If you have thought out space for a fun pod or learning tower then there is room for a table, there take up about the same floor space. Our toddler table lives in the living room and I'd carry it through to the kitchen when I used it for cooking, not a big deal for us in our set up.
But if space is really tight how about a folding toddler table?
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=435756I expect you could shop around for different styles and price ranges too.
We love our table, I really think it is so worth getting one.
Another thing I've done is used DS's play cooker as a table top to do a bit of cooking on (when it is a last minute idea or a very short session for example he loves to crack eggs but won't be staying to fry one so I let him crack into a bowl, wipe his hands and off he goes). The hobs on the play cooker mean it is not totally flat but it still works ok and I've also popped a large chopping board or serving tray on the top to just give us a flat area. The toy cooker is stored in the kitchen here so it is a good option for these very quick cooking activities.
Oh and I meant to say earlier. I am very mean and don't let DS wash up. I always seem to have too many dangerous items in that area when he wants to do it and even when I've made it all safe for him to wash up he pours water on the floor which I just can't be bothered with. So his washing up days are reserved for when he is a bit older and understands that I really don't want litres of water all over the floor. Water play is limited to bath time for now.