How The “Keeping Room” And Kitchen Cupboard Doors Can Transform Your Renovation Project

They say that everything eventually comes back around again and this is something we’ve been seeing in the world of interiors a lot recently. But while we’ve seen plenty of long-forgotten pieces of furniture, colours and design styles all having their moment in the spotlight again, this is arguably the first time we’re seeing an entire room making a comeback.

What is a keeping room? 

A keeping room is essentially a cosy space that offers comfortable seating and accompanies your kitchen. We like to think of it as your kitchen’s own personal living space. A keeping room provides space for your friends, family and guests to sit and socialise before dinner, and offers you a comfortable place in which to relax and unwind.

The keeping room is a separate space, either connected to or positioned opposite your kitchen. This means that whoever is cooking doesn’t feel completely cut off but ensures that they’re able to prepare food and drinks in a chaos-free environment.

Where did the idea of a keeping room emerge? 

The keeping room emerged as a concept in New England, USA. They were designed to be cosy spaces that could be used to spend time with family and enjoy hobbies, and were positioned close to a home’s main fireplace for warmth.

But as heating systems evolved, more formal living and dining spaces started to grow in popularity, and the keeping room simply fell out of fashion. Then the trend for open-plan kitchen and dining areas really took off, and the keeping room simply disappeared from homes altogether. 

The keeping room is making a comeback

As more homeowners seek spaces that encourage and support connection and shared hobbies, the keeping room is finally making a well-deserved comeback.

Situated at the heart of the home but without encroaching into your cooking and dining spaces, the keeping room could be an ideal addition to your home if you’re eager to create a dedicated space for your family to connect, gather and spend quality time together.

Connect your kitchen and keeping room with smart design 

Whether your keeping room sits opposite your kitchen or is directly connected to it, creating a sense of cohesion between these two spaces using colour, pattern or texture will ensure the downstairs of your home flows seamlessly. 

One of the most successful ways to create this sense of connection is to choose kitchen cupboard doors and keeping room seating that share a similar style, as this will allow you the flexibility to give each space its own distinct personality.

If your property is more traditional in style, our panelled Bella Aldridge kitchen cupboard doors have plenty of charm and will sit beautifully alongside a button back or Chesterfield sofa. 

For a more modern property, our Bella Knebworth handleless kitchen cupboard doors have a sleek profile that will complement a contemporary seating area with clean lines and a simple colour palette.

Pro Tip: Even something as simple as matching the colour of your kitchen cupboard doors to the wall colour or plush sofa in your keeping room can be enough to forge a sense of connection between these two important spaces.

Prioritise comfort 

Keeping rooms should be intimate spaces that are cosy and supremely comfortable, so we recommend prioritising comfort through your choice of seating and accessories, including cushions, blankets and rugs. It’s also a space that should feel inviting, so incorporate comfort in other ways by surrounding yourself with photographs, artwork and ornaments that reflect your tastes.

Pro Tip: Lighting can make a huge difference to both the feel and functionality of your keeping room. If you want to watch movies in your space, choose curtains that will block out the light for an immersive experience. Similarly, if you want to pursue hobbies in your keeping room, position spotlights, wall lights and table lights strategically to support this.

Connect your kitchen and keeping room with Happy Doors kitchen cupboard doors 

From Shaker style kitchen cupboard doors to more modern styles, we can help you design your dream home. Please give us a call on 0345 257 2526 or email hello@happy-doors.co.uk.