Q: Inspired by others sending in their furniture arrangement questions, I decided to send in my own home dilemma: We recently moved into a new rental space which has a large kitchen we're very happy with. There's a great, if oddly-shaped, space before the kitchen area actually starts and we've not yet figured out what to do with it.
The kitchen ends up being one of the most social spaces of the house when friends come over so I'd like a place that would be comfortable and inviting for people to hang out, and/or something which would increase work space for collective cooking, and/or even increased storage space. Finally, I'd love to be able to add some kind of rug to divide the cooking/hangout space, or just any rug really to warm up the place a bit.
Sent by Rosa
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I'm guessing it's meant to be a breakfast nook, though it does look like a table and chairs would feel crowded there. Maybe you could do a small bistro table with two seats?
I'd say move the bike out of the kitchen and add a table in its place. I really like this sidecar table from CB2 (http://www.cb2.com/dining-tables/furniture/sidecar-high-dining-table/f4663). Add a couple more high bar stools to the other side of the kitchen, separated by a large framed print or poster and you'll have a hang out kitchen!
Yes, a perfect place for a little table and chairs. It could be off to the side a bit.
Also, you could extend the counter on the side opposite the bike with some sort of storage piece if you didn't want the table in there.
Another thought is, if you add a small table, you could aways hang the bike somewhere in the space. Maybe stand it up vertically somewhere.
It is a strange space, but DEFINITELY usable!
You can also do a wall mounted table that you can flip up when you wanted to use it, and lower with chairs placed in front when not in use.
You could mount the bike vertically to the left of the door. OR use that space for skinny shelving for extra storage.
And you could find a cute rug to go underneath the table and chairs. Meant to say that in my earlier post. ;)
I would think maybe a side nook (like a padded bench seat) with underneath storage might be nice. It doesn't necessarily look like you have enough space for a table, though someone did mention a pull-out table which could work. Additionally, you could also store a kitchen cart in that area for additional storage.
The angled wall would be a fun spot for a banquet/bench -- somewhere cozy for friends to sit while visiting. Add a small table and a lightweight chair to create an eat-in spot that you can move out of the way if necessary. I've been dying for a banquet like this one: http://www.hgtv.ca/puredesign/theshow.aspx?season=1§ionid=238&categoryid=4743791854117433388&postid=49840
I would put a bike hook like this one to the right of the door https://www.garagepower.com/admin/sources/modules/onlineStore/productImages/1221808910vertical%20bike%20hook%202.jpg
That leaves the bigger space to the left for a table. I would also make the table bar height like the CB2 choice someone suggested. That was the surface is good for both food prep and eating. I'd put the table against the wall since the space is small.
I agree with about the flip-down (or flip-up) table idea. I just did an image search for "flip-down table" and you can get lots of ideas. Check out this post from AT: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/seating-dining-sidechair/burojet-convertible-seating-for-small-space-living-058771
If you don't want to go the installation route, look around for drop-leaf tables and even some folding chairs. (Some tables fold down to super-skinny. I have a flip-down table in my kitchen that works as a great low counter and can also seat 3 with just one leaf flipped up.)
I advise the flip-leaf because you can change the look of the wall art by painting whatever you flip up or down, as well as whatever is behind the tabletop. Plus you can make room for any unexpected large objects that you might need to temporarily store.
Oh, and most important: Keep that tire as a focal point. ;-)
Maybe a "diner-esque" conversation pit sort of thing? A banquette-type bench on the straight side, maybe with pull-out drawers for under-seat storage (and the bike on wall hooks above as hyper-functional decor); and a narrow bar along the angled side, with stools that you could swing around to face people on the banquette or in the kitchen. The bar would double as extra counterspace, and for full diner-esque effect you could put a pantry in at the far end of the banquette and paint it up to look like a old-style jukebox.
I think a small table and two chairs on one side (think the sort of thing you'd put on a balcony) and then a skinny bench the other. That way, you can always pull the table to the bench and the chairs around the table. Preferably, the skinny bench would have storage underneath it.
This is all assuming you can find somewhere else to put the bike... if that's not possible I'd probably go for the bench over the small table, but have a small folding table nearby for a cup of coffee and a bit of cake with a friend.
I think that you hang the bike on the opposite wall, to get it off the floor, but still be able to store it. Add a high bistro table and a few chairs. Some bistro tables even have wine storage underneath. If you like to entertain, it keeps the wine right there!
Is the house from the 1950's / early 60's? In those days, dishwashers weren't built in, but mobile and hooked up to the sink when being used. This size of space looks like where the D was kept most of the time.