Kitchen diner - snug or no snug?

[Foreverexhausted1]

We are about to start designing a new kitchen for the ground floor of our townhouse. Our kitchen is currently upstairs so we are moving it downstairs to make a kitchen diner with patio doors going out to the garden and turning the old kitchen into an extra bedroom upstairs.

I initially thought we would have a good size kitchen big enough for a family of 5 to grow in and a dining table that could seat 6/8 for when we have guests. It hadn't crossed my mind that we would need a snug or some other soft seating area but when we've mentioned our plans, multiple people have said we will regret not putting this in especially as our kids are still really young. The room will be approx 5m x 5.5m and I'd really like an island with a hob because it feels more sociable as a family space but I don't think we can fit it all into the space that we have.

If you have a kitchen/diner with snug type space, how much do you use it and should I be prioritising this over an island? Thanks

Can you post the floor plan?

We have an armchair in the kitchen and it gets used all the time, do you want to post a plan so we can see the options?

I think that might be a bit too small to fit a kitchen, dining area and snug area in (unless the snug is just a v small sofa or armchair).

When we moved into our house there was a settee in the kitchen. Stuff just got dumped on it, I don't think anyone ever sat on it.

If there is no TV in the kitchen my kids would not spend time down there unless they're at the table colouring / craft / playing a board game. If they want to veg on a settee they'll do it in front of the TV.

Nobody can post any pictures at the moment as pictures have been disabled across the whole site due to criminal images being posted last night.

@OP we have a kitchen with a large table (seats 10) and no soft seating area. However we do have a living room with sofa etc on the same floor. I find that there is absolutely no need for anyone to be lounging about in the kitchen, and would not want TV to be watched in there as it is a place for chatting and cooking. We do have a soft bench along one side of the dining table, and I also have a single occasional chair by the window where I sit and look out at the patio with a cup of coffee. I would miss that if we only had the kitchen table to sit at. It’s not quite an armchair, it has a high padded back but is wooden-framed. Can you fit something like that in?

I will post the floor plan when we're allowed.

I did think maybe soft bench seat as part of the dining table would be a good compromise? Potentially there may be room for a chair. DH is keen on a TV in the kitchen but it's a firm no from me as it's not meant to be another lounge, we have all of that upstairs

The sofa in our kitchen, which faces the garden, is where we spend most of our time. There’s no TV in there. It’s a lovely spot for a cup of tea, watch the birds, read a book, chat….

Stick to your guns about no tv in the kitchen. Could you do without the Island to create space for a two seater sofa? Hope you can post a floor plan soon. We have a 10 seater table which is centre of operations for food prep, homework etc. Sofa at right angles to the patio door is a popular place for reading, lounging about, people to sit and chat to whoever’s cooking and to look out at the garden. Comfier than bar stools at an island.

We Have just had a new kitchen/dinning/snug extension. No island so we could fit more kitchen units in, we have a U shape. The whole area is approx 6. 5 x 6.5 metres. It is lovely and spacious, even so we have only managed to put in 1 large 2 seater sofa but it is used constantly by ourselves and grandkids. Think seriously if you have the space for an island, they don’t suit all kitchens.

We have a snuggler seat (just fits two very friendly people) in our dining kitchen and it is definitely the most used furniture in our house. As pp said, perfect for tea and birdwatching in the morning; a snuggle with a child or partner, or wine and a book later

We have a sofa area at the end of our kitchen and I live in it.

I think that if your other living space is a floor above (if I e understood correctly) then a space for the kids would be handy.

If they are still small would they need to be in the kitchen with you?

Doesn't necessarily need to be a snug or full sofa though. Could be a play kitchen in the corner and a comfy chair.

I'd try not to make the space too fixed. Obviously the kitchen will be but maybe having a table that can expand and a couple of comfy chairs that still work as extra table seating (but could be moved and grouped differently) might be more flexible than constantly having dining for 8 set out when there are only five of you.

The needs of the children will change quickly so having a space that can adapt is good.

Do you have another TV area? While I don't love it in the kitchen, if you only have the main lounge when they get to about 10 and watch an endless stream of you tubers talking in a monotonous voice about Minecraft, you are really grateful of a different space!

Ooh i just reread - are you in a town house? I am too and if your kids are young you dont want them a floor away. Mine are 5/6 so old enough to play upstairs but younger children wont be.

ive The no TV rule in the kitchen as I know the whole football season would be taken up with people screaming at the TV while getting under my feet, and not allowing me my view of the garden in peace.

We have this set up and use the snug all the time. 2 children, 12&16 now, had this set up 4 years. Kitchen 5x10 metres, with kitchen units in L shape and island in the middle, 6 seater table, corner sofa. It's a great room but we also use the snug if we're wanting to watch different programmes, read, or have some quiet time as kitchen area usually busy