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From cooking to connecting: A communal kitchen with trolley and open shelving

With a bit of creativity, your communal kitchen can do it all – balancing function and fun. By day, it’s the perfect spot to tackle cooking and chores. By evening, it transforms into a welcoming social space where meals are prepared and enjoyed together. From compact trolleys that keep essentials mobile to an open shelving kitchen that encourages sharing, small design choices can enhance both function and flow.

Video: A film showing an orderly kitchen and livingroom space suddenly being transformed into a lively dining area with people.

Welcome everyone to your communal kitchen

Simple, affordable tweaks can make your communal kitchen guest-friendly and comfortable for everyone. Consider adding stackable seating, like the IBBARBO stool, which helps you save valuable space when they’re not in use. Another idea is to break the conventional rules and introduce a sofa for a cosy, laid-back vibe. Your sofa can also double as extra seating at the dining table when needed, providing flexibility for gatherings.

A person is standing by three dark grey IBBARBO stools stacked on each other, holding a fourth one slightly above the rest.
Four people at a table, each holding an IKEA 365+ goblet filled with drinks, reaching towards one another for a toast.

Take a moment to assess what you already have in your home. Between you and your housemates, you may already own pieces that can be creatively reused. Think of it as following your own recipe to transform your kitchen. By making the most of what you already own, you can make sure that your belongings and space work for you, creating an environment that’s practical, inviting, and uniquely yours.

A person is sitting comfortably in a bright orange LINDÅKRA 2-seat sofa-bed with legs up and a laptop in their lap.
Four people are preparing for a meal in a lively kitchen. One person leans over a white VIHALS table, placing food on it.

More connection, less perfection

Co-living is all about everyone bringing a little something to the table – literally. For instance, try pushing all your tables together to create a shared co-working space that works for studying, playing games, or enjoying lunch together. Your communal kitchen can become a space where everyone gathers to connect while still doing their own thing.

Video: A film showing people sitting around a combination of tables doing different things – reading, working, eating, and talking.

Storage made simple: Ideas for a communal kitchen

Sharing a kitchen and need more space for your belongings? Discover creative ways to make the most of what you’ve got. KUNGSFORS rails and hooks can transform wall space into handy storage for utensils, tea towels, or even your guitar. Cabinets and open shelving kitchen setups provide room for everything from glassware and vases to your vinyl collection. 

Or opt for a versatile trolley like NISSAFORS, perfect for keeping your essentials together and easily rolling them wherever you need. In this communal kitchen, everyone has their own dedicated trolley, neatly parked together for a tidy and organised space.

A tiled reddish-brown wall with various kitchen utensils, fruit, instruments, and other items hung on KUNGSFORS rails.

A LÅDMAKARE storage with cabinets with sliding doors stands by a reddish-brown wall, its shelves filled with various items.
A person is placing the needle on a record on an old record player sitting on the top shelf of a white NISSAFORS trolley.

The best parties always happen in the kitchen, don’t they?

Ok, maybe cleaning up after the dinner party isn’t everyone’s idea of fun – but it’s often an underrated part of the experience. It’s the perfect opportunity to work together, share in the small tasks, and create a moment where conversation flows naturally and everyone feels involved. There’s something special about those late-night sessions of clearing away plates and dishwashing together. You get to laugh about the night’s events and bond over shared experiences. It’s all part of the magic of the evening.

A person sits on a kitchen worktop, looking at another person facing the worktop with a RINNIG tea towel in the back pocket.