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Small Kitchen Seating Ideas
Zeke Ruelas
With proper small kitchen seating ideas, components work together and fit tightly to maximize space. For example, backless stools can be tucked under kitchen islands while armless chairs can scoot underneath a kitchen table.
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A built-in bench is another smart space-saving choice, especially if the design offers added storage underneath. Take the time to consider how seating factors into the mix and scale of designing your small kitchen. Whether you opt for bar stools, chairs or built-in benches, choose your seat wisely.
Close quarters call for seating options that won't make the kitchen feel confined. Enter chairs without arms. Though not as comfy as armchairs, they're easier to get in and out of when space is tight.
In addition to scale, portability is a plus in a small kitchen. Employ chairs from an adjoining room to moonlight as dining chairs come mealtime, then whisk them away afterward.
Combining single chairs with a removable bench at the table offers a versatile seating arrangement. It guarantees room for extra guests at the table, punches up the style factor. Removing the bench and easing the table against the wall will allow for more floor space when it's needed.
For eat-in kitchens with peninsulas or center islands, whether permanent or removable, backless stools are a seating option that won't take up a lot of space. The clean-lined bar stools can be slipped under a kitchen island or stacked and stored in a corner to open up the floor space between meals. More specifically, modern-style Lucite stools are practically transparent, meaning they take up little visual room and create the illusion of spaciousness in your kitchen. Another space-expanding trick to keep in mind when selecting a stool is to think monochromatic. Unify the room by choosing stools in colors that match the walls and cabinetry.
Although built-in banquettes and removable benches may appear bulky and substantial, their angular "L" shape lends them to easing into odd corners and nooks, so that every precious square inch of a small kitchen is put to good use. With careful space arranging, this eat-in kitchen seating layout makes your kitchen feel much more welcoming and cozy. Up the style ante with a splash of color and pattern through easily changeable upholstery or accent pillows. This instant focal point will be proof that spare on space doesn't mean spare on style!
