Kitchen Design
Kick Back in a Kitchen Lounge
Turn an underused corner of your kitchen or dining area into an inviting, comfy space for hanging out
Regardless of the occasion, the kitchen is the most popular spot to convene in a home. Whether it’s a Sunday morning flipping pancakes or a Saturday-evening soiree with the neighbors, it’s likely ample time will be spent catching up in the kitchen. While people will gladly park it on bar stools to be part of the action, consider creating a more comfortable space for sitting back: the kitchen lounge.
Part breakfast nook and part living area, kitchen lounges are spaces directly off the kitchen furnished with sofas or comfy chairs. They're perfect for reading the morning newspaper or keeping company with the cook at hand.
Part breakfast nook and part living area, kitchen lounges are spaces directly off the kitchen furnished with sofas or comfy chairs. They're perfect for reading the morning newspaper or keeping company with the cook at hand.
Creating a kitchen lounge can be as easy as adding two armchairs off the kitchen, as in this example. It results in an inviting, comfortable space where guests or family members can relax and feel at ease.
Two armchairs accompanied by a small table and a lamp create the perfect spot for catching up on your favorite novel while (hopefully) someone else does the cooking.
A sectional sofa in the corner of this kitchen lets one enjoy the view while being a part of the kitchen hustle and bustle.
It’s notoriously tricky sneaking seating into a galley kitchen, but a kitchen lounge may be just the solution. A sofa, small table and chair at the end of this kitchen give the entire space a welcoming appeal and provide an unexpected touch.
This kitchen’s addition is likely too narrow for a typical dining table and chairs. However, it’s the perfect size for a cozy kitchen lounge.
Another consideration is swapping the dining table for a kitchen lounge. In a larger space like this one, generally you’d see a large dining table where the armchairs are. However, I guarantee four comfy armchairs will get a lot more use than a formal dining table.
Here’s another example of a kitchen lounge in place of a dining table. Ottomans with sturdy, flat surfaces provide a spot for appetizer plates during a party.
If you like the idea of a kitchen lounge but still want to include a typical dining table, simply divide the space so you can accomplish both. Instead of a large dining table, find a smaller version and furnish the other half of the room with a sofa or chairs.
Remember: You don’t need a ton of pieces to create an ample kitchen lounge. If you’re tight on space, you can easily achieve both a dining area and a kitchen lounge with the simple addition of two chairs.
For a simple kitchen lounge that doubles as storage, consider a built-in window seat. This provides comfy seating and a spot where you can hide wayward items.
Here’s another example of a kitchen lounge accomplished via a window seat. Such a cozy spot!
Tell us: Would you consider a kitchen lounge? Do you already have a place for lounging in your kitchen? Please add to these ideas with your own photo below.
Tell us: Would you consider a kitchen lounge? Do you already have a place for lounging in your kitchen? Please add to these ideas with your own photo below.