Sharing a few ideas for how to pull together the perfect modern traditional eat-in kitchen set up for your home today!
They say you should never buy your furniture all in a matching set, and “they” are definitely right that you get a nicer, more curated look to your home that way. If you don’t buy it as a set though, how do you know what will work together? I thought it might be fun and helpful today to share a few ideas for what would work together in an eat-in kitchen or open concept dining area as far as combinations of tables, chairs, and light fixtures go. I often let you know about single furniture pieces that I love, but I don’t necessarily always get around to talking about options that will work with them. There are so many choices available to us now at the tap of a button, so here are some simple formulas for a modern traditional eat-in kitchen, along with some suggestions for pieces. I tried to fit items of all different price points in here, so there should be something useful for everyone. 🙂
Modern Traditional Eat-In Kitchen Formulas
Round Shaded Light Fixture in Bronze + Round Light Wood Tone Table + Warm Neutral Chair With Dark Leg
This formula has such a soft color palette, but the contrast of the dark chair legs and the dark metal light fixture give it a little interest. The dark elements also kind of “speak” to each other in this otherwise very light-toned scheme and make the whole thing feel tied together and connected, but not matchy-matchy.
Round Gold Chandelier + Round Mid-Tone Wood Table + Plus Light Rattan Chair (Armless Version Here)
This table is such a good mid-to-dark tone and really grounds this grouping without overpowering it. The light rattan chair and the gold light fixture feel connected, and the gold detailing on the feet of the chair help to re-inforce the point here.
Photo shot by Art & Spaces for Index Design Studio
Simple Black Lantern Light Fixtures + White Clean-Lined Farmhouse Table + Classic Black Windsor Chairs
This one is a bit of a take on what I have in my kitchen. I saw a table with a lantern and black Windsor chairs in a catalog once about 12 years ago and I knew that was the eat-in kitchen set-up for me. This look is super practical, timeless, and a little bit farmhousey so it lends itself to a casual kitchen situation. I only have one lantern over my long kitchen table, but if I were to do it again, I’d probably go with two, like I have shown here. I like these particular lanterns because they have no glass to keep clean and the rounded top part of them repeats the rounded chair backs and will really help to visually break up all the straight lines and rectangles that you can have going on in a kitchen with all that cabinetry and the long rectangular table. The leg of the table here is a bit more of a graceful shape, rather than a big chunky post, which will keep it feeling more classic and less outdated as time goes on.
A Few More Modern-Traditional Eat-In Kitchen Options
A low-profile upholstered chair (doesn’t this look so comfy? I also love the “natural” color leg option)
A classic seagrass chair. You know that everything I choose with furnishings always has to be somewhat of a classic and something that I think will stand the test of time and I love that it seems like seagrass chairs have been “in-style” for at least the last 30 years.
A ladderback chair will never let you down! This one has great reviews and comes in a pack of two for under $200 per chair.
Photo shot by Art & Spaces for SolastaBoutique.ca
An incredibly practical breakfast table option. Comes with a leaf, storage, and the most lovely salt-washed finish.
In my opinion, it doesn’t get any more charming than this French bistro table if you’re working with a tight space.
A wicker or rattan light fixture can add so much texture and warmth to a space if you go with a simpler style for your table and chairs. Use two over a long table. Be sure to read up on how high to hang your ceiling light fixture before you mount your new light!
Another option if you’re going with a darker leg on your chair. This bronze light fixture has a really stately presence and lots of special details.
MORE IDEAS LIKE THIS
- Things I Love More Now Than When I Bought Them (Home Edition)
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- Ruggable Washable Rugs Review
- Serena and Lily Sunwashed Riviera Chair Review
- The Creek Line House Decorating Archives
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Courtenay Hartford is the author of creeklinehouse.com, a blog based on her adventures renovating a 120-year-old farmhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. On her blog, Courtenay shares interior design tips based on her own farmhouse and her work as founder and stylist of the interior photography firm Art & Spaces. She also writes about her farmhouse garden, plant-based recipes, family travel, and homekeeping best practices. Courtenay is the author of the book The Cleaning Ninja and has been featured in numerous magazines including Country Sampler Farmhouse Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, and Our Homes.