Food brings the family closer through cooking and dining. Without a well-designed kitchen, you may not be enticed to spend as much time as you would like in this space. If you want to turn your kitchen into an area where you can do more socializing with family and friends, you might want to consider an eat-in kitchen for your next home improvement project.
Traditionally, homes have a separate dining room where people can formally gather to eat and talk. However, if you want to keep it casual or add a modern twist to your kitchen space, you’ll love the convenience of an eat-in kitchen where diners can eat while cooks can prepare food
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of an eat-in kitchen and how you can set it up.
What are the benefits of an eat-in kitchen? An eat-in kitchen is desirable because it provides addition space for dining, entertaining, homework, food prep, and more. It increase the functionality of the home by allowing you to have both a formal dining space and a more causal and multi-functional eating area.
Why Choose an Eat-In Kitchen?
Remodeling experts usually point to these benefits when clients ask about an eat-in kitchen design:
It’s Perfect for On-the-Go Dining
If your family members start their day at different times, an eat-in kitchen would be convenient. Anyone can have food or snacks on the go without the formality and preparation needed when eating in a formal dining room. An eat-in kitchen is also great for families who usually have hectic mornings.
It Creates a More Relaxed Atmosphere
Some people might find the traditional dining setup too stiff and formal for the everyday. That is why modern kitchens have started including dining areas. This type of kitchen design is more relaxed – which is perfect for bonding with family or entertaining guests.
An eat-in kitchen will save you a lot of space and perhaps free up a room if you’re letting go of the entire dining room. It’s ideal for smaller families or those with limited square footage. If your current kitchen space needs a little more room to accommodate a dining area, it might benefit from a bump-out. In this case, make sure to consult home improvement specialists.
It Allows the Cook to Socialize
Cooking is hard work, and the person in charge of it will surely enjoy some company while they prepare meals. An eat-in kitchen allows diners to interact with the cook, ensuring that everyone is entertained and has a good time.
Setting Up Your Eat-In Kitchen
Here are a few elements that would make your eat-in kitchen more comfortable, convenient and appealing:
A kitchen island adds more storage and counter space. It can serve as your work table where you could chop and wash vegetables, prep meat, and gather other ingredients. Make sure it’s big enough to fit a working or cooking zone and the dining area. Don’t forget to set it up with comfy chairs for the diners. Your home improvement contractor will surely take care of all the measurements, taking into account the different tasks you’ll normally do on the island.
The peninsula is described as a “connected island” 0 which is its main difference from the kitchen island. It’s the recommended alternative for kitchen spaces that can’t fit an island. Much like the island, the peninsula offers additional prep and storage space. However, it has more seating space and can function as a divider between the living and cooking areas.
You can create an eat-in kitchen with an extended countertop. Simply add stools for diners to sit on, and make sure there’s enough leg room for everyone’s comfort. The extended countertop works great in small kitchens and provides a casual area for family and friends to eat with the option of moving to a dining table for meals. Since this area will likely be multifunctional, ask your kitchen remodeling contractor what countertop material would be suitable for various purposes.
A breakfast nook is one of the most popular ways of combining dining and kitchen areas. It usually looks great if you have a bay window, which makes this little corner in your kitchen feel a lot cozier. A breakfast area requires virtually no kitchen remodeling since you only need to find space that could fit a small table and chairs.
A built-in banquette is a stylish feature that will allow you to easily carve out a comfortable dining area in your eat-in kitchen. You can add this to your island, counter space or breakfast table. If you have a small kitchen space, a built-in banquette can provide you with extra storage space too.
Small Eat-in Kitchen Makeover: Start to Finish- Dana Berez
FAQ
Do I need an eat-in kitchen?
Do eat-in kitchens add value?
What is the difference between a kitchen and an eat-in kitchen?
How big should an eat-in kitchen be?
Why do you need an eat-in kitchen?
An eat-in kitchen also provides additional storage solutions such as pantries and drawers that can hold utensils and dishes. Overall, an eat-in kitchen is a great way to boost the functionality and ambiance of your home. Not only can you make meals at home more convenient, but it also adds value to your house.
What is one food that should be eaten regularly?
A healthy diet should include salad and vegetables regularly. The general recommendation suggests eating five daily portions of fruits and vegetables. A Mediterranean diet is a great option.
What are the benefits of an eat-in kitchen?
One of the major benefits of an eat-in kitchen is increased storage space. With two areas dedicated to food preparation and eating, more countertop and cabinet storage can be added to keep dishes, utensils, and other items organized. Eating in the kitchen also creates a feeling of family togetherness while preparing meals.
Is an eat-in kitchen a good idea?
An eat-in kitchen can serve as both the cooking and eating areas, making it perfect for smaller spaces or homes. However, if you like entertaining large groups of people or prefer more formal settings for meals, then it may be worth investing in a separate dining room.