Does the kitchen need a seating area?

[MsAnnFrope]

We are looking to redo the kitchen which is 4.5m by 3m (approx). it currently has a u shaped kitchen at one end and then we have a table to seat 4 and random storage at the other. It has 2 sets of double doors at the end with the table.

We are keen to have more storage space i.e. pantry and bigger fridge freezer but would also like to keep some space for worktop and stools at the table end.
Its not really big enough for an island or peninsula (despite kitchen designers trying to convince us to the contrary.

We have a separate dining room so only have coffee, snacks etc in the kitchen. Anyone not got seating in a kitchen which is theoretically big enough to take it?

Yeah, I would suggest a banquet with seats that hinge upwards, with storage underneath. Nestle it between your two storage units and have a slimline table with stools the other side.

@HelloDulling

Do you have children, and if so how old are they? With DC, I like having a table for them to sit at for homework/meals while I cook, do laundry etc.

If it’s just you and partner, do whatever you like, though if you are thinking of moving in the next few years, most people do like to eat in the kitchen.

I can't imagine ever wanting to eat in the kitchen, it's impossible to have everything cleared up from dinner prep before you eat, who wants eat with the clutter from cooking around them ? I much prefer being able to eat in the dining room or even in the lounge then the kitchen.

My kitchen is currently a bit bigger than yours but we have doors that open into the dining room so didn’t try to cram seating into it. We are going to knock through and extend but even if we didn’t the flow works well because they are so close.

I think you'll regret no seating as your dd gets older.
You say that you already have drinks and snacks in the kitchen and during the teen years these increase in frequency! Also it's good having somewhere else to hang out. Some of the ideas upthread of somewhere to 'perch' rather than sit (bistro size table) or built in seating are good. My opinion is that in your kitchen it's nicest to have seating by your patio doors
I personally would definitely sacrifice storage for casual seating esp as you have a garage for laundry already

And if your kitchen designers seem uninterested maybe it's because they can't sell you more kitchen units?

Seating would be a priority for me over storage, I'd rather store things outside of the kitchen (eg additional freezer in the garage) than I would have to eat every meal in a separate dining room, plus I'd hate having to stand the whole time I'm in the kitchen (I'm not overly lazy but it's nice to have a sit down whilst things are cooking!)

Wow so many comments - definitely need the seating then!
If we ever sell (it’s our long term house but who knows when we retire) then I think we need to keep seating as an option.
DH is obsessed with bloody storage. Despite me being the main chef in the house he is such a hoarder. I’d rather streamline the crap and have less storage.
@womanity I like that a lot. I also want to live there now...

@BlueCowWonders you are probably bang on about the designers and cabinets.
My brief should have been maximum usefulness in the least possible cupboards.
The island is a definite no but either seating with storage or perchable space looks promising.

I really like Africa's idea of bench seat with storage under and small bistro table. Child could sit up to do homework then.

Can you have a bench against the wall and narrow table? I have a sizable kitchen but put a large island (curved one end with stools) instead of a table and kind of regret it. My teen son sits at the island to eat and I do like a friend to be able to sit if I'm fixing us coffee rather than hovering awkwardly (and they always follow you in to the kitchen). Plus your child could do his homework while you are preparing dinner.
So yes, I think it is necessary.

@Midlifephoenix what attracted me to the island was extra work surface

I agree with pp who said that some sort of seating/eating area would be necessary for them (even if only a breakfast bar, if there's really no room for a small table).

I appreciate the need for extra storage, but unless it's a tiny 1 or 2 bedroom place, you'll want to appeal to family buyers too if you ever come to sell - and people like the idea of there being somewhere for younger children to sit where you can keep an eye on them while you are cooking/cleaning in the kitchen.

How often do you use the items you will store in the kitchen? If it’s large appliances like breadmaker etc, perhaps they can go elsewhere?

What about a rectangular table, with its short side up against the middle of the back wall, with small benches or two cubes either side (you could store stuff in them). You could still have full length storage cupboards/fridge in the back corners. IKEA do a table 78cm wide.

I think a round table seems quite inefficient space-wise, but have never had one so I might be visualising it wrong!

I like to have a chair or stool or something in the kitchen so I can perch if I'm waiting for something to cook but don't want to leave it unattended.

It doesn't need to be attached to a table or anything. What about a folding chair or two?

You could have a very small peninsular at the end of the run by the sink - if it were just one extra 60cm cabinet, you’d get a seating area of 120cm or so (so, 2 bar stools) with backs to french doors, but facing into kitchen area. This should leave over a metre between the peninsular and the other end of the “U”.
You could then have full length, full height run of storage units on the wall where the table currently is.

@squareofthehypotepotenuse we have a drawing of doing just that but it does make the kitchen end feel cramped.
I’m more leaning towards prioritising seating and worktop and rationalising crap in the kitchen!
@IamnotwhouthinkIam it’s 4 bed with 3 reception rooms so we definitely need to think family house if we sell!

I really appreciate all the advise. I’m thinking corner seating with storage and narrow table might work but DH is set on worktop peninsula with bar stool seating. Both allow a 60cm pantry as well at that end (ideally on the dark corner by the doors as that is smaller due to pipe work).

Also we can commit to better storage in the utility part of the garage which can be used for some of the stuff currently in the kitchen I.e mop, vases, garden nonsense!
We can also put a glassware cabinet in the dining room.

Never build your house for your possessions, build it for living:) I'd keep seating and de-clutter

If you are wanting more worktop, moving the fridge to the far wall with all the full height units would make sense. That does put it further away from the working “triangle”, but we have had something like this in a previous house and had a small under counter fridge for things like milk/butter/ easy to grab things, in the main kitchen work area.
This would leave your entire U as all work surface (if you have an under counter oven) and if you only had wall units on the oven wall, would feel very spacious.

Just another idea! I do think the small amount of seating that you seem to want would be best achieved as a peninsula, as it’s more friendly and sociable, than sitting facing a corner.

@WaterBottle123 I could not agree more!!

@squareofthehypotepotenuse I like that idea. It would then mean we could do peninsula seating off the U-shape I think

I've got an L shaped kitchen in a similar rectangular room to yours. I love seating in the kitchen so went with IKEA kallax units at right angles and cushions on top, with a circular small white pedestal table. The plan is to get drawers for the kallax squares. It looks quite makeshift but works for me and we actually eat round it more often than I thought we would.