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.
We use it every day but hardly pay any attention to it, yet it can impact the overall design of the home. We are, of course, referring to your flooring, and its importance should not be overlooked or underestimated. It is the largest design element in the home, which means it tends to serve as the foundation of the look and feel in the room. It has the ability to make or break your space and is subconsciously the first thing we notice in a room. Since it is used consistently, it must be durable and functional for the particular area, whether slip-resistant or waterproof. Flooring should also complement the overall design style you choose and be carefully considered before finalizing your choice. Here are some aspects to remember when making your selection.
The kitchen backsplash tends to be overlooked during the planning session for a renovation, but it has a big impact on the overall look of the design, and it should not be underestimated. To many, it may seem like such a small element, but it has the power to bring style, class, and protection to the heart of the home. When walking through a model home or flipping pages in an interior design magazine, the kitchen always has a backsplash that often draws our eye. Coming in multiple sizes, styles, and shades, the kitchen backsplash has come a long way from being a simple surface to creating a glamorous highlight that immediately draws the eye.
Walker WoodworkingThis deficiency has led to a readjustment of space, a call to renovate the home, and to provide a more functional design for everyone. There are also other reasons motivating homeowners to reevaluate their current living situation, such as greater flexibility at home, an open concept, personal space, and plenty of storage. While kitchens and bathrooms are still among the most renovated areas in the home, new emphasis is being placed on four additional sections in the home, which we want to highlight today.
Walker WoodworkingYou love your home, but there are some areas that are no longer working for you, if they ever did at all. You have made the big decision to renovate your kitchen, to give yourself the space you have always envisioned, but it feels overwhelming. How do you know which layout will work best for you? Which style best represents you, and what wood type will pair perfectly with certain colors? The kitchen can be a more difficult renovation because it involves multiple facets, such as plumbing and electrical. Adding in the appliances, lighting, and cabinets decisions can be enough to make your head spin. Planning is a critical part of a kitchen renovation, making it a key area of focus, which is why an experienced designer can help you accomplish your dreams on time and on budget.
James Martin Vanities has not disappointed us but provided many of our clients with a bathroom vanity that suited their unique needs, and the shorter lead times have allowed them to get the upgrades they needed within their timeframe. Our goal will always remain to provide our clients with the best possible products that fit their project, whether that is a custom, semi-custom, or predone option like the James Martin Vanity. We are here to assist you in finding the vanity that works for you, which is why we offer a variety of options. Are you ready for a change? Come visit our showroom where we have multiple vanities available for you to browse, and if you like one, you can take it home with you.
Walker Woodworking 
Walker Woodworking