Island instead of table?

LittleGreenCottage

H and I are in the process of selling our current home and purchasing our next. We need more space than our 2 bedroom, 1 bath bungalow that we love (*sob*). We found a house today that we really like - three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living and family room, walk in pantry, etc. HOWEVER - the only space for eating is IN the kitchen (it's a ranch, not an open floor plan). A table and 4 chairs fits, but it's kind of awkward.

Here is my question - would it be crazy to put in an island and have that be the only eating space? There is floor space to do a large one - 2 barstools on 3 sides (seating 6) with storage on the fourth side.  Pros: gain cabinet space, gain counter space, make the flow of the room better. Cons: the only eating space would be an island. We *may* be able to fit a small table in the adjacent living room, but I'm not sure.

We're casual, as is our group of friends. If we were to host a family holiday I would do some sort of formal set up in the living room on a table. Do you think it would kill resale (this is a starter home, small family neighborhood).

Thanks for your input! I mostly lurk, but I've gotten some GREAT ideas from this board and value your opinions.

krennersds

I don't know much about resale, but I recently was facing this decision and decided to just go with a regular table in the kitchen. I still use the table top for anything I'd use an island for, it's just a bit lower down which is fine, and we have a bench pushed underneath on the side closest to the counter wall so we don't have chairs in the way. I decided on the table because it was a much cheaper and less permanent than an island, and I think more people can relax easily at a table rather than perched on a counter-height stool. I do have children and older adults over sometimes and I'd rather just have comfortable seating for them available. 

SSM&JLM

No dining room at all?  I'm not sure I would be ok with that.

I don't mind an island for kitchen eating, but I prefer something with a table and chairs.

tbridetobe

We looked at a couple of homes with an island as the only eating space and that was the reason we chose not to buy those homes.  It's so hard to predict what other people will like, though.  Personally, I enjoy hosting holidays (particularly Thanksgiving) and therefore, I was looking for preferably a formal dining room or, at minimum, a kitchen with plenty of room for table and chairs.  Obviously, some people will be more like you and not care about that.  I'm sure you would be able to resell the house to someone, so I wouldn't let it stop you from getting a house that you otherwise like.

Justinlove

With small children and aging parents, I feel it is necessary to have seating that does not require high stools so an island only seating area would be a deal-breaker for us.

Ginger Le Coeur

I think it depends on how you would use the space. We live in a very small condo. The kitchen is tiny!!! and there is no formal dining room. We painted the back wall of the living room as an accent wall and we have a dining room table against that wall, so we have a living room dining room combo. We host formal dinners on occasion and this works very well for us. Our whole condo is only 680sqft, so the living room is not huge, yet it works well for us.

If you think you are going to sell in a year or two, then I would say just stick a table there, but if you think you might be there for 5-10 years, you need to make the decision that will make the home work best for your families lifestyle. 

 

 

dairygirl19

Justinlove:

With small children and aging parents, I feel it is necessary to have seating that does not require high stools so an island only seating area would be a deal-breaker for us.

My mind went here too.

I also hate sitting around the island looking at each other. It's odd awkard. Fine for drinks, snacks and easy pizza meals but for everyday dining no way.

I guess I've never seen what the big deal about eat in kitchens is on here either. It's like no one has ever seen them. They're the norm where I live and actually a wanted item on a house list. A lot of houses have eat in kitchens AND dining rooms here. (OP this isn't directed at you..just a general nest statement and a personal, "OMG. What's against EIKs"..lol.)

Justinlove

dairygirl19:

 

I guess I've never seen what the big deal about eat in kitchens is on here either. It's like no one has ever seen them. They're the norm where I live and actually a wanted item on a house list. A lot of houses have eat in kitchens AND dining rooms here. (OP this isn't directed at you..just a general nest statement and a personal, "OMG. What's against EIKs"..lol.)

LOL--we wanted an eat in kitchen AND a dining room (gasp) when we were house hunting.  I love having both and, like you, they are pretty common around here. 

LittleGreenCottage

Thanks so much for the opinions! Most newer houses around here are an open concept, so the kitchen, eating space, and LR are one area, but there is a definite space for a table. This is a ranch in a more established neighborhood and is about 20 years old. We really like some aspects of the house, but I am SO unsure about the eat-in-kitchen. I would much rather have a "table space" than just smack in the middle of the kitchen. It's not ideal from a traffic flow standpoint OR to entertain (in this particular case, not in all homes. This kitchen is NOT large). GAH. We do have about a month before we would need to be under contract for a new place, and we had our second showing today. I think we're going to stall a little and see if anything we like better comes on the market. I was trying to talk myself into it, as there are some things about the house we LOVE, but you eat three times a day and I know it would drive me crazy, at least at first. Thanks again!

Knitty

I definitely wouldn't buy it. I don't use/want a formal dining room, but I need to have space for a table.

dr.girlfriend

I would be more prone to go with a small round table.  Or if the living room is adjacent, try to reconfigure some walls to make an eating area.  I've never actually tried to eat at an island, but I'm short and I hate sitting in chairs that don't touch the ground, and I can't imagine not having good legroom, or not having an easy way to pull the highchair up to the table, etc.