The perfect kitchen-diner

By Pocyline Karani

With large living spaces becoming rare, designers are further embracing open plan designs in house to help ease the constricted look common with small spaces. Open plan designs help to also introduce an airy feel to the home and are best introduced to areas that are related in function.

One such common area where open plan is suitable is the kitchen-dining room or merging the two to create a kitchen diner.

An open plan kitchen cum living room.

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Often and in a home with children, the family dinner table becomes a jack-of-all-trades, ready for everything from cereal consumption to homework and even the occasional grown-up dinner party, so consider your choices carefully.

Kitchen-diners are great for relaxed get-togethers as the cook doesn’t have to miss out on conversation, and might even get some help with the washing!

Fine arrangement

Match the eating area’s furniture arrangement to your style of entertainment and the size and shape of your room by planning for company, lighting and furniture.

As far as company is concerned, consider the number of people to fit comfortably around the table. Circular tables help people crowd around while rectangular tables impose limits.

Hang a chandelier so its lowest point is 30-34 inches from the table. Leave an extra cord so it can either hang straight down or swag to one side allowing you to move the table depending on the size of the crowd. If you want to use a large table in a small room, consider one with a glass top to minimise visual scale.

Getting the look

Ensure the table or island coordinates with the kitchen. Allow around 120cm

Round tables allow people to crowd around it.

between it and the nearest piece of furniture or wall. If there’s no traffic passing behind the chairs, 90cm would do. If your kitchen is smaller, introduce a rectangular dining table with benches instead of chairs. The table can go up against the wall, with one bench ready to pull out.

When you have guests for dinner, move the table away from the wall and pull out the benches on both sides. If you cannot install a permanent table, but you like to eat in the kitchen occasionally, try a fold down design and team it with space-saving folding chairs. The table stays tucked out of the way during the day but can be flipped up when needed.

Remember, having everyone facing each other is the most sociable option.Add

Rectangular tables are ideal where space is not a problem. [PHOTOS: ALLAN OLINGO / STANDARD]

warmth and character with a colour theme — for instance, with the cold rainy season here, go for a warm cosy look with warm rustic browns, maroon, oranges and mix with coloured glasses and crockery with white. Finish the scheme with plenty of plants and flowers.