The kitchen is where families gather, and there are many bespoke kitchen seating options for the modern kitchen design. Whether you have an open-plan space or simply a kitchen-diner, adding a dining table in the kitchen is a popular choice with existing and new clients. For some households, the kitchen seating area serves as the main dining space. For others, it offers a more relaxed alternative to a formal dining room elsewhere in the house.
At The Handmade Kitchen Company, we design kitchens that support the way people live. From breakfast bars and pedestal tables to banquette seating and traditional dining tables, each seating option can be tailored to suit your space, lifestyle and personal style.
In this blog, we explore how each of these seating areas can transform your kitchen, with some great examples too.
The Four Main Types of Bespoke Kitchen Seating
In short, there are four seating formats we design into a bespoke kitchen most often: a breakfast bar built into an island or peninsula, a pedestal table on a single central base, fitted banquette seating with hidden storage underneath, and a separate dining table. The right one depends on the floor area you have, the way your household actually eats, and the feel you want the room to have.
The Breakfast Bar
You can find a breakfast bar as part of a kitchen island or on a peninsula, and it is a very common feature in the 21st-century hub of the home. Many of our clients have opted for this seating option as a stand-alone formal dining area or an additional table for the family to gather throughout the day. You can opt for a spectacular centrepiece in the kitchen, which is also highly functional.
A well-designed breakfast bar encourages interaction while cooking. Family members can sit comfortably while meals are being prepared, and children can sit here on busy mornings. Many of our clients enjoy using the breakfast bar as an evening social space, for a glass of wine, a conversation with friends, or to relax and unwind after a long day.
Because every HMK kitchen is bespoke, we can tailor the proportions, materials and layout to suit both the room and people using it.
A perfect breakfast bar sits in the middle of this Woodford Green lavish island. Illuminated with LED lighting, it’s warm and inviting for anyone who enters this open-plan space.
At the heart of this Kensington kitchen lies a beautifully designed peninsula that gently defines the space. The peninsula opens the kitchen into a seamless, flowing environment, providing seating for two and perfect for a relaxed breakfast bar.
The Pedestal Table
When space is limited or you want a softer approach, a pedestal table offers a beautiful alternative. The pedestal table is supported by a central base, allowing chairs to move easily around it. It’s a simple structure that creates a more open and flexible dining experience.
We have thoughtfully integrated multiple pedestal tables into our bespoke kitchen designs, alongside an island. Their circular shape naturally encourages conversation and connection.
From a design perspective, pedestal tables also introduce an elegant focal point and are crafted in natural timber to complement the surrounding cabinetry. They are then finished with a stone to match the worktops or a solid oak surface.
As we take a closer look at the island in this Epping home, it’s clear this is the true heart of the space. The standout detail is the pedestal beneath the island, beautifully clad in marble. Long associated with luxury and sophistication, the marble instantly elevates the overall design.
In the Welwyn project, the island design softens the linear layout by extending into a beautifully curved pedestal table, positioned slightly higher than the island surface to create a dedicated social seating area. Arranged in a circular formation, the chairs offer generous space.
The statement kitchen island in this Essex property is a standout piece that truly elevates the way our clients entertain. The island is the perfect setting for memorable gatherings. Stool seating was an important feature for the family, arranged to flow around the circular pedestal table at the end of the island for a highly sociable and welcoming cooking environment.
The Banquette
Banquettes are truly bespoke and fitted within the handmade kitchen. They can be formed into benches or curved family seating where luxury fabrics can be added and handcrafted in your choice of solid timber, either to match the kitchen or an alternative look. We have many clients opting for this form of seating to be designed into the available space. It’s a much cosier way to dine.
One of the greatest advantages of banquette seating is its efficiency. It maximises seating while taking up less floor space than traditional dining chairs. It’s also the perfect opportunity to incorporate hidden storage beneath the seats.
Because our kitchens and seating are truly bespoke, we can design banquettes specifically for you and your needs. Choose from curved, straight, large or small, and decide whether they’re going to be used for intimate gatherings or larger occasions.
Adding a distinctive feature to this space, set against its incredible views, is the stunning banquette seating we designed for this home in Great Eversden. Its gentle curves and inviting comfort draw inspiration from the family’s favourite bistro restaurant, creating a relaxed and welcoming place where friends and family can gather and make lasting memories.
A striking feature in our Orsett, Essex project is the integrated booth seating built into the island. Positioned at the heart of the home, it perfectly balances entertainment and relaxation. The comfortable bench wraps around a beautifully crafted bespoke pedestal table, creating a welcoming space for the whole family.
Enhancing the kitchen design in this Kensington home is a beautifully crafted banquette. Our client chose this solution for its inviting style and relaxed feel, creating a lovely spot to sit, unwind, and entertain. As the space didn’t allow for a kitchen island, the banquette offered the perfect alternative, introducing a social seating area without overwhelming the room.
The Dining Table
If you are lucky enough to have room for a separate dining table in your dream kitchen, we are envious of you. It allows for a clear division between the cooking and dining spaces, offering different seating areas for you and your family. It’s the perfect place to host dinner parties if you don’t want your primary cooking area to be interrupted by guests.
The only drawback of a dining table added to the kitchen space is the amount of room required to make it work. If you are limited, position a bench along one wall to reduce the footprint while still offering generous seating.
Celebrating craftsmanship and timeless materials, this full-stave Black American Walnut dining table in Ingatestone features a striking 38mm thick top that highlights the natural beauty of the timber. With its rich tones and carefully considered detailing, this generously sized table creates a wonderful focal point within the open-plan space. Positioned to define the dining area while remaining connected to the rest of the home, it is the perfect setting for memorable occasions.
This distinctive dining table measures 2 metres in length and 900mm in width, featuring a beautifully crafted 38mm thick full-plank oak top. The solid oak H-frame base adds strength and character, while its robust proportions perfectly complement the exposed timber beams of this traditional property in Stebbing. Designed to seat six comfortably, the table brings a warm, sociable atmosphere to the heart of the home.
Designing a Seating Area That Works for You and Your Home
Every household uses its kitchen differently, and our different seating solutions are designed to work with your lifestyle. Some families prefer the relaxed feel, while others love comfort. Even some kitchens combine several seating options to create a layered and versatile space.
Bespoke Kitchen Seating FAQs
What is the best seating option for a small kitchen?
A banquette is usually the most efficient option for a small kitchen. Because it is fitted, you don’t lose floor space to chair backs and legs, and we can build hidden storage into the base. A breakfast bar on a peninsula is the next best option where there isn’t the floor area for a banquette.
Can a banquette include hidden storage?
Yes. Bespoke banquettes are typically built with drawers, lift-up lids or pull-out mechanisms underneath, giving you the full footprint of the seat as additional storage for table linen, less-used pots and pans, board games or shoes if it sits near the back door.
How big should a kitchen dining table be?
As a guide, a six-seater table sits comfortably at around 2 metres long by 900mm wide. We size each handcrafted table to the room rather than picking a standard size off a shelf, so the proportions match the cabinetry, the island and the way you actually entertain.
Can I combine more than one type of kitchen seating?
Yes, and many of our clients do. A common combination is a breakfast bar on the island for everyday meals plus a separate dining table or banquette for longer sit-down occasions, giving the kitchen both a quick perch and a proper gathering spot.
Where does The Handmade Kitchen Company design seating areas?
We design and hand-build bespoke kitchen seating from our Hertfordshire workshop, for clients across Hertfordshire, Essex, London and the surrounding counties. Recent projects featuring fitted seating include Woodford Green, Kensington, Epping, Welwyn Garden City, Great Eversden, Orsett, Ingatestone and Stebbing.
Related blogs:
Bespoke Handmade Banquette Seating
Front-Row Living: The Kitchen Island With a View
Rooted in Tradition & Designed for Today: Our Handcrafted Dining Tables
Including your Dining Table in your Dream Kitchen Space
Handmade Pedestal Tables at The Handmade Kitchen Company
At The Handmade Kitchen Company, we design seating areas that feel completely natural within your kitchen. Our result is a kitchen that looks beautiful in every way with a seating area where people can gather, share meals and conversation and enjoy each other’s company. Contact us today for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.
