How Bespoke Banquette Seating Transformed This Open-Plan Family Home

I still remember walking into Anna’s kitchen for the first time and thinking, ah, the classic white gloss kitchen. Bright and modern... but missing some heart. It was something Anna and her family felt too, it just didn’t have much to say. Functional, yes, but not exactly full of character.

Everything technically worked. There was plenty of storage, a breakfast bar, and clear-ish zones for dining and lounging. Yet it all just… existed. The dining table sat marooned opposite the garden doors, because, on paper, that seemed logical, while the snug had quietly become more of a dumping zone than a place to unwind. The open-plan layout wasn’t really working as one cohesive space.

And yet, it had so much promise. The natural light was gorgeous, the structure solid, and the family themselves full of colour and warmth. They also owned some truly fabulous artwork. Big, joyful pieces that deserved a setting with equal personality. In places, they’d already started to introduce colour, but it needed confidence and fully committing to.

So that became the plan: give the space better flow, inject some warmth and personality, and, give it a bit of that “ooh, this feels nice” feeling.

We began with a layout shake-up. The snug and dining areas swapped sides, which sounds simple but completely changed the flow. Suddenly there was room for an L-shaped bespoke banquette. Not just any bench, though. A big pop of sunshine yellow, built-in, storage-hiding, conversation-starting kind of bench. The sort that makes you linger over breakfast long after the tea’s gone cold.

And once that went in, the whole space shifted.

The white gloss cabinets grew up into Aldridge shaker doors in Kombu Green. 

The dark granite worktop stayed (because no one throws out granite on my watch) and was softened with a marble-effect Dekton splashback. 

Along the long wall, the blue De Nimes colour on the panelling linked the dining area to the snug, adding texture and flow.

The palette continued in rich greens and navy, with the ochre chair inspiring more pops of yellow. The artwork suddenly sang against the deeper tones, finally getting the attention it deserved. We layered in brass handles, bronze sockets and ochre blinds so every detail felt intentional but never forced.

The snug, meanwhile, finally earned its name. Deep blue walls, a navy chevron curtain, and a textured jute rug that feels grounded and calm. By day it’s bright and practical... by night, a proper little retreat.

You can see how it’s all come together now. Cohesive, comfortable, and a whole load of fabulous.

That’s what I love about bespoke banquette seating. That corner finally has meaning! A spot that draws people in, anchors the layout, and gives the open-plan space its balance. It’s what gives the room its identity, defining the zone and making it feel complete.

So, if you’ve got a space that feels a bit... “white gloss kitchen,” or a corner that’s crying out for purpose, you know where to find me. From bespoke seating to full design schemes, I help homes find their personality again.

Thanks for reading!

Leisha x