Aside from the dining table (if it lives in the kitchen) or a breakfast bar with high stools, the kitchen isn't usually a place where we think about sitting. It's more about standing, moving, bending, and cooking! But we noticed that quite a few kitchens in recent tours have found a spot for a stool or chair — a little corner where a friend can sit down and chat with the cook. Here's a look back at ten nice seating options we've noticed.
We like how even tiny kitchens can have a little spot to sit; take a look at these photos for some inspiration.
TOP ROW
• 1 Evan's Old-Timey Apartment & Studio Space - A companionable chair, tucked in the corner.
• 2 Christen Carter's Bright and Serene Chicago Kitchen - A clever way to squeeze in a bar (and stools).
• 3 Swedish Kitchen Tour: Chez Larsson - Stools tucked under a functional countertop.
• 4 Kitchen Tour: Michelle Cooks with Art - A slim modern stool for a small city kitchen.
• 5 Kitchen Spotlight: Giulia's Light and Airy - A seat — and a stepstool too!
TOP ROW
• 6 Kitchen Spotlight: Lisa's Bright, Rich Rental - Two stools make a countertop into a nice breakfast nook.
• 7 Kitchen Spotlight: Stephanie & Bob's Primary Colors - What wonderful and colorful stools!
• 8 Kitchen Spotlight: Megan and Sarah's Orange Nook - Taking seating in the kitchen to a new level — here's a reading nook!
• 9 AB Chao's Gorgeous (Yet Restrained) Kitchen Reno - One petite stool.
• 10 Chris & Hannah's Spectacular Reclaimed Loft - We love that old-fashioned looking stool.
Do you have anywhere to sit in your kitchen?
Related: Lamps and Wing Chairs: Living Room Details in the Kitchen
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I have my whole dining table and 6 chairs in my kitchen, but when I've had smaller kitchens I've found that chairs only get in the way.
I guess I like to speed around my kitchen and the less obstacles the better?
I think the reason stools work better for kitchen seating is because otherwise one looks down on one's companions as one works. But if it's a table & chairs it's not so bad because both of you can sit together to chop or talk or whatever.
My kitchen is a horrible jumble of built-in and freestanding, and needs a reno I can't afford. I'd really love to find a way to get a small table & chairs in there so that friends can more easily join me.
I have a chair sitting in my kitchen. My beautiful ghost chair. Blends in which is nice but it actually serves as my stool. the only way to get more space in my kitchen was to go up so i need a chair all the time to reach food. Hey, at least i have food storage space now!!!!
I don't like spare stools or chairs in my space. It interferes with my kitchen design! Maybe if I had more space like some of these..
My parents have a couch in their kitchen. This sounds excessive, I know, but it's seriously the best thing about their house.
Admittedly they have a reasonably large kitchen (about 12 x 15' or so), and it's laid out just so to accommodate the couch nicely. But what a treat when there's a dinner party -- room for three or four people to sit and chat with the cook without being totally in his/her way, and the couch has flat wooden arms so there's always somewhere to set your glass of wine!