I Can’t Believe How This IKEA Kids' Find Created a Chic Dining Space

Cullen Ormond
·2 min read
Overview of apartment kitchen and dining nook from the living room couch
Credit: Esther Rzeplinski Credit: Esther Rzeplinski

Just because a home has smaller square footage doesn’t mean the people living in it should sacrifice functionality or miss out on elements that larger spaces have (just look at these people who make the most of 150 square feet!). Esther Rzeplinski’s 400-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment in Canada is another example that proves just that.

Bench with grey cushion and mustard velvet pillow near white round table and hanging shelves above
Credit: Esther Rzeplinski Credit: Esther Rzeplinski

Thanks to thoughtful planning and clever storage solutions, Esther’s apartment feels spacious. She’s also found a way to get all the amenities of a larger home — like her banquette dining area. Esther noted that the previous homeowners “underutilized the corner” and she wanted to make the space feel “cozier.” After searching house tours for inspiration, she knew she wanted to put some sort of dining bench in the corner next to her tulip table.

Bench with grey cushion and mustard velvet pillow near white round table
Credit: Esther Rzeplinski Credit: Esther Rzeplinski

What ended up there was somewhat unexpected. “When I was visiting a friend I sat on her daughter’s toy bench in a window nook and had a stroke of inspiration. She told me she got it from IKEA and, after measuring, I decided it would be perfect (and it included storage to boot!),” Esther explains.

Under bench roll out storage with games
Credit: Esther Rzeplinski Credit: Esther Rzeplinski

The banquette seating isn’t just functional with the extra storage; it’s also comfortable. Esther cut off the top of a POÄNG armchair cushion to create a bolster for comfort and then trimmed the inner foam to ensure that the cushion fit the size of the bench. Double-sided carpet tape came in handy to ensure that the cushion stuck to the bench.

Black cat sitting on bench with grey cushion and mustard velvet pillow near white round table
Credit: Esther Rzeplinski Credit: Esther Rzeplinski

The final result looks like the bench was always supposed to be there — it’s the perfect size. Another bonus? It was relatively inexpensive — totaling just over $200. (Esther’s aunt gave her the tape to use for free.) “I really enjoy working, eating, and journaling in my dining nook,” she explains. “My cat also loves lounging on the bench. Inside the bench I store all the cat toys and paraphernalia, office supplies, games, and puzzles. The bench is super deep and serves as valuable storage in my 400-square-foot apartment.”

The IKEA bench isn’t the only clever feature in Esther’s home. To see more, visit the full home tour.

Further Reading

We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need

Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture

We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need

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