We are planning a comfy bay window seat at the dining end of our kitchen for the same reason.

I think if you have the room and it doesn't just look stuck there for the sake of having a sitting area . . . then go for it.

Oh do it-wonderful idea! I have a friend who turned her breakfast area into a loveseat and chair with SMALL bookstand and coffee table-it's a wonderful idea. Growing up my mom always had to big upolstered rocking chairs in the dining room that was attached to the kitchen and it was perfect!

I wanted desperately to do that, but we didn't have the layout for it.

Here's an inspiration photo I've saved:

The kitchen in my home is open to what the house plan denotes as a "breafast area." There is a slider leading onto a deck there.

We bought a Lloyd Flanders sage wicker sofa set for that space instead of putting in a small dining set. We use our island for casual meals, so the extra table set would have been redundant.

Everyone loves that sofa area, because while you're not underfoot in the kitchen, you can still chat with the cook. DH and I love it best on Sunday mornings. We spread the newspapers on the coffe table and enjoy our second cup of coffee with a view to the woods behind the house and the morning sun from the sliders.

I bet you'd love it!

SIL had one in her kitchen years ago . . . her DH tended to plop there after work, read the paper and chat while she cooked. Her kids did the same after school . . . I thought it was a great idea.

We recently ordered a couch which we will use in the room adjacent to our (now open to that room) kitchen. That room was originally the DR, but we will be flip-flopping the DR with the LR. Everyone congregates in the kitchen when they come over anyway(!)--now they'll have a place to sit, and be out from underfoot! Doing this will also free up more wall space where we can use it (for a sideboard or buffet) in the original LR.

Did you ever used to watch the reality show about the Osbournes?

The one time I watched it, they had this zillion dollar all-custom billion-square-foot home -- and the entire family and all their pets spent most of the episode piled on top of each other on this little tiny sofa in the kitchen. It was obviously the only comfortable place in the house!

I think it's a great idea. As long as it has washable slipcovers that are easy to remove and put back on (buy at least one more set than you think you'll need, because they're sure to stop making them).

And make sure it's not too deep, so you don't wear your tea.

I don't have that but have been in several homes that do. These are homes that don't actually have an area designated for a keeping room, just a breakfast area, but have turned the breakfast area into a keeping area. I think it is great.

Oh lucky you!

One of my neighbours had this in her kitchen. The first time I saw it, I thought what a neat idea. Her actual kitchen was quite small, but this became the conversation area when kids came home from school.

My kitchen is open to my family room and now you have me thinking maybe my breakfast area of the kitchen should be a loveseat and chair! Even with it open to the family room this would be IN THE KITCHEN-b/c as it is everyone sits or stands at island -not at the couch in the family room!

We redid our kitchen and turned what used to be the "eat in space" into a space with 2 very commfy chairs and a small side table. It is WONDERFUL and attracts kids, pets, coffee drinkers, and conversationalists. I say go for it!

Our breakfast area in the old kitchen was a "sitting room" for a long time. Wicker love seat and chair, small coffee table, bisto table in the corner for computer, and a rug. It was very cute and really nice and cozy. But with the remodel we opted to incorporate that area into the kitchen with more cabinets (our kitchen was really small). I miss the sitting area but it's nice to have the bigger kitchen, too.

I'm in the midst of planning out the kitchen remodel for our new house-- the current kitchen has a sofa in it, which we love, but I was hoping to do a built in one, perhaps with some drawers at the bottom. That way I can make it just the size we want, and tie it into the kitchen area. Has anyone done this? I worry that it won't be comfortable...

Thank you all so much. I definitely feel fired up to do the sofa. Although finding just the right one might be tricky. (Can't be longer than 60".) But search we will. Our kitchen is small but I really really like this idea. And, as a bonus, now we'll have to actually use the diningroom. What a concept! A

In my last house, I converted the eat-in portion of the kitchen to a conversation area, complete with sofa, end table and chair and ottoman. It was just perfect! Everyone hung out in the kitchen....and, because guests or family members were in the sitting area, no one was under foot. I just loved that arrangement.

In my current home, I converted the small eat-in area to another sitting area. I've placed my very comfortable rocker, there along with a small bunching table alongside the rocker. I love sitting there to read while I've got something to keep an eye on in the kitchen, or stopping for a cup of tea or whatever....Plus it just always looks so inviting.

Here is a pic of ours.

HTH!

I love the idea too. Big _Changes, I am also planning a kind of built-in sofa corner that will be part keeping room, part breakfast nook. For me, the idea of padded built-ins with drawers fits into my home's 1922 design, and I think it translates well even if you have a more contemporary house.

It is a hard compromise to strike well, it seems -- it's kind of a trade-off between snuggly deep upholstery plus coffee-type table (a "keeping", "tea drinking" space), and a firm enough sitting surface you can use to eat from an adjoining table ( a "breakfast nook" space).

More pictures would be lovely, if anyone has 'em!

This is the post I was looking for when I asked for ideas to make myself feel at home in my own kitchen. Could those of you who have sitting areas in your kitchen/dining areas please post pics? Those that have been posted are lovely and give a lot of food for thought.

I love it when fate jumps in to lend a hand. I was wandering through a furniture store that my husband and I often visit just to ogle the wares because it's pretty pricey. And I found the perfect piece for our kitchen. On sale! Called DH immediately to come look; he loved it too so it's done. Or will be when our kitchen is. It's a settee or banquette that will work perfectly for what I want. I'm so excited. Thanks again for the push. I'll try to post pics when everything is finished altho I'm an idiot about such things. A

My parents have had a couch and rocking chair positioned in front of a wood-burning stove (Vermont Castings) near the kitchen table for 30 years. It's the coziest place on earth (especially when I'm sipping a cup of coffee and talking with Mom!).

Ainsley - I was happy to read that you found the perfect piece for your space!

This forum has served me well when I've needed a gentle nudge to go with a plan. Sometimes just sitting down to type out an idea helps crystallize the vision...

I look forward to seeing your finished pictures!