We knocked down a wall dividing the kitchen and dining area to create a larger dining space. This meant that our fridge had to move outside the kitchen, but we think the layout worked perfectly for hosting family and friends.
We have family and friends over 1-2 times a week so we’ve adapted the dry pantry area to more of a self-help station for drinks and snacks.
The kids also help themselves to snacks and water at any time of the day with the help of the learning tower/kids step stool.
The dining table was a key piece of furniture that we invested in. We looked for a key piece to centre the space on, something large and sturdy to last us for the long haul.
If you’re on the fence about a bench, opt for a bench and dining chairs that work well together. This way your more senior guests can use the dining chairs while a bench opens up the space and provides more seating when you need it. Our kids also love using the bench as a table for snack time and for all their open-ended play!