A lot of properties now boast a spacious kitchen that can incorporate a dining space. Having a kitchen/diner all in one is ideal for homeowners and holiday makers that wish to entertain and create a sociable environment.

Here are some of our favourite staging tips for designing and styling a contemporary kitchen/diner.

Get the proportions right

It’s important when merging two functional spaces into one that you get the proportions right. You don’t want to squeeze a large dining table into a kitchen/diner and have little room to move around.

Additionally, placing a small dining table in a larger space will feel lost and confusing. Therefore, make sure you get your measurements right (always measure twice!) and incorporate a dining table that allows for plenty of room but also feels at home in the space that you have available.

Introduce statement lighting

When designing any space it’s a good idea to frame it appropriately so the design and style of it feels intentional.

An effective way of doing this with a kitchen/diner is with lighting. Installing pendant lights above a dining table zones off the dining area from the kitchen.

Choose lights that fit in with the tone of the space. For example, the simple beige ceiling lights pictured above go perfectly with the farmhouse kitchen design.

Create a cohesive design

A kitchen/diner should feel like one continuous space. Adopt the style and tone of the kitchen and implement this into the designated dining area.

Take inspiration from the dining scheme above and take note of how Nesh chose a dining set up that matched the wooden kitchen countertop. Add pops of colour with your choice of tableware.

Relaxed & informal kitchen/diner

Traditionally, a dining room or area tends to feel quite formal. This doesn’t have to be the case, especially in a more contemporary property.

To create a more relaxed feel, choose dining chairs that you can sink into and that are stackable. Instead of laying the dining table, dress it with a basket and some beautiful accessories made from natural materials.

Add a focal point

If the kitchen space you’re working with boasts a neutral colour palette and feels quite flat, adding accessories can breath colour and life into a kitchen/diner.

A fail-safe staging tip is creating a focal point that immediately draws the eye into the space. For example, a big bouquet of colourful flowers will achieve this perfectly. Alternatively, craft your own centrepiece out of a spring wreath and some dinner candles.

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