Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Seating Ideas
Without a doubt, the kitchen is the hub of modern-day home life. Out of all the spaces in our homes, it is the most communal. The popularity of open concept design has quickly placed the kitchen as its centerpiece. Just the fact that the food we need for our everyday survival is located here makes it the perfect space for a myriad of other activities. Often a messaging and calendar system is located here so families can keep up with one another’s busy lives. We leave important items for other family members here to ensure they find them. As our lives keep getting busier, the everyday use of a separate dining room seems silly. Eat in kitchens may offer convenience for families on the go, but they must still be comfortable. Check out these Mid-Century Modern kitchen seating ideas to keep those bums happy.
The Kitchen Is Where The Action Is
Unbelievably, there was a time in our history where kitchens did not exist. Shocking, I know! During this era, the kitchen was little more than a pit containing a fire that served for both cooking food and warmth. Eventually these pits received an upgrade to hearths constructed from stone or clay. As the concept of proper housing grew, kitchens were located away from the main living space when possible. This minimized the risk of fires destroying the family’s primary dwelling. With the invention of alternatives to fire, the kitchen quickly moved to the center of most homes. This led to a plethora of innovations to adapt the space for new and novel uses outside of just cooking meals. Storage cupboards, pantries, refrigeration, and a whole host of other new and exciting features emerged. Among them were a semi-separate area for casual eating.
A formal dining room has been a common feature of our homes for a long time. While this is perfect for formal occasions, such as holiday dinners, it can be a chore to haul food to a separate room for every meal. Modern lives are busy lives. As such, efficiency has become paramount. Eat in kitchen are a perfect solution. One can quickly whip up breakfast on a busy morning and eat it right there. A more casual space can also make weeknight meals more intimate. Formal dining areas will never go away but eat in kitchens are most certainly here to stay.
The Kitchen Is Where The Action Is
Unbelievably, there was a time in our history where kitchens did not exist. Shocking, I know! During this era, the kitchen was little more than a pit containing a fire that served for both cooking food and warmth. Eventually these pits received an upgrade to hearths constructed from stone or clay. As the concept of proper housing grew, kitchens were located away from the main living space when possible. This minimized the risk of fires destroying the family’s primary dwelling. With the invention of alternatives to fire, the kitchen quickly moved to the center of most homes. This led to a plethora of innovations to adapt the space for new and novel uses outside of just cooking meals. Storage cupboards, pantries, refrigeration, and a whole host of other new and exciting features emerged. Among them were a semi-separate area for casual eating.
A formal dining room has been a common feature of our homes for a long time. While this is perfect for formal occasions, such as holiday dinners, it can be a chore to haul food to a separate room for every meal. Modern lives are busy lives. As such, efficiency has become paramount. Eat in kitchen are a perfect solution. One can quickly whip up breakfast on a busy morning and eat it right there. A more casual space can also make weeknight meals more intimate. Formal dining areas will never go away but eat in kitchens are most certainly here to stay.
Comfort Is King
Whether for breakfast or weeknight meals, an eat in kitchen will only be as comfortable as its seating. The most wonderfully prepared meal will lose its luster if one is not comfortable while consuming it. For an eat in kitchen, it boils down to three general seating types: Banquette, island, and multifunctional.
When space is tight, a banquette style table setup may be the solution. This style typically consists of a L-shaped bench fitting into a corner or up against a wall. The opposite side will normally have traditional seating. It an excellent choice for filling in an unused corner or nook. Banquette seating can also give more bang for its buck by offering storage withing the bench.
Open concepts are a widely popular choice for kitchens. Islands are the typical solution for separating the space from the remainder. This presents the perfect opportunity to introduce an eat in area. Barstool seating is the most common choice. Depending on the style, seats can slide under the island when not in use. This type of seating can keep the cook close to the action without friends or family getting in the way!
Not all spaces offer a generous amount of storage. Small spaces often require creative thinking. Multifunctional pieces come to the rescue here. Use bench seating with storage underneath. Install eat in islands that incorporate storage on the sides. Your imagination is the limit here. In the end, you can have far more storage than you think.
Comfort Is King
Whether for breakfast or weeknight meals, an eat in kitchen will only be as comfortable as its seating. The most wonderfully prepared meal will lose its luster if one is not comfortable while consuming it. For an eat in kitchen, it boils down to three general seating types: Banquette, island, and multifunctional.
When space is tight, a banquette style table setup may be the solution. This style typically consists of a L-shaped bench fitting into a corner or up against a wall. The opposite side will normally have traditional seating. It an excellent choice for filling in an unused corner or nook. Banquette seating can also give more bang for its buck by offering storage withing the bench.
Open concepts are a widely popular choice for kitchens. Islands are the typical solution for separating the space from the remainder. This presents the perfect opportunity to introduce an eat in area. Barstool seating is the most common choice. Depending on the style, seats can slide under the island when not in use. This type of seating can keep the cook close to the action without friends or family getting in the way!
Not all spaces offer a generous amount of storage. Small spaces often require creative thinking. Multifunctional pieces come to the rescue here. Use bench seating with storage underneath. Install eat in islands that incorporate storage on the sides. Your imagination is the limit here. In the end, you can have far more storage than you think.
An Optimistic Style With An Eye Towards The Future
Mid-Century Modern is a style with origins in the mid-20th century. It came into being in the late 1940’s, post World War II, and spans through the 1960’s. An offshoot of the modernist movement, it incorporates the ideas of functionality, elegance, and minimalism. Mass production was an additional feature to keep up with a housing boom in the American middle class of the era. A primary goal of the style was to bring affordable elegance and style to as many homes as possible. As such, function is equally as important as style.
- Understated Elegance: Minimalism is key in the Mid-Century Modern look. Clean, uninterrupted lines draw the eye along. Uncluttered forms create a soothing atmosphere. Juxtaposing materials create interest. Balance is key here.
- Function Is Key: Nothing is frivolous in Mid-Century Modern. There is a vital function for every piece. This is part of what makes the style a time-honored classic.
- Neutral With A Pop: Todays Mid-Century Modern pallet utilizes a base of neutral, dark, organic hues as a base. Bright, bold colors serve to create eye catching accents.
- Mix And Match Materials: Mid-Century Modern came into being when a plethora of new materials were in development. A proper space will have a mix of both organic materials and synthetic, such as plastic, Formica, and acrylic.
- Bring The Outdoors In: Another big concept in Mid-Century Modern is juxtaposing nature and man. Utilize houseplants to achieve this. Window treatments are also a common way to help merge the two.
An Optimistic Style With An Eye Towards The Future
Mid-Century Modern is a style with origins in the mid-20th century. It came into being in the late 1940’s, post World War II, and spans through the 1960’s. An offshoot of the modernist movement, it incorporates the ideas of functionality, elegance, and minimalism. Mass production was an additional feature to keep up with a housing boom in the American middle class of the era. A primary goal of the style was to bring affordable elegance and style to as many homes as possible. As such, function is equally as important as style.
- Understated Elegance: Minimalism is key in the Mid-Century Modern look. Clean, uninterrupted lines draw the eye along. Uncluttered forms create a soothing atmosphere. Juxtaposing materials create interest. Balance is key here.
- Function Is Key: Nothing is frivolous in Mid-Century Modern. There is a vital function for every piece. This is part of what makes the style a time-honored classic.
- Neutral With A Pop: Todays Mid-Century Modern pallet utilizes a base of neutral, dark, organic hues as a base. Bright, bold colors serve to create eye catching accents.
- Mix And Match Materials: Mid-Century Modern came into being when a plethora of new materials were in development. A proper space will have a mix of both organic materials and synthetic, such as plastic, Formica, and acrylic.
- Bring The Outdoors In: Another big concept in Mid-Century Modern is juxtaposing nature and man. Utilize houseplants to achieve this. Window treatments are also a common way to help merge the two.
Mid Century Modern Banquette And Nook Seating
Fill in that awkward corner or nook in your kitchen and transform it into a cozy spot to enjoy a quick meal. Banquettes are perfect for small kitchens or in homes which lack a dedicated dining room or area. Mixing in traditional seating will make a banquette a truly versatile addition to your kitchen.
Mid Century Modern Island Bar And Table Seating
An island is the perfect addition for any open concept kitchen. It removes barriers isolating the chef from the guests and family. It also provides an excellent place for an eat in area. Due to the average height of an island countertop, barstool seating is the go-to choose for these areas. With plenty of designs to choose from, there are bar seating options for everyone.
Mid Century Modern Multifunctional Seating
When a space falls short in the storage department, multifunctional seating can swoop in to save the day. A banquette or nook provides the perfect opportunity to gain extra storage under the bench. Storage ottomans can serve both as novel seating for your nook and a place to keep extra table linens. Even entryway benches can be repurposed for an eat in kitchen that is uniquely yours.
BOUNUS! Mid-Century Modern Retro Barstool Set
Not enough space for a full eat in kitchen? Don’t’ fret! A pub table can be just what you need. With a smaller footprint than traditional banquets or islands, a pub set can fit virtually anywhere. It also gives an opportunity to work a bit of flare into the overall look of your space.
Comfort, Style, And Mid-Century Elegance
Kitchens have come a long way over the course of human existence. They have evolved from humble fire pits providing both cooking and warmth to the busy hub of modern family life. While a formal separate dining room still has an important purpose, they have become inconvenient for quick weeknight meals. It makes sense to have an eat in kitchen in today’s busy lifestyle. For it to function successfully, it must be comfortable to spend time in. The type of seating you incorporate can make all the difference. Whether you have a banquette, nook, or island, there are options out there. You can even gain more storage space with multifunctional pieces. Hopefully, these Mid-Century Modern kitchen seating ideas have helped you in creating just the right eat in kitchen for your family!
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