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."

And it’s not just extra seating that you’ll gain from including a permanent bench seat in your design. You’ll also get some valuable storage. "Most people go for a design where the seats lift up, which is a popular option because it’s less expensive to construct," says Andrew. "But if you want something more functional, you can install drawers or even cupboards into the base of the seating and don’t have to dismantle the cushions every time you want to access something. It really depends on what you plan on storing under the bench, so it pays to consider that before you settle on a design."

When it comes to finding the best spot for a banquette, it makes most sense to choose a spot on your floorplan where it won’t interfere with the flow of foot traffic and where, if you wanted to, you could push an extra table up should the need arise. It’s also a good idea to choose a wall that wouldn’t be better used for wall-hung kitchen cabinetry – which is why a spot in front of a window makes sense.

Because you’re having this piece of furniture custom built, you can make sure it suits your ideal measurements down to the last millimetre, but as a guide the bench should be no deeper than 450mm – otherwise it can be difficult to reach a table. And make sure you don’t build the bench too high. Remember that, once you put padding on top, a person’s legs should still be able to fit comfortably under a table. Andrew recommends going no higher than 400mm.