Dining and kitchen designs


23 design ideas for combined kitchen-dining rooms | House & Garden

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Decoration

When space is of a premium, bringing a kitchen and a dining room together can be a winning solution

Nothing defines modern living more than an open plan kitchen-dining room. Combining cooking and dining spaces started as a trend in the 1970s, when spacious, multi-fuctional rooms began to epitomise a more laid-back and intimate mode of being, eating and entertaining. Doesn't the thought of keeping a dining table for special occasions feel a little Victorian? A dining room certainly isn't a space that everyone has at their disposal, and regardless, if you're going to invest in a good dining table, then why save it for best?

Yet despite the prevalence of combined kitchen-dining rooms, it doesn't mean they're easy to get right. Without thought, bigger expanses of space can feel a little formless or museum-like, and it's important to find ways to make day-to-day spaces work for occasions, and vice versa, by creating distinction between different areas and their uses. One classic approach is to break up a large open plan space with an island. This serves as a dividing line between kitchen and dining area, and can also be used as a breakfast bar. If you have a small kitchen and you're looking to add a dining space, then bistro sets and small round tables can be a helpful way to go.

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TopicsDesign IdeasKitchensDining RoomDecoration

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Eat-in Kitchen Ideas for Your Home

Every item on this page was curated by an ELLE Decor editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Design so good, you'll eat it up.

By Kara Ladd

Casey Dunn

Formal dining rooms are a lovely addition to a home, but let's be honest, the kitchen is where the majority of eating happens today. Whether you have a modest kitchen fit for a lean breakfast bar or a sweeping space with a grandiose dining display, get inspired by these 39 stylish and functional eat-in kitchen designs from Dering Hall.

Emily Minton Redfield

1 of 39

A Pop of Color

Try a fun colored table to amp up the style of an otherwise neutral space.

Design by Ashley Campbell Interior Design

Andrew Frasz

2 of 39

With French Doors

Separate the space with bold, beautiful French doors.

Design by Kellie Franklin

Brady Architectural Photography

3 of 39

Side by Side

Place your dining table next to your island to maximize serving space.

Design by Dawson Design Group

Werner Straube​

4 of 39

Innovative and Functional

Create a bench using one side of your kitchen island.

Design by Studio Brunstrum

Michael J Lee

5 of 39

Mix and Match

Use a variety of textiles and patterns when sticking to a single color palette.

Design by Elms Interior Design

Costas Picadas

6 of 39

Central and Side Seating

Create extra seating with a casual side bench.

Design by Fawn Galli Interiors

Michael Biondo

7 of 39

Sleek and Industrial

Style the same aesthetic across all of your chairs.

Design by Fine Concepts

Eric Roth Photography

8 of 39

With a Cozy Nook

Opt for a variety of dining options like this nook, couch, or bar seating.

Design by Gerald Pomeroy Interiors

Werner Straube Photography

9 of 39

Bay Window Seating

Place a round table in front of bay windows to mimic the round, spacious design.

Architecture by Morgante-Wilson

Casey Dunn

10 of 39

Open and Bright

Add a pop of color with vibrant, eye-catching chairs.

Design by Greer Interior Design

John Giovanni Photography

11 of 39

Contrasted Crown Molding

Use crown molding and contrasting materials to create a separate dining space from the kitchen.

Design by W Design

Drew Kelly

12 of 39

High and Low

Incorporate both bar stool and table seating for an added variety.

Design by Tineke Triggs / Artistic Designs for Living

Robert Benson Photography

13 of 39

Country Chic

Create a focal dining space in the center of the kitchen.

Architecture by Haver & Skolnick Architects

Simon Upton

14 of 39

Modern and Sophisticated

Keep a uniform style with a duo of the same lighting fixtures.

Design by Hubert Zandberg Interiors

Andrew McKinney

15 of 39

Modest and Practical

Style a smaller island in the center of your space to make room for a traditional dining table.

Design by Tres McKinney Design

Elizabeth Watsky Photography

16 of 39

Modern Farmhouse

Add a quaint personal touch like fresh flowers.

Design by Hannah Childs Interior Design

Eric Piasecki

17 of 39

Effortless and Elegant

Go classic with a warm wood table with plenty of seating.

Design by James Michael Howard

Chris Luker

18 of 39

With Natural Lighting

Opt for an eating area where the natural light shines bright.

Architecture by Jeffrey Dungan Architects

Chi Fang

19 of 39

Long and Lean

Add a modern picnic table for a friendly eating space for the entire family.

Architecture by Jennifer Tulley Architects

Emily Gilbert

20 of 39

Small and Quaint

Create a quaint nook with a bench and small table.

Design by Jenny Wolf Interiors

Aaron Leitz

21 of 39

Creative and Colorful

Guide the eye to the table with a bold chandelier.

Design by JKA Design

Megan Chaffin

22 of 39

Small, yet Bold

Shop for a unique table top design for a fun accent to a contemporary space.

Design by KitchenLab Design | Rebekah Zaveloff Interiors

Werner Straube

23 of 39

With a Couch Nook

Choose a small and lean table that fits your space just right.

Design by Kim Scodro Interiors

Jared Kuzia Photography

24 of 39

Cohesive Color

Connect the kitchen and seating space through one unified paint color.

Design by Kristina Crestin Design

Sean Litchfield

25 of 39

21st-Century Country

Add a trio of lights to create a well-lit, welcoming space.

Design by KMID | Kate Maloney Interior Design

Mike Kaskel

26 of 39

Multi-faceted

Use a step stool as a multifunctional seat.

Design by Maren Baker Design

Jessica Glynn Photography

27 of 39

Wicker and Simple

Add wicker chairs for a country touch to a clean and simple space.

Design by Lisa Michael Interiors

Halkin | Mason Photography

28 of 39

Urban yet Organic

Set your table in front of a window for sweeping views.

Design by Marguerite Rodgers

David Duncan Livingston

29 of 39

With a View

Build a breakfast nook in front of bay windows for the perfect place to dine.

Design by Miyuki Yamaguchi Design Studio

Mitchell Shenker Photography

30 of 39

Plenty of Space

Place your dining table in the corner to maximize your space.

Design by Paulina Oldenbrook Interior Design

45 Stunning Home Library Ideas

Kitchen-dining room design - 135 photos of interiors of real kitchen-dining rooms and living rooms in apartments and private houses and beige flooring


Cozy minimalism 52 sqm

Yuliya Kamanina

Original design example of a medium sized modern style kitchen-dining room with gray walls, medium parquet floors, brown flooring and wallpaper on the walls

Apartment 129m2

Tatyana Ivanova I Interior Designer & Decorator

Kitchen-dining room in the living room part with windows decorated with window portals and city view. On the wall - the author's painting in a modern style. The artist is Maria Veide. Florist - Evgenia Bezborodova. Kitchen with cabinets hidden behind sliding panels. Without an apron.

Moscow, House on Izumrudnaya.

SunWaveStudio

Fresh design idea for medium sized kitchen-dining room in modern style with blue walls, gray flooring and wallpaper on the walls - great interior photo

Apartment ARCHIBEYOU

ARCHIBEYOU

Stylish design: mid-sized kitchen-dining room in fusion style with yellow walls, medium-tone parquet floors and brown floors - the latest trend

Kitchen-dining room interior design

Basic

Architectural Studio

The concept of this modern interior has become the honest architecture of the house. The warm tone of the furniture veneer and the white wood beams give comfort even to such a large and open space as the kitchen-living room. Among the materials, the main role is assigned to a wild crushed stone of a dark red tone. It is used both in the interior and on the facade, penetrating the roof and stained-glass windows. Stone also consists of a double-sided fireplace, which combines two zones - a dining room and a living room.

Cottage design project.

Galina Lukyanova

A fresh idea for design: a medium-sized kitchen-dining room in a modern style with gray walls and a gray floor - a great photo of the interior

Wonder Park which was chosen by all rest. In the bedroom, a couple consonant with him - wallpaper Cole & Son from the Fornasetti collection. “In the showroom in Milan, we saw how they were cut into separate silhouette images and connected to a painted wall. Thus, the idea was born to dilute two cloud ridges with a strip of a real, bright sky. For a small apartment, unified solutions are needed, the authors of the project are sure. So, for example, the whole space is united by a single floor covering and accent classic blue, the one that Pantone announced color of the year. Another creative success - a mirrored border for the entire length of the wall - I want to look behind it, find out what will be on the other side. Reflections create a whole, solar volume, fill the whole space with air. This effect only enhances the monolithic color of the kitchen and its continuation in the living room. “Actually, they are assembled from IKEA modules, but no one knows about it!” adds Tatyana. The layout was changed only a little, without leaving outside wet areas. But in small spaces, it is precisely the nuances that are important, what happens at the micro level. So, the bedroom was slightly reduced, and in the hallway it was possible to place a full-fledged closet, for which there was initially no room. Contrasting stripes and monochrome here are camouflage, they do not make it clear the real size of the room. “A well-designed storage system is what it’s worth think first. Otherwise, any interior in life would be completely impractical,” the architects say. Another experiment is connected with the almost complete absence of ceiling lights, reflected light is enough to illuminate the entire apartment.

95 photos, beautiful interiors, zoning

Today, in huge country houses and small cozy apartments, you can increasingly find an open-plan design of the kitchen-dining room. Such a modern option is an excellent solution not only from an aesthetic, but also from a functional point of view. The combination of the dining room and kitchen will definitely be the right choice in organizing a common space.

Features of the kitchen-dining room

The original open plan approach always includes some features. The lack of a dividing wall between the kitchen and dining room makes the space more open, which can appeal to outgoing extroverts. The main advantages of such a kitchen-dining room are:

1. The visual openness of the space, which makes it even more spacious and free.

2. Additional communication with family and friends while cooking.

3. Stylish and original type of room zoning.

4. Savings on the purchase of an additional dining table, TV and kitchen cabinets.

5. Possibility of using functional elements as additional decor. For example, a bar counter, a book wall or an aquarium.

6. Simplicity and time saving in organizing holidays and other events.

The peculiar disadvantages of the kitchen-dining room include fumes and smells that can affect the upholstery of furniture and the state of textiles, the sounds of technology and the inability to retire, which is not very suitable for introverts. But even these disadvantages, with a strong desire, can be corrected with a high-quality hood, modern silent technologies and well-thought-out zoning of the recreation area.

Visual zoning options

The kitchen-dining room is not only a practical place for cooking delicacies, but also a place where you can serve them traditionally and with glamor. Good zoning can visually separate the working kitchen area from the dining area.

Zoning with a bright wall

This is a great idea for creative people who want to make their dining room stand out and make it more festive. The desired image can be easily created using contrasting wallpapers with geometric patterns or imitation of natural materials (stone, wood, glass). The rest of the walls can be decorated in neutral shades, which will further emphasize the bright accents of the dining room. Do not forget that wall coverings must be moisture resistant.

Zoning with decor

Simple and stylish design of the kitchen-dining room, which is always subject to additional changes. The design of the dining area should include additional light sources (built-in lamps, LED strips), as well as be decorated with catchy paintings, unusual plants, decorative planters, hand-made souvenirs, bright textiles that can place the right accents between the kitchen and the dining room.

Zoning with screens and additional partitions

This is one of the most popular types of visual separation of two zones of one room. It solves the problem of isolation, and also fits perfectly into any style of interior. Partitions made of metal, wood, drywall or glass can act as a certain barrier. Screens can be folding and sliding, fabric or panel, bright or neutral. It all depends on the individual preferences of the owners and the overall design of the room.

Zoning with podium

An excellent opportunity to slightly change the geometry of the space, visually make the ceilings higher and "elevate" the dining or work area, thereby separating its location and design. This is the best solution for a small kitchen.

Lighting zoning

A non-standard solution that will help create a cozy and smooth transition from the dining area to the kitchen. You can arrange the light points in different ways. The kitchen area can be equipped with spotlights or LED lamps, and the recreation area (dining room) with a chandelier or table lamps. Then the lighting will be soft, uniform and aesthetically pleasing.

Furniture zoning

The right combination of furniture arrangement can completely replace an additional partition. This type of visual separation of the kitchen and dining room is called an “island”, where wide book walls, cabinets, double-sided TV racks become the basis, which simultaneously perform their function and organically separate two different zones.

Color scheme for the kitchen-dining room

An optimally selected range of shades plays a significant role in the beautiful design of the kitchen-dining room, because in this way you can emphasize the overall design, highlight stylish elements, create a feeling of comfort and coziness.

White kitchen-dining room

Cream color can make the space even more open and bright, which can be a good solution for a small room. Such a noble shade fits perfectly into the style of minimalism, modern, country and Provence. It is universally combined with its counterparts and makes colorful accents even more harmonious. Ideal combinations for a spectacular separation of the kitchen and dining room are coffee and cream, white and lemon, blue and white and green and white. These variations will serve as the perfect backdrop for an open floor plan.

Lemon kitchen-dining room

Yellow accents can not only make the kitchen fresher and richer, but also visually give bulky furniture the right lightness. Lemon soft corner, light yellow curtains or furniture of such a juicy color will always dilute the overall finish and will be able to harmoniously separate the kitchen and dining room.

Green kitchen-dining room

Olive notes in the interior design of the kitchen look peaceful and stylish. Green color goes well with white, yellow, peach, gray, blue. The kitchen wall can be green, decorated with wickerwork or shelving with earthenware, and the dining area wall can be neutral beige shades. Or vice versa.

Gray kitchen-dining room

This is a more practical and conservative option, but no less popular in the case of an open-plan kitchen. Colorists like to combine gray with white and yellow - it serves as an excellent background for decoration, textiles and furniture. It also looks harmonious and the basis of classic and modern interior design, especially if you dilute it with warm sandy colors.

Red kitchen-dining room

A juicy strawberry motif in kitchen design will suit extravagant people who are not afraid of bright accents. Cherry and light crimson colors will emphasize the overall tones of the finish, while rich garnet will be a beautiful backdrop for a white wall. White and red is one of the most successful and time-tested combinations.

Interior styles

The design can be designed strictly in one direction, or it can combine several different options. Such a solution is quite possible for an open-plan kitchen, which will be the perfect embodiment of practicality and creativity.

Contemporary kitchen-dining room

The choice of business people who know the value of every minute of their time. The special features of this design include conciseness, originality of the material and arrangement of furniture, a harmonious combination of innovative technologies and old traditions. For example, the separation of the dining and kitchen areas can be racks with antique souvenirs, baroque paintings or a designer seating area.

Classic kitchen-dining room

A good option for connoisseurs of refined gloss and expensive elegance. The main distinguishing elements are the exact symmetry of the arrangement of decor, appliances and furniture, natural finishing materials (at least one wall can be decorated with metal or wood), ceramic figurines and bulky lighting with precious metal inserts.

Provence style kitchen-dining room

Neutral beige furniture, animal motifs on textiles, chinaware, shelving with vibrant original flowers, weightless curtains and natural décor. This is how you can imagine the perfect kitchen-dining room in a gentle Provence style.


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