OPTIMIZE YOUR SPACE IN STYLE WITH A BOOTH

Unless you own a house far from the city and its surrounding area, there’s a chance your kitchen is on the small side. And probably your dining room too, if you have one. But we all love hosting loved ones in a nurturing space. 

Despite kitchens with restricted capacity, many of us still like to share food with our people. The Steam team wants you to rethink the dining area in a way that is both aesthetic and downright convenient. Say hello to the booth!

A Short History of the Booth

Some might think the booth’s origin story is a bit scandalous. We know we can credit England for it: back in the day, the British just loved their privacy. 

Whether at the opera house or at church, family and other groups of people wanted a way to proclaim their social status while preserving the intimacy they craved. To do this, they often sat in “boxes,” away from the commoners. 

Then, when restaurants started to appear late in the 18th century, it was only natural that some of these fine establishments also offered seating options that would give their richer clients some privacy. There you have it: the beginning of booths, which at the time looked more like a cabin.

Not so scandalous so far. 

We have the US to thank for the saucy side. Trying to exceed their customers' expectations, some restaurants started to provide cabin-like booths dressed with velvet curtains. Convinced something fishy was going on inside these private spaces, many states decided to ban the curtains. 

When Prohibition hit, cabins slowly transitioned to booths as we know them, with higher backrests.

Today’s Booth

Nowadays, booths don’t offer much privacy anymore. But they are a nice, comfortable seating option that saves space. In the kitchen or the dining room, discover this Steam team favourite and fall in love with a classic.

The Friendly Booth

Usually seen in a restaurant, the half-circle is still a great design for homes. Our team simply loves this shape since it’s easy to play with to build a unique kitchen space. Definitely friendly, this style allows you to optimize any alcove and create a welcoming ambiance. Whether you prefer a padded model or a modern wooden bench, there’s no better way to converse than when looking your guests straight in the eye!

The Romantic Booth

A booth might help us be better hosts, but it can also provide a romantic spot to eat! Two benches facing each other in the kitchen give you an intimate dining area. Candle-lit dinners and sweet Sunday brunches will be yours to enjoy.

The Practical Booth

Butted right up against the wall, this sometimes modest, sometimes grandiose booth is a great way to optimize the space you have. If you don’t have a dining room, it’s a nice way to divide the kitchen, and if you have one, then you can add furniture, for example, a minibar or a Welsh dresser. At Steam Cuisine, we love adding drawers under the bench to add some storage. While wood is always elegant, fabrics can create a lively contrast and bring some vibrancy to your decor.

The Wide Booth

Do you have a big family? A large circle of friends? The L-shaped booth might be the solution you need to seat all these beautiful people. While we often see this shape up against a wall, you could also take the opportunity to enlarge your kitchen island area, or simply highlight it.

Planning to add a booth to your kitchen? Check out our projects for more inspiration, or contact our team to discuss our custom options!