Eat-In Kitchens

By Southern Living
Laurey W. Glenn

The kitchen is the place where most family dining happens. Take a look at some different dining options.

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Window Seating

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

When working with a smaller space, a window seat is the perfect solution to add extra seating. 

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Colorful Breakfast Nook

Photo: Hector Sanchez

A custom octagonal, quartz-topped table surrounded by three chairs and a freestanding banquette "offers a lot of seating in a tight space," says designer Melissa Haynes. The pair of fruit drawings gives a subtle nod to the room's color scheme.

 

 

 

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Vinyl Upholstering

Laurey W. Glenn

To combat inevitable food spills, use a linen-and-rayon fabric coated with polyurethane in your kitchen. 

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Cheery Banquette

Photo: Erica George Dines

Furthering her plan to enhance the room's architecture, designer Suzanne Kasler turned one corner of the kitchen into a cheery dining area with an L-shaped built-in bench that mimics the cabinetry. To keep the dining nook cozy (not restaurant-like) she surrounded the metal bistro table with slipcovered armchairs and hung a sparkly chandelier above.

 

 

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Coastal Open Kitchen

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

To maximize the footprint of this Palm Beach, Florida pied-à-terre mother-daughter design duo Marjorie Johnston and Wendy Barze completed a gut renovation. Opening the dining room to the kitchen created a cohesive space. 

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Mixed Seating

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason

Use an eclectic mix of seating types, like benches and dining chairs, around your table.

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Versatile Peninsula

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This homeowner uses her peninsula on a daily basis for casual dining, but it also serves as a buffet and bar while entertaining.

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Kitchen Gathering

Laurey W. Glenn / Styling: Anne Turner Carroll, Scott Martin

A kitchen that’s open to the dining area is a good layout for the social cook. “A wonderful kitchen that’s big enough to have friends and family nearby while a meal is being prepared is the difference between a good house and a great one,” says homeowner Michael.

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Color Harmony

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

The furnishings in this breakfast area mirror the color palette established by the cabinetry and countertops.

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Neat Nook

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

A built-in booth takes advantage of a tight space. The benches are easy to clean with vinyl upholstery.

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Striped Banquette

Photo: Erik Johnson

A built-in banquette is not only a stylish kitchen seating option; you can also use the space under the seat to store small appliances and other oversize items.

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Colorful Upholstery

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This homeowner used bright upholstery on her dining chairs to accent a neutral kitchen.

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Neutral Style

Ralph Anderson / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey

For a softer look, cover wooden chairs with washable slipcovers.

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Tucked In

Laurey W. Glenn Styling: Scott Martin

Don’t like dangling your feet from a barstool? Instead of using bar seating at your island, tuck a dining table underneath the bar ledge.

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Combined Dining

Give yourself a casual and formal kitchen dining options with bar and table dining.
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On a Roll

Laurey W. Glenn

A table on casters can be rolled out of the way when necessary.

 

Want More?
See more kitchen dining ideas in our Dining in the Kitchen video.

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