Cosy kitchen-diner seating areas for a restaurant-like atmosphere
Posted on 25th February 2025
Planning a kitchen refresh? Take inspiration from your favourite restaurant and bring that intimate dining booth look and feeling home with these cosy seating ideas…
I remember when the craze was to have as many barstools around an island as possible. But now? It’s all about the cosy banquette or booth. Whether that’s on the island, or in its own distinct dining nook. “The trend for incorporating more casual, cosy seating spaces in kitchens has become a key part of kitchen design for a lot of homeowners,” says Emily Pickett, designer at Kitchens by Holloways.
“We have noticed a shift towards the desire for more casual, intimate spaces being integrated into the design – think upholstered window seats and even sofa areas becoming a part of the kitchen space as opposed to a completely separate zone.”
Jessica Inglis, brand manager at Second Nature, agrees and adds, “Booth seating is becoming increasingly common in kitchen layouts, offering a cosy and space-efficient solution for dining and socialising with loved ones. Inspired by restaurant-style seating, booths provide a casual, intimate atmosphere that encourages conversation and togetherness, making them ideal for family meals and entertaining guests.
“They are also great for maximising space, especially in kitchens which feature awkward corners or bay windows. Booths can also add an element of personalisation and texture to kitchens via the use of cushions and throws.”
To get you inspired to create your own distinct dining area, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite designs…
Inspiration galley
A custom-designed and built in-frame, painted timber kitchen with walnut stain by Blakes London with an integrated vegan leather banquette seat. Blakes London kitchens start from £50,000.A curved banquette was designed at the end of this island – the ideal spot to relax, enjoy morning tea and coffee or read an issue of KBB. Design by Kitchens by Holloways.Enjoy that charming dining booth feeling at home with stylish banquette seating. Nickleby in Wellington with bespoke handles in Dark Bronze Waxed finish by Humphrey Munson. Kitchens start from £75,000, excluding appliances. Martin Moore’s New Classic cabinetry painted in Chalky Grey. The pale blue cupboard interiors provide a visual link with the cosy dining area. Kitchens start from £45,000. Shaker kitchen from £35,000, John Lewis of Hungerford.For this beautiful mews house in Notting Hill, Kate Feather created a cosy yet functional kitchen, incorporating clever ways to hide away appliances within the small space.Design by Nigel Hunt at Neptune Suffolk. Kitchen in Ink, from £12,500.Victoria Covell Interiors created a bespoke, multi-functional banquette which provides cosy seating as well as ample storage. Photography: Anna Stathaki.Tillingham by Davonport, from £40,000. The island painted in Farrow & Ball’s Wevet and Hague Blue.Create a cosy seating area in your kitchen and enjoy breakfast in style every morning. Design by Pringle & Pringle featuring the Cornish Slate Tectonic Oak Chevron, £165.91 per sq m, from Chaunceys Timber Flooring. Photography: Alexander James.Signature bespoke in-frame Shaker kitchen with a curved dining area by Searle & Taylor. Bespoke kitchens start from £40,000. Photography: Paul Craig.
