Permanent seating in kitchens isn't a new idea, but banquettes are creeping back into interior design, adding elements of comfort and quirkiness to kitchens. While a banquette won't suit every kitchen, and you do need a certain amount of space to accommodate one, according to cabinet maker Andrew Cook they make a great space-saving option.
"With a standard table and chairs, you need at least a one-metre clearance all around so that people can push their chairs in and out comfortably," he says. "But when you're using a built-in bench, the table can be quite close because the seating doesn't need to move anywhere."