From cozy corners to open floor plans, maximize your kitchen with these family-friendly dining spaces.

Its wherecasserolesare cooked,snack timesare savored, andlate night swipesof leftovers are procured.

An eat-in kitchen doesnt have an exact blueprint.

colorful breakfast nook

Credit:David Tsay; Styling: Page Mullins

Tuck in Your Table

Don’t like dangling your feet from a barstool?

Think Diner-Style

A built-in booth takes advantage of tight and obscure spaces.

To keep things laid back, use vinyl or washable materials on the benches for easy cleaning.

Kitchen Nook Laura Kay

Credit:HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ STYLING BY: HOLLY SMITH

White paint and pretty blues create a cohesive space between the casual eat-in kitchen counter and seated dining table.

The throw pillows make this space even cozier and perfect to sit while you enjoy a cup of coffee.

Lean into an Open Floor Plan

Eat-in kitchen setups shouldn’t mean sacrificing on style or statement.

Briar Farm Kitchen

Credit:Brie Williams; Styling: Kendra Surface

To accommodate large families and various activities an additional breakfast nook is outfitted with a window seat.

This is a great way to offer maximal seating in tight spaces.

Anchor with Accents

Create a special space within shared kitchen and living areas with lighting and artwork.

Soft Coastal Color Kitchen

Credit: Brie Williams; Styling: Page Mullins

Here, a unique fixture and attention-grabbing painting ground the space to distinguish it from the hardworking kitchen.

Add in Clever Storage

Inthis househardworking spaces look different.

Instead of a center island this breakfast nook with bonus storage beneath is the backbone of the kitchen.

Counter with chairs attached to natural kitchen

Credit:Hector Manuel Sanchez

The glass table and antique caned-back chairs help the bay window dining area from feeling too dark.

While the space might be too small a slew of chairs, a custom banquette does the trick.

Make Room for Crowds

As the busiest spot in the house, a kitchen needs ample seating.

Kitchen

Modern kitchen with a 1920s-inspired checkered floor.Credit:HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

This one strikes a balance between old and new.

Erin & Ben Napier’s Kitchen

Credit:Larsen & Talbert

Heather Chadduck Hillegas designed open kitchen in WaterColor, FL

Credit: Annie Schlechter; Styling: Page Mullins

Neat Nook

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Blue and White L-Shaped Kitchen

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Colorful Breakfast Nook with Banquet Seating

Credit: David Tsay; Styling: Page Mullins

white kitchen with black wood flooring

Credit:Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

Blue and Yellow Kitchen Dining Nook

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Mixed Seating

Credit: Photo: Laurey Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason

Anna Braund Cottage Open Kitchen and Dining Room

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Heather Chadduck Hillegas Blount Springs, AL Lake House Kitchen

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Open Kitchen and Dining Room with Round Table and Pops of Purple and Green

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Kathleen Varner

Lidsky Family Home in Windermere, FL White Kitchen and Breakfast Nook

Credit: Ball & Albanese; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Lindsey Cheek Wilmington, NC Home White Kitchen with Teal Tile and Banquet Seating

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Colorful Kitchen Breakfast nook

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Lindsey Ellis Beatty kitchen

Credit:LAUREY W. GLENN

Cheery Banquette

Credit: Photo: Erica George Dines

Meg Kelly’s 1960s Ranch White Dining Room

Credit: Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Casual Kitchen Dining Nook with Yellow Chairs

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

open floor plan kitchen and dining of the Loudon house plan in southern living inspired living community Habersham

Credit: Laurey Glenn

Dining Room with Modern Art

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Modern Wood Paneled Lake House Kitchen with Marble Top Kitchen Table

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Kiera Coffee

Fran Chaiprakob Kitchen

Credit: Annie Schlechter

Fran Keenan Birmingham Cottage Breakfast Nook

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Julia Engel of Gal Meets Glam Charleston, SC Home White Breakfast Nook

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox

Round dining room table with wreaths in windows

Use tall tapers to add height to the tablescape without blocking the view.Credit:Brie Williams

Breakfast nook with banquet seating

Credit: Adam Ford

White Kitchen with green walls and corner breakfast nook

Credit: Mary Britton Senseney; Styling by Dakota Willimon

Chapel Hill House Neutral Breakfast Nook with Banquette Table

Credit: Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo; Styling: Ed Gallagher

Bold Wallpaper

Credit: Annie Schlechter; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Kitchen with large island counter and small fireplace

Credit:Brian Woodcock