Home Home Decor Ideas 10 Welcoming Eat-In Kitchens By Southern Living Editors Updated on March 3, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Laurey W. Glenn There’s no place in the home that gets used quite as much as the kitchen. It’s where casseroles are cooked, snack times are savored, and late night swipes of leftovers are procured. If you’re lucky, you have a dine-in-kitchen which only allows for more cherished memories to be developed in this space that’s the heart of every home. A dine-in-kitchen doesn’t have an exact blueprint. From breakfast nooks to a kitchen island made for meal-time to the classic table with chairs, anything goes for these eating-dining-and living spaces. While the eat-in-kitchen does not replace the dining room, it’s a great option for more casual nights in or cozy mornings. It’s also the perfect place to sit while you do longer projects like snap green beans or wait for cakes to come out of the oven. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite dine-in-kitchens that might just prove to be the inspiration you need to transform your kitchen into a space that makes everyone feel welcome and ready to dig in. 01 of 10 Window Seating Laurey W. Glenn When working with a smaller space, a window seat is the perfect solution to add extra seating. The throw pillows make this space even cozier and perfect to sit while you enjoy a cup of coffee. 02 of 10 Dress Up Kitchen Nooks HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ STYLING BY: HOLLY SMITH Designer Laura Kay has found that her family loves a breakfast room. She created the illusion of a costly corner banquette by building an L-shaped wood bench and fitting it with French-style cushions. “They are dense enough that the back cushion can stand up on its own when placed between the seat cushion and the wall,” she explains. 03 of 10 Vinyl Upholstering Laurey W. Glenn To combat inevitable food spills, use a linen-and-rayon fabric coated with polyurethane in your kitchen. 04 of 10 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. 05 of 10 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. See more of the Lighten Up Kitchen Update 06 of 10 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. 07 of 10 Mixed Seating Photo: Laurey Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason Use an eclectic mix of seating types, like benches and dining chairs, around your table. 08 of 10 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. 09 of 10 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. 10 of 10 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit