I think it's a great idea! Can you share a picture of the kitchen itself? My initial reaction to the gray sofa is that the color might not be optimal unless it works well with other elements. Right now it looks like you have beige walls and some kind of dark countertop.

I agree...great idea...but i would focus on comfy seating...cushy chairs with arms are more inviting for morning coffee...reading the paper and visiting with the cook..and side tables to sit drinks....or snacks ..of course

Instead of a couch, what about some comfy chairs.

I'm go glad to hear that it's not a crazy idea!! Thank you sharing the pic Judy G Designs! @Maureen I could totally do chairs but I just figured that the space is small and I do want to be able to sit four people there so though of a small couch (more like a loveseat) and two chairs. But I'm open to suggestions for furniture (not bulky pieces though since the space is small) so please bring them on!

@pricklypearcactus- the grey sofa is available in other colors but I've always kept the big pieces neutral and then add color with accents hence picked the grey couch :) Not afraid of color though. The basic palate downstairs in furniture in beige, creams with dark wood and two red accent chairs flank the fireplace. I think a cozy couch like btydrvn suggested a great option.

Attaching pics- The first one is of the kitchen and the second is the breakfast table currently there which is basically a junk magnet. The door that you see in that pic is the pantry.

I love the idea. I had a friend many years ago with a VERY small living room and she used four comfy chairs instead of a sofa. They were grouped around a round coffee table. She had several small ottomans that could double for seating as needed. I've always thought it was one of the most charming rooms I had ever seen!

Thank you for sharing more pictures of the space. I wouldn't go with such a cool gray fabric because it doesn't seem to relate to the warmer tones in your kitchen. If it were my space I might go for something ivory, beige or maybe colorful like the red chairs or navy.

Thank you pricklypearcactus. I think since it's right off the kitchen and with it being a high traffic area plus food I may have to go with a bolder color. You're right the downstairs is mainly warmer tones like rust orange, red, creams and mustards. I do have an option of mustard in this sofa. But then what color chairs would go with it?

Attaching a pic of the chairs near the fireplace and the mustard sofa that I can consider for the sitting area. The sofas are beige and the pillows have mustard, rust and brown tones. Will the mustard sofa look good with this set up. The chairs are the only pop pf color (besides the pillows) in the living area right now.

To be the most practical i would consider a fairly small printed fabric..or removable ..washable covers..for less “worry” seating...since you are in the kitchen ..essentially...especially if you have kids ...as their favorite positions involve legs and feet any where they land ...

This could easily turn into everybody’s fave place to hang out ..so i would consider a cushy...washable area rug as well

not weird, and I'd probably do the same! I love open concept rooms. back in the day when people could freely visit each other, most of my friends and/or family would spend hours hanging out around the kitchen. may as well make it comfortable!

This thread was just posted.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6088388/need-some-ideas-for-the-den#n=0

We did this to our nook and we love it! You will not regret it.

A space that feels cozy, more comfortable, and less MCM to better work with your kitchen‘s style.

Love the idea. I think it’s so awesome. So cute. Fun. And cozy. The only hesitation is that the style furniture your going with is a bit inconsistent in regards to the style of the rest of your spaces. But this is your space and you need to love it. Personally I’d probably consider something less mid century. More plush , heavy? Plop worthy. I think I’d do a bench and two chairs maybe.

Perfect idea. But I’d also try a more comfy sofa choice or 4 small scale swivel chairs with a central table (something where you’d be ok with feet being). Then everyone can enjoy the outdoors and indoors (kitchen conversation). Maybe a small drink table by the window in-between chairs.

what about a small corner sectional with a round coffee table? (I think it would be fine if the couch overlaps the bottom of your windows a little.) add an area rug too. all that would really make that nook cozy. the seating will mostly face the kitchen, while leaving the area in between clear.

be sure to keep any upholstered furniture far enough from the kitchen "splash zone", haha.

We did this as soon as we moved into this house 8 years ago. No regrets. We have peninsula seating on one side of the breakfast nook and we put padded seat swivel stools there. In the nook (it’s small) are 2 Ikea chairs and an ottoman.

With the stools, we have seating for 6 in that small space. And it gets used!

With your no-back stools, people can easily spin around, and it looks like you have a lovely space for seating. I do recommend small side tables for drinks and an ottoman for lounging. It makes the kitchen so comfortable to be in!

Thanks guys! I'm looking at a more plush cozy sofa now thanks to everyone's suggestions :) two simple rattan chairs from Article to go with it and a small table. ChrisT, CeltiaKris- can you guys post some pics of your space if you don't mind? I can draw some inspiration :)

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.

I think a plushy loveseat and two chairs and a coffee table would be great! Or 2-3 side tables instead of a coffee table, because after all you need a place to set down your coffee cup! In a warm-colored print. Maybe some bold colors on a deep beige-y background? Or a bold warm plaid?

Be sure the seating all has arms; makes it easier to hold the newspaper or a cup of coffee if you're arms are supported.

It's a great idea but be aware that the house brands of upholstered furniture sold on that site are generally very small in scale, have shallow seating and have hard cushions. Reviews generally comment on how cute they look as they are made to look nice, not to provide comfortable seating. It would be far better to go to a local store and actually sit on furniture before you commit to buying anything.

Thanks everyone! We will go to some local furniture stores to look at the sofa. This project may have to wait for a couple of months since we just decided this weekend to start work on the huge unfinished attic we have (we were about to start it last year same time but then couldn’t due to Covid) It’s about 1000 sq ft and it’s a total blank canvas (Which I love but also seems like a daunting task) Will post pics soon. Going to need some suggestions for that too. I’m thinking of moving the breakfast table to the attic once it’s finished since it’s counter height it might go well with the informal vibe there. Once that’s upstairs I can go ahead with turning this area to a sitting room.

Thanks everyone! We will go to some local furniture stores to look at the sofa. This project may have to wait for a couple of months since we just decided this weekend to start work on the huge unfinished attic we have (we were about to start it last same time but then couk due to Covid) It’s about 1000 sq ft and it’s a total blank canvas (Which I love but also seems like a daunting task) Will post pics soon. Going to need some suggestions for that too. I’m thinking of moving the breakfast table to the attic once it’s finished since it’s counter height it might go well with the informal vibe there. Once that’s upstairs I can go ahead with turning this area to a sitting room.

I have been searching for a post like this for a week and here it is! The area off my kitchen leads to the backyard with French doors, so our table took up too much space and impeded the traffic flow. We extended our unusable bar so it can now accommodate bar stools, and we have a formal dining room, so it was crazy for me to have three eating places for two people! Loving the idea of a comfy spot to land and have a beverage of choice. We usually just eat at the sofa anyway, so this will be perfect! Glad to see the idea is catching on. I will submit a photo after we get it finished. Thanks!

Any updates? Photos?

I can see such a space as a keeping room.

2021 post