Kitchen Diner Decorating Tips
This is a key space in the family home and it’s important to get the area just right in terms of layout and look. From flow to lighting, here are some essential tips for creating the perfect family kitchen diner:
Layout and Size
If lucky enough to be remodelling or building an extension, it’s important to give a lot of consideration to these aspects. A big rectangle or square space will benefit from effective zoning, while an L-shaped room can provide a useful element of separation between the cooking and eating areas while maintaining that pleasing open-plan atmosphere.
Extraction
An open plan layout requires effective extraction to prevent the issue of lingering odours. This is best done at the planning stage. Consider a ducted hood which expels air into the outside, rather than one which recirculates air through a filter. An appliance with a high-power setting will be useful for eliminating cooking smells quickly. Getting the ducting correct is also essential and it should be kept as short and straight as possible for the most efficient performance.
Lighting
A kitchen diner is a multi-functional room and as such requires a well-designed and more intricate lighting set-up. Different light layers are important, such as general ambient lighting, task lighting for cooking areas and perhaps some accent lighting to highlight attractive features. Do other activities take place in this room too, such as homework or hobbies? Some additional lighting might also be necessary if it’s a highly used space.
Furniture
Have a clear style in mind and opt for consistency in the design. To create cohesion across the kitchen diner, choose a complementary palette of colours, materials and fabrics. Accent colours can be applied to help join the different zones together. Symmetry and repetition are also effective tools for tying different zones together. For a range of colours and beautiful symmetry, consider furniture like the Eames Chair from a site like Pash Classics, supplier of imitation mid-century styles like the Eames Chair.
Zoning
Open plan layouts often benefit from zoning and this can be achieved in numerous ways in a kitchen diner. Furniture placement is a simple way to zone, such as using a breakfast bar or island to divide a space. Different lighting can be used to designate different zones. Adjusting the ceiling height or floor height to create split levels is another clever way of delineating different areas. Installing different flooring can also be a method for zoning, however the transition can be awkward to pull off.
Connection to the garden
For improved flow through the property, citing a kitchen diner at the back of a property is preferable as it provides views of the garden and increases the opportunity for fine weather al fresco dining. Improve accessibility and flow by installing sliding or French doors. Create an outdoor dining area on the same level as the kitchen that can be easily accessed.
