Banquette seating is a great solution for a narrower space, as chairs don't need to push out against a wall, and a bench can usually fit an extra diner at the table. Wall space above your dining set can still be utilized as kitchen storage, just be sure to use it for seasonal items, or things that don't need to be accessed daily, so that you are not continuously stretching over your furniture.

A kitchen diner doesn't have to be paired back and simply functional, this grand classical design shows a kitchen diner steeped in luxurious finishes. Don't be afraid to hang a chandelier over your dining table just because it is within your kitchen area, this culinary space deserves just as much glamour as anywhere else in the home.

An open plan kitchen diner makes serving up at meal times so much easier, not to mention the clearing away afterwards! There is no moving to-and-fro between rooms, tackling closed doors with armfuls of stacked dishes just waiting to topple over.

Choose integrated appliances for a streamlined look that will blend in with the rest of the furniture, and maintain a neat and homey surrounding for meal times.

There is a concern that a large kitchen diner may feel a little drafty, or a bit less than cozy, so create extra comfort and warmth by layering covers on your dining set. You can buy or make your own slip-covers for your existing hardback chairs, and make the hem of your tablecloth skim the ground for a fully fitted look.

We're becoming accustomed to zoning areas with pendant lighting, and a dining table set within a kitchen is the perfect place to implement the technique.

If you like to watch television when cooking and dining, ensure you can view the screen from your kitchen sink and from your eating area. A good way to achieve this is by mounting your TV on a swivel bracket that can be turned with ease; choose one with an extendable arm to optimize your viewing angles.

The lack of barriers between cooking and eating areas can pose problems too though, bear in mind that a sink full of pots and pans from your culinary delights will be on full show when you sit down for your meals. It might be hard to unwind with your glass of wine over dinner with the washing up glaring at you, but the presence of a dishwasher will allow you to hide away the mess as you go, so keep a space free when you are planning your kitchen cabinet layout.

All of above via Svetlana Nezus
It's not always necessary to match the colors of the two zones, a continuous palette does create a cohesive environment, but you can also play with different hues or wood tones for extra interest.

Suit the size of your dining set to your space, don't try to cram in an extra large dining table or bulky chairs, you'll regret it when you have to edge around them every time you need a different spatula from the other end of your workbench run. Neat proportions can still have plenty of impact, especially when given a pop of color, or picked out against an interesting feature wall.

An L-shaped cabinet layout works well around a circular dining table, creating plenty of room for footfall and dining.

Above 8 via Irina Schastlivaya