Putney, Loft Conversion Contemporary Dining Room, London

6. Bertoia wire chair. Harry Bertoia’s wire chairs have an amazing lightness of structure and ability to add oodles of style to any kitchen or dining room. Oh, and they’re really comfy to boot.The Italian-born American furniture designer created just a single series of five wire chairs in the 1950s. This one, the Side chair, produced by Knoll, is an out-and-out classic. Interiors aficionados worldwide adore the delicate yet tough design, which comes in black, white, chrome and powder-coated colors and has neat snap-on seat pads. Tough vinyl pads on boldly colored powder-coated versions can also brighten up alfresco eating spaces.

Keep it cozy. On the whole, people aren’t keen on hanging out in stark rooms. If your kitchen feels comfortable, it will draw people to it and make everyone in it feel at ease. Here, generous seating, an array of comfy cushions and a rustic wooden table with a big bowl of fruit help to give the room an inviting, lived-in feel.

Create informal spaces. Deep-toned wood or dark painted floors lend themselves to quite formal spaces and luxurious furnishings. A light floor can have the opposite effect, toning down the formality and giving a casual feel.

Segue from casual to formal. For a multipurpose booth that covers all your bases, pair an elegant dining table and chairs with casual bench seating, so you can dress it up for a grown-up dinner or keep it relaxed for a quick breakfast. Tip: Make sure the built-in seating is standard dining chair height—and factor in the height of any cushion that sits on top.

7. Build in a bench seat. Cushioned benches are comfortable and flexible. Make the most of an open-plan space by building one next to other elements in the room. Here, the bench rests against the kitchen countertop, creating a snug and sociable spot where guests can gather while the cook prepares food in the kitchen.

Built-in table? Then bigger island?