, flow into and out of the surrounding areas, there are numerous alternatives worth considering. Here are a few variations on the subject.
Archipelago Hawaii Luxury Home Designs
Kitchen island, version 2.0. I simply love the notion of combining an island and a table. In this Hawaiian kitchen, seats for four is put right in the middle of everything. By using exactly the identical material on the island counter along with the tabletop, it is a smooth integration between the two uses.
Christian Rice Architects, Inc..
In this variation, the kitchen is big enough that a change in substances between the island and table differentiates the dining area from the work locations. Another smart design choice. Notice, too how the light fixture over the table can also be distinct. Super smart.
Michael Fullen Design Group
Move island seats away in the main working area. If you are considering an island as your principal gathering spot, be aware of the intersection between work places and guest hangouts. The cook ought to be able to work effectively and unhindered even with buddies hanging out during final prep time. In this kitchen, the seating area is moved to one end of the kitchen, opposite of the functioning end, letting both places plenty of space to function properly.
Rob Kane – Kitchen Interiors Inc..
In this conventional kitchen, the island seats is placed opposite the main work areas. I can see the children gathered around the island on Saturday mornings waiting to get a fresh batch of pancakes to come off the griddle.
Alabama Sawyer
When space is tight, then use a cozy corner to get a counter-height dining table. This kitchen is too narrow for an island, but a unique kitchen dining table is”attached” to the counters in a place between the living and kitchen areas. It is a very efficient use of space and ideal as a celebration gathering spot or for the Sunday morning crossword puzzle.
HartmanBaldwin Design/Build
The kitchen dining table: an idea that deserves another look. In the tradition of the European kitchen, a dining table in the kitchen produces a cozy eating environment where dinner travels from being cooked into the dinner table in only measures. By placing an elaborate area rug under the dining table, this distance feels much like a dining area than a kitchen. It reminds me of a chef’s table in a luxury restaurant.
The kitchen table that also serves as prep surface. I’m so in love with this kitchen the simplicity of this color scheme (just black, marble and white ) and the tasteful design. The concept of a gathering table on chunky turned legs that also plays the role of prep surface if necessary is genius. Top all that off with glistening chrome pendants, and it’s almost perfect.
Mal Corboy Design
A built-in table extends work surface, saves space and provides seating. I searched hard for a few images of the thought. The seamless integration of this round countertop/table is a smart use of floor area and provides seats for many people in the kitchen whilst not crowding the cook.
Here’s another illustration of the attached table as part of the counters. In this kitchen, we put an increased glass table on one end of the kitchen to offer seating for four. Again, positioning was critical: out of this way, but in the kitchen.
More:
Have a Seat at the New Kitchen-Table Island
Kitchen Layouts: Island or Peninsula?
More kitchen layout guides