This is the One Piece of Furniture Every Kitchen Should Have
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As the Food Director of Country Living, it should come as no surprise that my kitchen is the most used room in the house. Whether it's lounging over a morning cup of coffee, cooking dinner while listening to music and chatting, or mixing cocktails—I'm partial to whiskey sours—when friends come over, it's where everyone wants to convene. That's why when we renovated our kitchen in 2016, I made sure to leave room for a sofa. Yes, a sofa.
Why I Love a Sofa in the Kitchen
I have always loved the sort of house in which life centers around the kitchen. You know the ones. While bar stools have their merits, I opted for a seatless central work island and an adjacent landing spot where, if I'm not cooking, I can lounge and comfortably take in the activities of the kitchen.
Sofas, quite simply, encourage lingering. What could be better than friends making conversation as you cook or the kids reading on the sofa while Dad whips up dinner? Besides, more and more people are breaking the so-called rules of kitchen design these days. For example, in Leanne Ford's latest remodel with Grace Mitchell, she skipped installing an island entirely. I've also seen more people embracing table lamps on countertops and artwork above the stove. In other words, the cook space and living space lines are blurring, and I love it.
How to Choose a Sofa for the Kitchen
First, consider the silhouette. This probably isn't the time for a hulking English roll-arm (although if you're kitchen can accommodate as much, good for you). I opted for a clean-lined 82-inch-long midcentury modern style from a local consignment shop that tucked in right below the stairwell. You may also want to explore settees or oversized loveseats, which have a slightly smaller scale than your standard sofa. (Want more ideas? Check out our sofa style guide.)
Then there's the fabric. As you probably assume, a durable performance fabric in the kitchen is a must. Performance fabrics by brands including Sunbrella, Perennials, and Crypton are designed to be stain-resistant and easy to clean. I reupholstered our sofa in a Sunbrella outdoor fabric.
If you're looking for a new piece of furniture, brands like Interior Define and Article have made-to-order options at direct-to-consumer prices. If you already have a sofa but it isn't the right color or material, you can opt for a slipcover, which is easy to take off and throw in the wash should there be a spill.
More Rules to Break in the Kitchen
I'll admit people were skeptical when I first talked about adding a sofa and picked the very colorful fabric, but now it gets tons of comments and it's the first place everyone lands when they come to visit. If you don't feel like you have room for a sofa, consider something equally unexpected like a stately wingback or pair of club chairs.
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