The kitchen may seem an unusual spot for a sofa, but, really, why should the living room get all of the sumptuous seating in the house? Nestling a cozy couch up to your dining room table encourages guests to relax and linger during long dinner parties, provides a comfy spot to sip a cup of coffee, and can fit more people than individual chairs.
It’s also an economical choice. A sofa for dining is basically just a step up from a restaurant banquette, and isn’t the kitchen where everyone hangs out anyway? Plus you’ll save on the custom construction (and headaches) needed for a complicated built-in.
We know what you’re thinking: stains. But performance fabrics have come a long way in the past several years, offering superior resistance against spills and incredible softness. (Seriously! Knock over a glass of red wine on solution-dyed acrylic and watch it bead up and roll off.) Performance fabrics are also bacteria resistant and come in a broad range of styles and colors. One last piece of advice: We suggest a single cushion for a cleaner, more modern look—and less little nooks for crumbs to fall into.
Still, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a kitchen sofa. Here’s what you need to consider before buying.
Seat Height
Most dining table heights average around 30 inches, so to sit comfortably (without your knees hitting the surface or feeling like you’re a too-small kid at the too-big grown-up table), you’ll want the sofa seat height to be around 18 inches, though anything between 17 and 20 inches should work.
Seat Depth
Because you’ll want to sit upright to eat, look for a sofa with a seat depth around 20 to 22 inches. This gives enough back support—though you could always add in a few throw pillows, too.
Sofa Length
You have a couple of options here. You could pair a round table with a sofa about 3 feet longer than the table’s circumference, which will still let you slide in and out easily on either side. Or, if you’re tight on space, opt for an armless sofa and couple it with a rectangular table about the same length.
Head over to Domino Magazine for more sofa inspo and shopping links!
If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.
