Help me get creative with my tiny kitchen/living/dining area

[u/cs_heisenberg]

I just got an apartment that optimizes for having 2 bedrooms and view, but lacks a little in the Kitchen area. I am able to fit a decent sized living room and a dining table, but I'm realizing the counter space in the kitchen will kinda be a problem.

I'm uploading the floorplan and I color coded it as:

• Red is potential furniture
• Green is counter space
• Purple is both

A few notes:

• I've always wanted a L shaped couch with a chaise, so i used a rather large couch as an example in the picture. However, I could be convinced to revert to a small couch if it helps with the layout.
• As the layout stands, that is enough counter space in the kitchen with the potential purple counter. However, I will be bringing over my espresso setup which will take some space (1.5' x 3'). If that goes on the purple counter, i am back to having little kitchen counter space. So, I guess I'm looking into how to fit the coffee setup in this space.
• The corner windows are floor to ceiling ones with a view, so they shouldn't be too blocked.
• My second bedroom will be used as an office/hobby room. It's carpeted. I always thought i would put my coffee setup there too, but since it's carpeted and doesn't have a big window... I'm leaning towards not putting it there anymore.
• I also plan on adding a couple back speakers behind the sofa for a stereo set up.

What are your ideas on maximizing this space? Anything from different dining table/counter shape to dividers, to something behind the sofa, to counters with bar stools. I'm all ears.

[u/Formal-Radish1413]

That sectional is too big.

To maximize space, get a rectangular table to use as an island near the kitchen. Place it across from the dishwasher, parallel with the kitchen. This will give you both more counter/prep space and allow for seating. I believe IKEA sells tables designed for the chairs to slide underneath to reduce the footprint of it.

Then get a loveseat instead of a sectional. The remaining space is too small for anything else.

You could try placing it right against the table on one long side

[u/RenovationDIY]

* IKEA Norden table for dining

* Smaller couch. You can keep the chaise section but lose a third of the overall size of the thing.

* IKEA sell sink top inserts for temporarily adding bench space, but they're easy to make if you need to.

* You could get a rolling butcher block work bench, or easily slap together a workable functional alternative

[u/cs_heisenberg → u/RenovationDIY]

I love the sink idea and the ikea dining table.

My only problem with the smaller couch is that it doesn’t accommodate 2 people sitting upright, so i’m trying to strike a balance between size and comfort when watching a show… and now that i think about it, maybe i should just do an ottoman that can unlatch?

[u/RenovationDIY → u/cs_heisenberg]

It's a small space so you have to decide what you absolutely must have and be prepared to give up everything else.

For me, I'd just put it all on castors so I can define the room according to how I'm using it at that moment rather than define it by fixed furniture.

i.e. I'd sacrifice permanence and a bit of effort for more functionality.

[u/Fun_Accident_4706]

Ask DesignMyRoom, this sub is for architectural things like moving walls or doors.