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10 Reasons to Bring Back the Humble Kitchen Table
40 years ago, every new kitchen had a table in it. The kitchen table is where kids did homework and families sat for midweek meals. Times changed, how people live changed and somewhere along the line, the table evolved into the nearly ubiquitous kitchen island.
Kitchen islands provide additional storage space and they're a great way to position work zones close to where they're needed without crowding adjoining work zones. But at what cost? The easily-dismissed kitchen table has a role to play too. Whether fueled by nostalgia or by more families eating in during the week, kitchen tables offer a place to sit and socialize in ways no island can. I've been specifying kitchen tables wherever I can for the last few years and I'm hardly the only designer out there driving this kitchen table revival.
The design world offers very few blanket solutions for space planning. For some people an island fits how they live; for others, a table might work better. For still others, a cross between the two might be the best solution of all. However a space gets planned, that kitchen tables are being considered again reflects a broader trend of looking at homes as sanctuaries instead of showplaces.
Kitchen islands provide additional storage space and they're a great way to position work zones close to where they're needed without crowding adjoining work zones. But at what cost? The easily-dismissed kitchen table has a role to play too. Whether fueled by nostalgia or by more families eating in during the week, kitchen tables offer a place to sit and socialize in ways no island can. I've been specifying kitchen tables wherever I can for the last few years and I'm hardly the only designer out there driving this kitchen table revival.
The design world offers very few blanket solutions for space planning. For some people an island fits how they live; for others, a table might work better. For still others, a cross between the two might be the best solution of all. However a space gets planned, that kitchen tables are being considered again reflects a broader trend of looking at homes as sanctuaries instead of showplaces.
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Even though kitchen tables have a traditional sense to them, that needn't dictate the style of the room where they end up. This modern kitchen gets a grounded and eclectic flourish from this exuberant combination of table and chairs.
This kitchen utilizes the utility of an island with a table close enough to indicate "this is where we eat." Placing a table this close to the kitchen keeps anybody sitting at that table part of the action going on in the kitchen.
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| This table's just begging to have bread or cookies made on it. Its proximity to the range and sink make it an automatic prep surface, yet with a quick clear and wipe it's ready for dinner. |
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This table proves that despite a table's utilitarian role and lineage, it can still add some glamor and romance.
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| Here's another kitchen with a table close enough to an island that I'd still call it a kitchen table. Having a low surface accessible from all sides is invaluable when it comes to doing things like cookie baking or puzzle making. |
| Here's an island that gives way to a table and as it's making that transition, the room changes from the kitchen to a wider space for socializing. It's close enough to be of the kitchen without being in the kitchen. |
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Here's a table-island hybrid. No two rooms and no two families are alike, and an island that morphs into a pub table may be just the thing for a household with older teens. Tables encourage face-to-face interaction instead of side-by-side interaction. That's a subtle but important distinction.
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Here's another table that's close enough to the kitchen to function as a kitchen table. Its rough wood and Hans Wegner chairs are a soft counterpoint to the hard surfaces in the kitchen.
| Between the upholstered bench on the back wall and the table in the center of the room, this is a kitchen that asks people to linger and socialize. Whether for card games or pizza parties, this is a table that's getting nearly constant use. |
This final table is made from the same material as the cabinetry in the kitchen. The heavy oak top plays against the oak floors and helps this table do true double duty as an island. A table in a position like this lends itself to better conversations and easier meal preparation by multiple cooks. It sums up the expression "heart of the home" perfectly.
Ideabook updated on May 19, 2013.
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Vosgesparis: I love that table and I just bookmarked your blog post. Thanks!
Purple: You're humming my tune.
Triciarose: Thanks for your agreement. Sometimes I think I'm the only one who thinks this way.;
Allen
http://www.techologyinclass.com
Allen: The more I think about it and the more I experience it, that face-to-face dynamic is really important. So much human communication happens non-verbally and you miss a lot of it when you're sitting next to someone. Thanks for your comment.
Growing up my grandma had a table in her kitchen and that's where a lot of my memories are....and more than just dinner around the table. That's where we colored and wrote stories, dyed easter eggs and snapped green beans. I can't imagine her kitchen without that beautiful walnut table. I was fortunate to inherit that table when she passed away and while it's definitely seen better days my house feels more like a home with that table in it.
I love a good island, but I can really see the value in the "humble kitchen table".
Low2mum: Dining tables do great double duty as a craft spot. I think dining tables would be a more relevant piece of furniture if people would be more willing to adapt their use to something more than just formal meals.
Curvepoint: Custom design is the key. No two households are alike and each will have different needs. Using mass-produced, default solutions is a sure way to end up with an unhappy home. Thanks for your comment!
Davidecruz: Thanks so much for your compliment! The design trade is as much to blame for the state of things as you see it as anybody. All too often, comfort and utility take a back seat to having everything look like a magazine spread and it's a sad thing. I'm certainly not the only designer out there who's said enough already.
Reclaimedwood: Beautiful surfaces, thanks for posting those photos.
Nwshipman: That's exactly the point. Tables keep people's emotional needs front and center where they belong.
Ladykatherine: The kitchen you describe sounds really beautiful.
A wonderful concept. I like the combo of island along with island height kitchen table.
Thanks for this post.
I have been considering incorporating a table at the end of the island but haven't really found something that feels inviting and cozy.
I also struggle with sacrificing storage.
Will send pix when we have resolved all this but welcome suggestions in the meantime.
Love your comments.