Ok, I’ve ALWAYS wanted to try something…. since the day Pinterest came out and I saw an image of someone using their dining table as a kitchen island I really wanted to try it myself to see how it would look and flow in our home. Well, I finally got the chance to try it and I’m here to chat briefly about that today with you all in case you to wanted to give it a go. Please don’t mind the patch of unpainted floor below the table. I never got around to finishing this project before posting… but you guys don’t expect me to be perfect right? Thank you! haha…
Why I tried it: We turned our old dining room into an office briefly which was amazing because we wanted an office that was in the center of the home so we would use it more often. We then needed to move the dining room somewhere & I had so much fun experimenting with this. First we put the dining room table in the sunroom which I loved because of all the windows as the table background & then I finally tried the dining table as a kitchen island because… we could!
How it worked: The dining table that we have from Arhaus [HERE] fit perfectly into our kitchen area & we placed it right in the center where the island once was. With dining chairs from Target [HERE] .. the table fit perfectly in the kitchen and in my humble opinion… looked great.
The Pros: I LOVED having the dining room table in the kitchen for so many reasons. I felt like that when people came over or if it was just us we sat around the table in the kitchen it was so cozy because everyone had a seat and we could eat, work, or just sit and chat. I was able to use the table as a workspace when needed as well when it came to cooking. I loved that the dining table in the kitchen encouraged the kitchen to truly be the heart of the home where we always gathered to do all the things. & of course I loved the cozy look of the dining room table in the kitchen. It was unique & full of character… So you know I was there for it!
The Cons: Though I loved the dining table in the kitchen there were some cons and you know I always want to share those with you guys. The kitchen island had a lot of storage that came with it so getting rid of that meant giving up some storage in our kitchen was a definite con. The dining table did offer workspace, but not as convenient as the island did because the chairs were all around the table so there was that barrier that I either had to work around or take time to move the chairs. The dining table also became an attraction for all the stuff like mail, purses, and anything else that we came into the house with. It was for sure easier to keep the smaller island clean.
The verdict: It’s a YES from me! Though we are moving the dining room table back into the original dining room where our office was this week as we are getting an out of the house office & the dining room will be open again… I loved our time with the dining room in the kitchen & would totally do it again. In different seasons of life I can see the dining room in the kitchen being a huge benefit like when having school age kids that can be doing homework while you cook and you can chat about your days…. it really brings the family together.
My hope: As always I hope by me trying this it inspires you in some way. I love experimenting and using our home as my pallet to share all my ideas and inspirations with you guys… this was a fun one! THANK YOU for always stopping by to see what we are up to, what we are trying, and what we are loving… your blog visits mean the world to us! So here is my question to you: Have you ever tried a dining room table in your kitchen? or would you love to try a dining room in your kitchen?
PS my light fixtures are from Schoolhouse [HERE]!
It is nice withe the table here…but where did your beautifull kitchen island go ? I was realy in love with this piece…
Well..if I was to use the table as an island, I would’ve kept the chairs only along one side and at each end. Also, a table is shorter than an island. I just don’t think I’d want to work always bending over it. Couldn’t you find a corner somewhere to place the extra chairs when you were working? As an eat in kitchen, it looked perfect for that though! Also, your table looks like it’s boards that are put together? Everything would catch in between…not ideal and would drive me crazy trying to keep it clean..ugh!
I love the character that it adds to your kitchen. I can see how it would have both pros and cons to it. I am excited to see your new exciting office space and how you are going to transition your old office back to your dining room.
Fun to try. I missed your island in the kitchen.
I LOVE IT! Also, where did you get the chair cushions from?
Love the chair cushions as well as the table. Beautiful set and will be fun to set it up again in your dining room. The kitchen tables of the 50s were the original “islands”, but like everything else in our homes was improved upon by the creation of islands. It is fun to try new things in our homes! Thx for sharing!
Love it! Very retro; I remember many a kitchen with a table due to space… back in the day! I also love the idea of Cope when he is older; hangin’ at the table and helping with food prep etc.
Good idea! It is the ❤️ of the ?❣️
Have been in a number of working farm houses where the kitchen table is located in the middle of the kitchen. A friend in her 80’s had an island installed and just couldn’t get used to it and had the table put back in! Always enjoy your style and inspiration…thank you for sharing.
I really loved it in the kitchen too, very cozy! I can totally see your cons though, those are always ours too! The dining table being in our kitchen ‘catches’ everything from purses, computers, mail, yet our island remains clutter free?! I can’t wait to see that beautiful island again, that thing always made me happy to see! The office space is a dream, can’t wait to see that when it’s done!??
We just recently did this a few months ago!!! We love the set up, but only because we have no dining room and our island just wasn’t practical for our family. This way now we have a dining table and an island that works better for our family.
Your idea is great! Older wooden tables have so much character and
should be appreciated. This look in your kitchen puts such a smile on
my face.
You are great sharing your designs. Thanks so much.
Susie
We eat in our kitchen, we don’t have a dining room, so our table has always functioned as an island!
I think it’s very pretty with the table, but as you said different times in our lives. You’ll have fun putting your dining room back together and you’ll have the island with stools I would imagine. Family will still gather! Enjoy. Always nice to change things up. Have a good day!?
It is so cozy. We have a small kitchen and removed the island and put an antique metal table with two chairs. Since it’s just my husband and I, we eat there. We use the dining room for company. Will you be putting the original island back in? Can’t wait to see your new office space
I like that there are no rules. Do what works for you and your family. I don’t have room for an island in my kitchen so my small round pine table in the corner window is my dual function as an island. I really love the table in your kitchen.
Summer Porch Sacramento
I love the way it looks… our family spends a ton of time in the kitchen… my next house will have an island that can have stools ours now does not…
The table in the kitchen is how our house plans showed our kitchen, I changed it and added a small nook. Yours looks great now I wished I wouldn’t have!
I do think it depends on what stage you are in your life. When i retired i took out my big island, my grandchildren are older and don’t come like they use to and so most of the time it’s just me. I put in a little window and a nook in the corner so i can set and eat and look out. I have a big dining room for the holidays when they come. I love a table for family to gather around and yours looked nice but maybe in a few more years it will be better.
This is so beautiful Liz!! I seriously love anything you do with your beautiful space!! ❤️
This reminds me of my grandparents’ kitchen! They had a table in the kitchen which was centered in the room and was a workhorse! Breakfast, coffee klaches, cherry pitting, late night ice cream ?. The dining room always for dinner, but relaxed messy times in the kitchen?
Love how it looks and miss having a dining table in our kitchen. I can see where you’d miss the storage and island workspace. We swapped out our dining room table in favor of an island when we renovated years ago. It worked better for entertaining, flow around the kitchen and added much needed counter height workspace. The key to making the island work better was adding super comfy counter height chairs! Made all the difference for our family to gather and use more as a family hub. There are times when I wish I had that dining table back in the kitchen but I love the island now with the cozy chairs! So I guess I’m divided! LOL