Comfortable seating areas seem to speak to the entertainment aspect of cooking and eating. We know our guests and family will naturally gather in the kitchen, so we want them to be comfortable. And we want them to have a designated spot to sit so they have a good view of the “performance.”

A banquette—built-in bench seating teamed with a table and often several chairs—is a popular choice for eating areas within or near the kitchen. Typically, it requires less space than a table-and-chairs set and can provide extra storage, as is the case with this L-shape unit.