More homes are incorporating eat-in kitchens into the kitchen design, often eliminating the need for a separate dining room. In today’s post, local kitchen contractor DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Central Texas shares insight on these two types of dining areas and weighs in on the pros and cons of each.
What Is an Eat-In Kitchen?
An eat-in kitchen is a kitchen with a countertop that is used for informal dining. The same countertop may be used for other purposes — as a prep area, for example — or may be a dedicated space. Eat-in kitchens are best for small families who enjoy a less formal way to dine, and don’t usually have guests over. Some kitchens feature countertops of different heights, with the higher one typically used for bar-style dining.
An eat-in kitchen has its advantages. Taking food from cooktop to countertop can be accomplished in a single motion. It also makes it easier to clean up after a meal, since there is little distance from the countertop to the kitchen sink.
What About a Dining Room?
Having a separate kitchen and dining room has its pros and cons. On one hand, it helps the home cook focus on their tasks. The clear delineation between the two spaces allows parents to keep children out of the kitchen and avoid accidents. Eating in a dedicated dining room keeps the impending kitchen clean-up out of sight. On the other hand, working alone in the kitchen can be lonely for some people.
Which to Choose
Before you call a kitchen remodeler about adding a dining area, observe your family’s dining habits. Do you use the dining area often? Do you entertain guests? How often does your family eat together? Do you use the dining table for other things — reading, study, sorting mail — more than eating? If your family tends to be more casual with your eating times and habits, then an eat-in kitchen may be more suitable for you.
Alternatively, you can keep both by converting your home to an open floor plan, which involves removing the interior walls that separate the walls between common areas, such as the living room, dining room and kitchen. An open floor plan offers many benefits, including better natural lighting and improved traffic flow, and it lets you have an eat-in kitchen and a dining room.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
Searching online for a “kitchen remodeler near me”? Call DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Central Texas at (254) 277-2202 to get started with a no-obligation virtual or in-person consultation. You can also contact us online! We serve communities in Central Texas including China Spring, Woodway, Hillsboro, and Hewitt.
