Looking to take your kitchen seating to the next level? Pull up a pew â we reveal whatâs trending and ask the experts to share their tips on creating an inviting space to lounge in.
Regardless of how cosy you make the rest of your home, 99% of the time, whether you like it or not, guests will gravitate and hover in the kitchen. Whether itâs the aroma of food, the promise of a well-deserved drink, or the chance to socialise, the kitchen has been, and always will be, a natural hotspot where people congregate. Which is why kitchen seating is so important â here, KBB journo Charlotte Luxford, breaks down all you need to know…
When I started writing this feature, my original intention was to split it into zones: kitchen seating, dining and living spaces. However, this mission was futile. I think the UK home has evolved even beyond the classic open-plan layout and thereâs an overarching desire among homeowners for fluid, hybrid and space-saving designs that allow one zone to flow into another.
Social hubs
Space efficiency is a huge driving factor when planning a kitchen layout, especially now that an estimated 44% of the nation works from home (at least some of the time). Having break-out spaces to work, means there need to be more seating opportunities, whether thatâs a pull-out desk neatly stowed behind a pocket door; a cosy breakfast bar to perch at (or stand up at if youâre all about ergonomics); or a cosy booth seat thatâs just as good for Teams calls as it is for hanging out with friends.
Weâre also dining and entertaining more at home, with âchefluencersâ on Instagram encouraging us to be adventurous in the kitchen. Plus, thereâs the resurgence of the dinner party culture made popular by the likes of Laura Jackson (@iamlaurajackson), the creator of The Art of Hosting. As a result, thereâs been an uptick in creating intimate dining spaces with a restaurant vibe in the comfort of our own homes.
âA key trend is the incorporation of integrated seating into island designs, such as extended drop-level dining tables, built-in banquettes finished in luxurious yet durable fabrics, and elegantly curved seating paired with matching upholstered bar stools,â says Emily Hicking, designer at Grid Thirteen.
Instead of the conventional open-plan, kitchen-diner layouts where you have island seating and a separate dining table, thereâs a lean towards this two-in-one solution that saves space and creates a super-social hub.
Banquette seating
Adding a banquette to the end of an island, off the back of it, or even tucked within an L-shaped island, are all increasingly popular options â especially curved designs. However, Alex Main of The Main Company points out that curved banquettes are usually best placed at the end of an island, as the deep curve needed for the seating will eat into your potential food preparation space if placed in the middle.
âAlso, ensure you match it with a round or oval-shaped table for a cohesive final look â this use of curves will help this part of the kitchen feel more spacious and improve the overall flow; itâs a good technique for small and large kitchens alike,â says Alex.
Chairs and bar stools
While banquette seating provides an inviting dining experience, Peter Humphrey, design director at Humphrey Munson, believes that informal countertop seating will remain perennially popular. This now often coexists alongside integrated banquettes to provide two sets of versatile seating options for guests.
Meanwhile, these days, rather than one long row of stools, island bar seating is often set on an end corner in an L shape or on a curve to create a more inclusive and sociable layout. In addition, itâs worth noting that although banquettes are comfortable and have oodles of hidden storage potential, thereâs one clear drawback â theyâre fixed to the spot.
âThe traditional option of chairs on both sides of a dining table provides good flexibility â it means that if you have an extendable table, itâs easy to move the table into an area with more space and cater for larger groups of people, plus chairs are a cost-effective âoff-the-shelfâ option compared to bespoke banquettes, which you also canât take away if you move,â argues Edward Ward, director at Studio Werc.
Cocooning nooks
When it comes to âlivingâ spaces within a kitchen, thereâs recently been a shift away from creating one structured âliving zoneâ, with homeowners embracing cosy seating nooks and break-out zones, instead.
With more people sharing the same space at any one time, it feels more essential to have these mini retreats, but also extra-social spots to perch â the rise in the home bar has encouraged the addition of accent seating (think Soho House lobby vibes), while some have even gone as far as to incorporate 1970s-inspired âconversation pitsâ to create super-sociable hang-out spaces.
âA spot for reading or reflection is often high on our clientsâ wishlists â oriel windows can be a great way of creating an extra nook with a greater connection to the garden,â says Sara Moody, founder of Shacklewell Architects. âWe are also big fans of sunken living areas; digging down gives extra head height but also helps to zone a space without blocking flow and valuable garden views.â
Whatever your vibe, thereâs more flexibility and versatility when it comes to seating design than ever before. So, it pays to think outside the box and speak with your kitchen designer early on to see what the possibilities are and how you can maximise your layout.
Top tips for planning your seating:
Consider the purpose
Make sure to plan your seating early so that it aligns with your furniture and various zones within your space. Then think about what you will need it for â are you looking for a banquette for casual dining, a sunken living area for entertaining or a dining table with seats as an extension of your island? And how many people do you aim to accommodate? All this will determine the design and look of your seating. Finally, factor in the style of the overall space (is it modern or traditional?) to select colours and materials accordingly.
Size and form are important
You and your guests will probably be spending a lot of time in your chosen seating set-ups so you will need to ensure they are comfortable enough, and that the seat height is appropriate. Most counter-height stools are between 65cm and 75cm high, while the standard dimensions for banquette seating are 45cm to 50cm for the seat depth and height, and 30cm to 45 cm for the back height. Plus, leave enough room to move around them, ensuring they donât obstruct walkways.
Make it last
Choose quality, long-lasting materials such as leather, vinyl and 100% cotton to upholster your chairs or banquette and create a durable seating corner. Also, as your needs are bound to evolve through the years, itâs good sense to opt for versatile solutions such as modular pieces that will contribute to your seatingâs longevity.
Spotted on social
Enjoyed this post? Click here for kitchen island with seating ideas for the whole family
About Post Author
