Design Notes
Seating is a crucial element in the kitchen, as it serves as the primary hub for nearly all activities that occur 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, as well as creating an environment just right for connecting with others. Ensuring there is ample room for everyone can be a challenge for both large and small kitchens, as you cannot simply add a chair or barstool wherever you want. Kitchen islands are a great place for incorporating extra seating options, but built-in seating, often referred to as banquettes, is a wonderful way to gain seats with style. Let’s discuss the benefits of incorporating built-in kitchen seating and explore ideas on how to integrate it into your design.
Benefits of Built-In Seating
Storage and square footage are two crucial factors to consider when designing a kitchen. Whether space is ample or limited, both need to be utilized effectively to maximize their usage. Storage is a key component, as it provides a place to keep things organized and can also be customized to serve multiple functions, such as a beverage or cooking station. Incorporating built-in seating into the kitchen allows you to gain not only seating but also extra storage, as well as maximize the 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 having a banquette built there, as it doesn’t take up valuable floor space and provides the perfect spot for kids to sit comfortably and do their homework. A custom bench seating like that also means you can 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 together. This option can also be used on walls with windows, as the bench will be directly beneath, allowing you to enjoy the natural light while sipping your morning coffee. Adding built-in seating to your kitchen, regardless of its size, ensures there will always be enough seats and space for the things that matter.
Built-In Seating Design Ideas
Typical areas for placing built-in seating are beneath kitchen windows or in corners, as these are often the least-used spots in the kitchen for cabinet design. Window seating is one of the ideal choices as the distance between the windows and the floor is the perfect height for seating. It also won’t hinder the natural light from coming in, plus this option can act as a bridge between a cabinet gap from one wall to the next, unifying the design. For those who enjoy thinking outside the box, consider opting for a floating bench. This look is more contemporary, and it doesn’t mean you have to lose storage; simply place some fun boxes or baskets underneath to complete the look. Did we mention that it’s also pretty easy to clean underneath this? If you have a small nook in your kitchen, you can have two benches built-in across from each other with room for a table between. 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 including a simple bookshelf tucked inside the wall itself, as it won’t interfere with headspace but can increase your storage for books, whether they are family recipes or your favorite genre you enjoy reading in the morning. There are numerous possibilities to create a unique and wonderful seating space in your kitchen by incorporating built-ins, so be sure to discuss this with your designer during your renovation.
Built-In Design Tips
Once you have chosen your spot and finalized your built-in design option, there are a few other things that need to be selected before it can be considered complete. Extra lighting is essential if you are building in a kitchen corner without windows. You can pick wall sconces that can be placed where the head won’t bump into them, or have an elegant chandelier that hangs from above. It can be one piece or a collection of smaller ones. Remember, light fixtures are their own work of art 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 helps keep things looking bigger and brighter, which is key to this space. If color, however, is an important aspect of the design, you can add a few pops of color through the bench cushion. Tables are another key element, featuring built-in seating, and can vary in size depending on the kitchen’s square footage. They are also not limited in shape to just a rectangle or square; round has now become an option, and they can be rustic like a live-edge or ornate with elegant patterns. Round does have one advantage: 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
When it comes to the kitchen, there should always be room for one more, and built-in seating gives you the ability to increase your capacity by just a little more. Even if you have only a limited number of designated spots, there is always the option to add a chair to the outside of the table, swap out chairs for a bench, or simply add one more. They also make the perfect informal spot to gather for Saturday morning breakfast with the family, and it can make it feel more intimate as well. This “sets the table” for instant connection, which is something many homeowners are looking to achieve more in their homes today. They are also a very versatile design option since they can be built to adapt to just about any layout, whether that 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 just increased. They are a practical option that is worth discussing with your designer, so be sure to bring it up at your next meeting.
Since the invention of the light bulb, we have been able to brighten up our homes at any time of day. It has been great to eliminate shadows in areas where there are limited windows or even none at all, and allowed us to achieve more in a 24-hour period. Light fixtures have also developed from being just a practical tool into works of art, giving homeowners the chance to express themselves and add a touch of elegance to any room. Changing out a light fixture can completely alter or transform a room, and with so many sizes and styles, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. As we approach the close of another year, new home lighting trends for 2022 could provide helpful information for selecting your next light fixture that will perfectly illuminate your home.
Greenbrook DesignEvery area of the home has a purpose, a specific role to play in running a house smoothly, whether that is the living room where we relax or the bathroom where we get ready for the day. The kitchen is a place of preparation, the space where we go to cook for our family, but it is the dining room where it is served and enjoyed. This is the space within the home that gives families a designated area to gather around and dine together, as well as for activities like homework, bills, and fun things like family game night. It is a multifunctional space, which means it deserves some extra attention when selecting decor pieces. Let’s talk about the many elements you can use to give the dining room the love and beauty it deserves.
Greenbrook DesignThe world of interior design has run the full gamut of trends, from minimal to over-the-top and back again. Your home is meant to be your happy place, and a good design can affect the atmosphere. There are multiple styles to choose from, including modern, traditional, farmhouse, and transitional. Each possesses characteristics that make them unique in their own way, but sometimes what is offered is not enough, which is where the term mixology comes in, and no, we are not referring to the mixing of cocktails. There is a beauty when mixing and matching design styles, cabinets, and furnishings to create a space that perfectly reflects you. For a long time, designers were taught that things needed to remain within a certain realm of style in order for them to look good, but over the past few years, those boundaries have been broken down to make way for homeowners to express themselves in their own way. Out of this, there have been some new terms used to describe the shift in styles, such as grand millennial. If you like a few elements from multiple styles, then mixology may be your new best friend.
Walker Woodworking Is Biophilia Design For You? We love the looks nature inspires, which is why we have multiple products available for you to browse inside our showroom. From unique artwork to furniture pieces, we invite you to visit us and spend time browsing our 5,000 square foot showroom located in charming Uptown Shelby and find the inspiration you’ve been looking for to create the perfect environment in your home.
The world of design draws on multiple elements to create the perfect space for homeowners, a place that represents them and their particular style. Color plays a vital role in the design process, and its effects go beyond just adding a splash to the room. Color can affect our mood, communicate a message, lessen eye strain, and even play a part in remembering certain events. It also has the ability to influence the size of a room with certain colors, causing the area to feel larger, while other shades create a more intimate feel. Color selection can be a fun and rewarding process, plus it provides you with a great way to tell your story. More homeowners are discovering the beauty of contrasting colors, and this choice is gaining popularity in the design world. From two-toned kitchens to opposites in cabinets and tile, contrasting colors can spice up your design and make a stunning statement. Let’s explore more about what contrasting colors are and how they can help you tell your story.
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