Growing up, my family spent hours around the kitchen table enjoying convivial meals and lively conversation, long after the food prep and meal had ended. The secret? A couch alongside one side of the dining table in the eat-in kitchen. Not only does it provide supreme comfort and convenience, but more significantly, it allows one to feel as though they're in a true "living" space and not a utilitarian kitchen.
This model from Jonathan Adler strikes the right balance of minimal plushness and bulk without sacrificing comfortable eating and style.