'Repurposing' a breakfast area?

17 years ago

I posted this on the Home Dec forum, too...I know that I will also get some valuable feedback here! :)

I have a long, fairly narrow kitchen with a breakfast area at one end. We really don't use the breakfast table and chairs...it is too cramped and almost uncomfortable. It is mainly a "drop-off" for stuff right now.

I would love to put it to another use, but am not sure what I would really enjoy more. We use our dining room for eating meals, etc, and don't really need an additional area. I have considered a small, high island with wrought iron bar chairs that I bought at Pottery Barn Outlet awhile back (they could be used on the patio with a high table instead); I could use the island for baking tasks, etc. Or, I could use a small loveseat and chair for my own little sitting area (it has a great picture window).

Any personal experiences, pictures, or ideas?

Thanks! Andrea

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southernheart
Original Author

17 years ago

Thank you both for the feedback! Your comments have helped me think through what I am really wanting, and what would be most useful. We are to a point of looking for more "adult space" now, as the kids are almost adults themselves. I think that I may be leaning toward a sitting area, maybe two small club chairs or something similar, with a shallow floor-to ceiling bookcase for cookbooks, and a small drop-leaf table that can be a bit multi-purpose. It also gives me a good excuse to hunt for a really pretty chandelier, and that drop-leaf table. :)

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Comments (12)

girlgroupgirl
17 years ago
Andrea, I'd ask what you NEED most. What do you really, really need. Reading space, an office space, a homework area for kids, room for diplay or storage etc.
I'm thinking that say you have an office but you need a mud room. You could move the office to the kitchen, and put the mud room in the office...something like that. Keep that sort of option open...

GGG
Pamela Church
17 years ago
Whenever we have parties or gatherings, everyone tends to gather in the kitchen. If this is true for you, then a seating area which you could enjoy everyday and your guests could relax in while they (and you) chat, would be great. If the light is sufficient, accent with lush plants and bring the outdoors in.
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I'm just going to chime in here to say that we had two dining areas off our kitchen, since it was open on two sides. One was the informal everyday dining area, and the other was the formal dining room. We have a small house and I realized it was a complete waste of space to have two dining areas and since we rarely entertained and even used the formal dining room, why have it just sitting there most of the time, unused. In my case, I converted the informal dining area into a project work space and we started eating in the formal dining room every day, every meal, or at least most. I would encourage you to utilize the formal dining room in similar creative ways. At my last house, I had a small office at one end of the dining room, just for bill paying, mail sorting and occasional correspondence. I had it all set up on a rolling cart, and when I was working I just rolled it next to the table where I was sitting. Made for easy set up and take down. Very occasionally, i used the top of the rolling table as a serving cart when I entertained, so it also did double duty. Also in my own formal dining room, I now have some bookshelves. Great if you use the dining table as a homework spot. As for me, I sometimes like to go in there and have a muffin and coffee and read, plus I keep my cookbooks and recipe file in there so I often sit in there to make up my grocery list based on what I plan on fixing . . . Lastly, I wouldn't rule out the seating area as a possible food prep space, I'd want easy to clean stuff and a table that was possible to work or eat from . . . low key.
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I'd fill in that one railing at the minimum. How do you plan on placing the bench? if you want that 3 sided bench, it would be best if all rails were gone. if you want to do an L bench, you can keep the round table. (if you refinish it and get chairs it would look really cute) where these shelves are, would be where your one set of railing is. notice the round table though. If you want to have an L shape, or the U shape, you're prob going to have to use the round table. Why don't you measure out the bench depth/height (wherever you want the bench) and then measure out a rectangle. don't forget to leave room for legs and bodies to get in and out. hard to see, but the shorter L portion is against the other rail U shape bench. I'd remove all of the railing and do solid half walls You could do a bench like this against the wall, bring ina rectangle and situate it like this. if you do that the railing could prob stay or like this. the railing would be where this window is. Do you have enough room to do a rectangle? Or, leave the railing in the middle, put a bench on the wall and put another bench against this far railing (and make into a half wall). two benches will face each other. you have the perfect inset spot there to place the bench. then just do a table in the middle. I think you may have room to do something like this. only an L shape though you can buy settees like this or like these This could be cute. settees, L shape w/backs-make one rail a half wall. but on the far right, this bench is more like a chaise. you could leave the railing as is Here's the actual pic
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girlgroupgirl
17 years ago
Andrea, I think that is a really nice idea. If you entertain, it could also be an area for guests to sit and enjoy a drink and talk to you while you do last minute food prep.

GGG
Pamela Church
17 years ago
And any excuse to shop, especially in antique stores, is great, lol!
angelcub
17 years ago
I think a sitting area would be sooo nice. I used to have a wing back chair in a corner of my kitchen which was very popular when we had guests. I kept a basket of decorating and gardening magazines next to it and a small table on the other side. Someone always left with a new idea or two for their own home. It was also a great place to sit and relax while waiting for water to boil or something to finish up in the oven. I am seriously considering putting another chair there, but I'm waiting until we put the new slider in and remodel the kitchen. I miss that sweet spot! : )

You could really personalize your "spot." Do it up in the colors and fabrics that make you feel the most comfortable. And a large picture window - lucky you - does it look out to a pretty view? If not, now's the time to create one. You know us "cottagers" will enable you into some lushish bloomers. : )

Diana
girlgroupgirl
17 years ago
Diana, speaking of gardeners I had been wondering if Southernheart gardened and if there was a window by that area. How beautiful to have a seating area looking out over a fantastic slice of garden.

P.S. that Pottery Barn outlet rocks. I've been dying to get up there again and pick through the store. I bought loads of their Merrimkko stuff a few years ago for a song.

GGG
southernheart
Original Author
17 years ago
Actually, I do love to garden, but work hours the past few years have cut back on my gardening time, so it isn't quite as lush as it once was. This picture window overlooks the nicest part of my yard, with a little pathway, bird houses, and "interest", and there are lots of squirrels and birds (which my cat enjoys watching, too!).

you all are after my own heart! :) Antique, fabric, and outlet shopping! (GGG, that outlet is great...and a bane to my budget!)
bluesbarby
17 years ago
Ok. When we bought our house it had a long room starting with a family room then kitchen then kitchen nook. There was no formal eating area in the house and the nook is too small for my big family dinners so we turned the family room into a formal DR. But that meant there were 2 tables on opposite ends of this room and my DH didn't like it. The kitchen nook has a bay window. So we built a window seat in the bay with thick cushions and pillows. I recovered 2 three quarter wing back chairs and slightly lowered my kitchen table. The effect is like a lounge area in a bar. Very comfortable and my DH loves it. We have a tv on the wall so he likes to sit in there all the time to watch sports. He has a comfortable chair, a great view out the bay window and food and drink at his fingertips. And it's a great place for people to sit while I'm fixing dinner.
southernheart
Original Author
17 years ago
bluesbarby, that sounds like a great solution, and that you thought through your space well! I would love to see your chairs...they sound so pretty!

I wish I could put in a window seat..I love them. My window is flat, and the pantry opens right to the side of that space, so a window seat would block use of the pantry. Maybe in my dream addition.

Thanks for sharing your experience with this!
bluesbarby
17 years ago
southernheart: This is the only pic I have. Place is a bit messy but it gets constant use from am to pm. We actually have an ocean view but this was taken on a foggy am.
hibiscus53
17 years ago
Bluesbarby your space is gorgeous. What a creative way to make your room work for you. Reminds me of the hgtv house that was recently given away, it had a sitting area off the kitchen. My dd just did her lr with four upholstered sitting chairs as she has a froom and felt this works better for her family.A great quite space for reading or visiting and more of an adult space off her formal dr.

'Repurposing' a breakfast area?

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'Repurposing' a breakfast area?

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