apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Get a larger Island/ Work table that you can use as a dining table, counter space, desk and has storage underneath. The table you have now is not really in proportion. It will help define the two spaces.

One that goes from the wall to the fridge - Ikea has some good options.

Your pics remind me of the silver blue entry to the small kitchens contest.

http://kitchen.apartmenttherapy.com/food/small-cool-2007-entries/5-jessicas-blue-and-silver-flair-021250

I think they turned an open kitchen into a closed kitchen by adding a wall with cabinetry and a counter facing the original kitchen's wall. Perhaps this is a question for the kitchen folk?

Those views are beautiful!

You don't mention what your budget is and/or how extensive a redo you want to do, but here are a few thoughts:

- Replace your current fridge with an even more compact model - that cubic footage is precious, and unless you have kids in this space as well, it's rarely all necessary
- Replace the microwave with a combination microwave/convection oven, then lose the range and replace it with a two or four burner "top" in the counter and storage beneath.
- Add a simple narrow shelf on the backsplash behind the sink for some additional storage of visually attractive stuff
- Consider having an attractive stool nearby (like this one from IKEA http://tinyurl.com/yv8f38) so you can more readily utilize the higher cabinets, but it can be integrated into your decor when you're not cooking
- Add a simple piece of furniture (this is the first one that came up when I googled "pantry cabinet," for example http://tinyurl.com/25kxy6) where you currently have the poster
- Re: the table and chairs, I'd try to use pieces that are more like living room furniture than a dining "set," so the room works more as a whole. Perhaps a round drum table with a lamp and upholstered "side" chairs?

Please report back in when you've made any changes!

I'm not sure how best to explain this, but my friend has a breakfast bar with cabinets on the other (sink-facing) side. The cabinets allow for a lot of storage and the top area is quite large, plenty of room for food prep and two eating side-by-side on swivel stools. It can go where that current table thing is. This does the same thing (available in black too): http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1206&f=10180 and you can even eat at it.

One option for the seating -- instead of chairs think about using a bench. If you get it slightly smaller than the table legs then it can go under the table when not in use, become a seat in the living room or with a longer bench you can use it as a coffee table. I have a combo living/dining room and I use my bench as a coffee table with a cushion to make it fit the table.

Build or buy a large self standing cabinet (or closet) at somewhere like IKEA and put wheels on the bottom. You can get tons of storage, use it to seperate kitchen from living room but can move it aside when you want. You can also put a drop leaf table top on the back of it for dining.

I had a friend who had this kind of cabinet made for his loft space. He did it with chipboard and it looked really cool.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. There are some truly helpful ideas here. I would love to do some big-time renovation to the kitchen, but budget and landlord restrictions prevent that. I'm always so surprised reading the posts (especially from NY) where renters get to make material modifications to their apartments. I don't think west coast landlords are that permissive. I'll be lucky if I get to paint.

I'm definately going to think very hard about all the furniture suggestions, and daydream about convection ovens and stainless steel appliances!

Thanks again!