Why Have Built-In Seating In Your Kitchen?

Consumer Information

Why Have Built-In Seating In Your Kitchen?

Seating is an important element in the kitchen since it is the main hub for most daily activities in the home. Having a place to sit and talk while dinner is being made or to enjoy that morning cup of coffee makes the kitchen that much more inviting and creates an environment just right for connecting with others. Ensuring ample room for everyone can be a challenge for both large and small kitchens since you can’t just add a chair or barstool wherever you want. Kitchen islands are a great place to add extra seating, but built-in seating, often called banquettes, is a wonderful way to add seating with style. Let’s discuss the benefits of including built-in seating in your kitchen and explore ways to incorporate it into your design.

Benefits of Built-In Seating

Storage and square footage are two important factors in kitchen design. Whether space is ample or limited, both must be utilized correctly to maximize their use. Storage is a key component as it provides a place to keep things organized, plus it can be customized to serve several functions, like a beverage or cooking station. Incorporating built-in seating into the kitchen allows you to gain seating, extra storage, and better use of your overall space. This feature truly shines in corners or along a walled section in the kitchen. If you have a corner, consider installing a banquette there, since it doesn’t take up valuable floor space and provides a comfortable spot for kids to do their homework. A custom bench seat like that also lets you make it hollow inside, with a lid for added storage. You can keep things like reusable grocery bags, large totes, and even table linens all inside for easy access. You can trade out a lid for a drawer that can be placed on the side of the bench, or you can choose to blend them. This option can also be used on walls with windows, since the bench will be directly beneath them, allowing you to enjoy the natural light while sipping your morning cup of joe. Adding built-in seating to your kitchen, no matter its size, ensures there will always be enough seats and space for what matters.

Built-In Seating Design Ideas

The typical place for built-in seating is beneath kitchen windows or in corners, since these are often the least-used spots in the kitchen for cabinet design. Window seating is an ideal choice as the distance between the windows and the floor is the perfect height for seating. It also won’t hinder natural light from coming in. Plus, this option can serve as a bridge across a cabinet gap between one wall and the next, unifying the design. For those who enjoy thinking outside the box, you can opt to do a floating bench. This look is more contemporary and doesn’t mean you have to lose storage, just place some fun boxes or baskets underneath to complete the look. Did we mention that it is pretty easy to clean underneath this, too? If you have a small nook in your kitchen, you can place two benches across from each other, leaving room for a table. This look is definitely a cozy one and instantly makes connecting with family and friends easier. If you have a wall directly behind the built-in seating, consider adding a simple bookshelf tucked into the wall. It won’t interfere with head space, but it can increase your book storage, whether they are family recipes or your favorite genre you enjoy reading in the morning. There are many ways to create a unique and wonderful seating space in your kitchen using built-ins, so be sure to talk to your designer about including this in your renovation.

Built-In Design Tips

Once you have chosen your spot and finalized your built-in design option, a few other things need to be selected before it can be considered complete. Extra lighting is a must if you are building in a kitchen corner that is without windows. You can pick wall sconces that are out of the way of the head, or an elegant chandelier that hangs from above. It can be one piece or a collection of smaller ones. Remember, light fixtures are works of art in their own right and can add an elegant or even fun touch to this space. If your kitchen is smaller, consider using a neutral color palette, as it makes the space appear larger and brighter, which is key to this space. If color is an important aspect of the design, you can add a few pops of color through the bench cushion. Tables are another key element with built-in seating and can vary in size depending on the kitchen’s square footage. They are also not limited to a rectangular or square shape; round is now an option, and they can be rustic, like a live edge, or ornate with elegant patterns. Round does have one advantage, which is easier access; it is not hard to slip in and out of your spot when there is no corner edge to worry about. There is also the added bonus of taking up less space, which is important if the kitchen is on the narrow side.

Built-In Kitchen Seating

In the kitchen, there should always be room for one more, and built-in seating lets you increase your capacity slightly. Even if you have only so many designated spots, there is always the option to add a chair to the outside of the table, swap out chairs for a bench, or just add it too. They also make the perfect informal spot to gather for Saturday morning breakfast with the family, which makes it feel more intimate. This “sets the table” for instant connection, which many homeowners want to achieve more in their homes today. They are also a very versatile design option, as they can be built to fit just about any layout, whether it is a bay window or a small corner. Having built-in seating means no one needs to feel left out, and your kitchen’s functional capacity has just increased. They are a practical option worth discussing with your designer, so be sure to bring them up at your next meeting.

bySierra/onAugust 21, 2022/updatedJanuary 28, 2026/inConsumer Information

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