Make the Most of Your Small Kitchen With Smart Bench Seating

Do you ever feel like your tiny kitchen is bursting at the seams? Between a small table, limited counters, and not nearly enough storage, compact kitchens can be challenging. But bench seating offers clever solutions to maximize every inch in your petite cooking space.

Built-in banquettes, cozy breakfast nooks, and even benches with hidden storage can help you get more function and style from your limited square footage. Read on to discover how to make the most of your small kitchen with smart bench seating ideas.

Maximize Seating and Storage with a Built-In Banquette

One of the biggest benefits of using a kitchen bench in a small space is that it can add seating without gobbling up valuable real estate. Banquette seating is a fantastic option, especially if you have an awkward corner or empty wall space. By building in the bench, you save room that chairs would take up.

An L-shaped bench tucked into a corner maximizes seating capacity. The storage space underneath the bench can also be used to tuck away spare dishware or other kitchen items when not in use.

Consider a Cozy Breakfast Nook

For small kitchens, a breakfast nook with banquette seating provides a defined dining zone. Having a built-in bench, often paired with a small table, creates an inviting spot for casual meals or your morning coffee.

Nooks are also great for open concept kitchens where the dining area flows into the living space. The bench helps delineate a dining area and adds style with its built-in look.

Add Storage with a Bench Seat

Storage is at a premium in petite kitchens. An under-bench storage drawer or lift-up bench seat are excellent options for tucking away items when not in use.

Look for storage benches that allow you to utilize the space under the seat. Hide dishware, placemats, cookbooks, and more. When closed, the bench seating still offers additional seats.

How to Choose the Right Bench Seating

Getting the proportions right is key to creating a functional dining bench area in a small kitchen. Here are some important considerations when selecting seating:

Allow for Circulation and Clearances

You don't want your beautiful bench seating to end up obstructing the kitchen work zone. Be sure to leave adequate clearance from walls, islands, and appliances. Pull the bench at least 15 inches from walls for traffic flow.

For typical bench depth, allow for 36-42 inches from the edge of the table. This gives ample room to sit comfortably. Measure carefully before installing any built-in bench.

Consider Built-In vs. Freestanding

Built-in banquette seating certainly maximizes your space savings. However, a freestanding bench or nook offers flexibility if you ever want to reconfigure your layout.

It comes down to your goals. Do you want permanent seating to customize to your space? Or the ability to move things around occasionally?

Choose an Appropriate Size

When choosing bench dimensions, be sure to allow enough room at the table. As a general rule, allow 24-30 inches per person.

A 48-60 inch bench can fit 2 people, while a 6 foot bench accommodates 3. Measure your space to visualize the right size.

Creative Bench Seating Ideas for Small Kitchens

From built-in banquettes to storage benches, there are lots of innovative ways to incorporate bench seating into your petite kitchen. Consider these creative options:

Corner Banquette

Tuck banquette seating into a corner to instantly add seats and cozy appeal. Customize the size and shape to perfectly fit your unused space.

Breakfast Nook Bench

A classic breakfast nook with bench seating only takes up a fraction of the space of a full dining set.Great for kitchens that eat in frequently.

Under Window Bench

Put that under-window niche to use. A built-in bench with cushions utilizes the space while providing an area to sit.

Storage Bench

A storage bench is the ultimate multi-tasker - you get seating and hidden storage. Lift-up lids or drawer fronts keep items concealed.

In small kitchens, it's all about making the most of every inch. By incorporating built-in benches or banquettes, you can increase seating capacity and storage in your petite cooking space.

So consider bringing bench seating into your tiny kitchen. With smart design and custom sizing, you can create a cozy dining nook that makes use of the attributes of your compact kitchen.