Contemporary marine blue kitchen in an island layout with a matt finish. Includes a grey worktop and black glass wall units.

Kitchen advice

How To Plan A Kitchen Diner

No matter the size or shape of a room, there are key aspects to consider when planning a kitchen diner, from aesthetics to practical elements like zoning, lifestyle factors, and style consistency. In this article, written by interior blogger, Olivia Edwards-Silk, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to plan a kitchen diner covering all the elements that need careful planning to get a design that is right for you.

About Olivia

Interior blogger, Olivia, has spent the last few years putting her design advice into practice to make the Derbyshire home she shares with husband, Matt, her own. With the birth of the couple’s first child, Olivia has been keen to renovate her space to accommodate her growing family, whilst keeping her own personal style.

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Things to consider when planning a kitchen diner

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1. Lifestyle

From your daily routine to family life, and entertaining, how you will use the space is the most important consideration for a new kitchen diner design. For us, the kitchen has always been the focal hub of our home, providing a place to congregate with guests, prep food, and work. These things contribute to making your space as human-centred as possible and tailored to your needs.

Slate grey shaker kitchen with island style sink and overhanging breakfast bar. Open shelving and exposed white brickwork.

2. Size and space

Depending on how you plan to use your space will determine how much room you will need. There are often opportunities to extend or combine rooms, which is a great option for smaller areas, where budget and time permit it. Alternatively, make the most of your walls and floors to maximise storage and make way for multi-functional features, such as breakfast counters.

A mix and match black kitchen idea using charcoal and concrete-effect cabinets in a U-shaped layout. Includes white worktops.

3. Layout

Your layout should reflect the way you wish to use your room. For us, the cooking will be kept to the counters where the kitchen units and cooking devices are, so that the island can be kept clear and used more for prepping food. This also allows us to be able to work at the island when necessary too, because we will not be getting in the way of the cooking zone.

Clerkenwell Gloss Slate Grey and light grey oak laminate and real wood oak flooring

4. Zoning

When planning a kitchen diner, it is worth considering if you want to create separate zones to help divide work from play, or dining from cooking. This can be done with a island or by creating a bank of cupboards to separate your kitchen from the lounge. In our design, we have kept the cleaning and cooking areas separate, so the dining area can double up as a workspace.

5. Connecting the garden

Views of nature can improve your wellbeing, so why not connect your outdoor space in your design. In the summer months, this will allow for alfresco dining when the warmer weather appears, and it can create a more pleasing view when working or lounging. In our plans, we have added panoramic sliding doors next to our dining table to bring nature closer and to keep our space bright.

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6. Style consistency

If you want to achieve a joined-up feel , you should consider using consistent design features to help create a cohesive look. Using the same colour palette throughout is a really simple way of doing this and you can also add a common feature to both zones to make it more uniform. For example, we have used the same floor and pendant lights to tie it all together.

Design considerations for a kitchen diner

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1. Cabinets

Cabinets are the skeleton to any kitchen, so the style you go for needs careful consideration, especially when combining cooking, dining, and living areas. From colours to finishes and door styles, there is a design to suit any decor. Bold colours best suit larger areas, drawing the space in. Whereas lighter tones make it appear more open- great for compact areas.

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2. Storage

When planning a kitchen diner, it must be practical as well as aesthetically pleasing, so getting the right storage is essential. Clever options like double drawers, larder towers, and pull-down shelves will maximise space and keep everything organised. Pull-down shelves are a personal favourite, as it makes items more accessible for all members of your household.

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3. Counters

Counters are the most hardworking feature in a kitchen diner as space doubles up for cooking and dining. So, getting one that stands up to daily demands is crucial. Solid stone is a popular option as it is robust and hardwearing, while wood can be given a new lease of life through sanding and re-staining. Laminate alternatives can be extremely effective and budget-friendly.

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4. Lighting

Natural light is always important in any home, and you will want to consider this when planning your new look to keep the space looking open, bright, and inviting. You may want to place a sink or a dining area near a window – both of which are included in our design. Kitchen lights can also be used to create atmosphere, which is important for entertaining in the space.

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5. Flooring

Kitchen diners lend well to open plan living where two zones merge into one, so choosing floorboards that will run throughout will help the space flow seamlessly and make it easier to clean. Alternatively, you can use different floor styles to separate spaces. This may be your preference if you want to select floors that best suit the different areas within your design, like the cooking area.

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6. Appliances

From cooktops with integrated extractors to built-in hoods, appliances are one of the most exciting aspects. They need to be practical - it is a kitchen after all - so quiet models will help to keep the volume down in your multi-functional space. Be sure to explore all devices too, like warming drawers, which are great for keeping dishes warm and ready for serving.

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