This Sedona, Arizona travel guide and 3-day itinerary includes where to stay, the best hikes, where to eat, what to pack and more!

With its signature red rocks, gorgeous forests, and vibrant arts and spirituality communities, a Sedona, Arizona road trip should be at the top of your travel itinerary this year.

Located in the Arizona desert — not far from Flagstaff — Sedona can be a relaxing vacation or an active getaway, depending on your travel style. There are great hikes for all abilities and let’s be real… it’s a photographer’s dream destination!

To help plan your trip, I’ve put together the perfect 3-day Sedona, Arizona road trip and hiking itinerary below.

Sedona Travel Guide & 3-Day Itinerary (+ The Best Hiking Trails)

Day 1: Explore The City & Go on a Scenic Drive

Upon arriving in Sedona, you’ll immediately fall in love with how artsy, friendly, and spiritual the city is. Locally known as Main Street District or Uptown, this walkable area is full of new-age shops, restaurants, and fun activities.

I recommend taking a wander through the streets while browsing the shops, getting your palm or tarot cards read at one of the vendors, shopping at the Tlaquepaque arts and crafts village, and grabbing a bite at one of the many restaurants. (I’ve listed out my favorite Sedona Restaurants below!)

From here, hop in your car and go on a scenic drive. While many of the sites in Sedona can be reached by hiking, if you’re only in town for three days then your car is going to be your best friend for checking places off your list.

Some of the best drives in Sedona are the Red Rock Scenic Byway (7.5 miles running from the city perimeter to Interstate 17), Red Rock Loop Road (6 miles that goes past Red Rock State Park, Red Rock Crossing, and Crescent Moon Ranch), and Oak Creek Canyon (State Route 89A that runs from Sedona towards Flagstaff and goes along Oak Creek).

Day 2: Hike the Trails & Go Stargazing

Where your first day was all about getting acquainted with the town, your second day in Sedona will be about hitting the trails. Sedona is home to over 200 hiking trails that cover more than 400 miles, so you’ll have plenty of options.

I’ve mapped out the best hiking trails below, but by far the most popular ones are Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge, Fay Canyon, and the Birthing Cave.

Then, after you’ve had enough exercise for the day and the sun has gone down, go stargazing! You can do this on your own or book a tour, but Sedona is a certified Dark Sky Community and the stars set against the rocky terrain is one of the most beautiful things to see in the world.

Read more: Travel Guide to Tucson, Arizona in a Weekend

Day 3: Visit Slide Rock State Park & Hit the Spa

A state park just 7 miles from downtown Sedona, Slide Rock State Park gets its name from the featured natural water slide.

The park is located in Oak Creek Canyon, and the best things to do here are to take a ride down the 80-foot-long rock slide, grab an inner tube and float down the river, and have a picnic. This place is definitely only for the summer months though (it would be way too chilly other times of year), so make sure you lather up with sunscreen and bring water shoes so that you don’t lose balance on the slippery rocks!

Then, after you’re done having your day out in nature, head back into town and relax at one of the many spas on offer. Some of the most highly-rated are Amara Resort & Spa, Blue Sage Day Spa, and Sedona’s New Day Spa.

Best Hikes in Sedona

Cathedral Rock

A 1-mile out and back trail, the hike to Cathedral Rock will give you some of the best views in Sedona. The trail is rated as moderate-difficult, but the trek is so worth it and should be a priority on your trip. Just make sure to get to the parking lot early in the day as this is a very popular hike.

Fay Canyon

A 2.6-mile out and back trail, Fay Canyon trail is rated as easy and is very popular for casual hikers and families. You’ll find the trailhead just off Boynton Pass Road, and the hike features great rock formations and the Fay Canyon Arch.

The Birthing Cave

The Birthing Cave Trail is a 1.9-mile out and back trek that features a gorgeous cave. The hike is pretty popular and is rated as moderate.

Read more: Havasu Falls Travel Tips – Havasupai Reservation, Arizona

Devils Bridge

Rated as moderate, the Devil’s Bridge Trail has one of the most popular sites in all of Sedona — a scenic sandstone archway. The hike is 3.9 miles out and back.

Soldier Pass

Soldier Pass Trail is a 4.5-mile loop that is rated as moderate-difficult. Some of the highlights of this route include Devil’s Kitchen (a scenic sinkhole), and Seven Sacred Pools.

West Fork Trail

A longer hike, West Fork Trail is a 6.5-mile out and back trail. The hike features a river and is rated as moderate.

Bell Rock

A 1-mile loop, this trail will take you straight to one of Sedona’s most popular sites, Bell Rock. The hike is rated as moderate, although the final climb to Bell Rock is more difficult.

Read more: Havasu Falls Camping Guide (Permits, Hiking Trails, Packing Tips)

Where is Sedona?

Sedona is a central Arizona city located in the Verde Valley, straddling the Coconino and Yavapai Counties. It’s roughly a 2-hour drive from Phoenix and 45-minutes from Flagstaff.

How to Get to Sedona

At 33 miles away, the closest airport to Sedona is Flagstaff, while the second closest (at 120 miles away) is Phoenix. Upon landing, I recommend renting a car to take you to Sedona and the surrounding area, as this really is the best way to see the sites.

There is also a shuttle bus system in Sedona called Verde that will take you around to the major neighborhoods. This does tend to run quite sporadically though, so be prepared to either plan ahead or wait for a ride.

Best Time to Visit Sedona

Wondering the best months to visit Sedona? The most popular time is between March and June when temperatures are moderate and warm but not stifling.

Spring is a great time to visit as the valley will be in full bloom. Alternatively, fall is another great time to visit Sedona. October and November also experience moderate temperatures but with fewer people out on the trails and in the shops than in spring.

Where to Stay in Sedona

Rancho Sedona RV Park

Featuring bathrooms, a dog park, cable TV, Internet, laundry, showers, and horseshoes, Rancho Sedona RV Park will feel like a tranquil home away from home. This peaceful spot is shaded by large trees and is right next door to Oak Creek for easy hiking access.

Verde Ranch RV Resort

For maximum RV Resort luxury, Verde Ranch RV Resort is the place to be. With full-service RV hookup sites and furnished vacation rental cottages on offer, the resort features a heated pool, hot tubs, a general store, cable TV, full bathrooms, internet access, a waterpark, clubhouse, and so much more.

The Wilde Resort and Spa

A luxurious accommodation option, the Wilde Resort and Spa offers an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and an on-site restaurant.

Sedona Village Lodge

A more affordable option, the Sedona Village Lodge offers modern and fresh rooms with great amenities. Ask the front desk for activity options if you’re looking to take a day trip!

Read more: 10 Of The Most Spiritual Places On Earth

Where to Eat in Sedona

Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill

For a great fine dining option with an incredible view, Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill is the place to be. The menu is predominantly South American-inspired with organic, local meat and produce featured.

Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante

If you’re craving fine dining of the Italian variety, then check out Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante. A sister restaurant to Mariposa, this award-winning restaurant places emphasis on sustainability.

The Hudson

For something a little more casual, The Hudson offers American fare and a fun atmosphere. This is another location with incredible views of the surrounding rocks!

What to Pack for a Sedona Road Trip

 
Toiletries: Traveling to sunny Sedona means loading up on sunscreen and bug spray. 

Camera Equipment: Sedona is one of the most beautiful destinations in North America, and you’re going to want to document your trip properly! A GoPro Hero 10 and a float stick are great for the casual photographer.

Water Gear: On the day that you go to Slide Rock State Park, you’re going to want to bring some water gear. Grippy water shoes are a must, but so is a swimsuit, quick-dry towel, and a sun hat.

Assorted Clothing: Hiking during the day means packing hiking shoes, moisture-wicking tops, and leggings. And then for going out to eat, a summer dress and nice sandals should do the trick.

Pin for later!

The post Sedona Travel Guide & The Best Hiking Trails In 2022 appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.

You’ll have heard of the best smart lighting and possibly dismissed it as a fad, but it’s a remarkably convenient mode of home automation. Once installed, you may wonder how you got by without it. It gives you the ability to turn lights on in a futuristic fashion (that is, by ordering them on).

It also allows you to adjust your lighting’s brightness and colour to your liking. You can even control them when you’re out and about – the ideal deterrent for any would-be intruders and just the thing to bulk our your best home security system.

What is smart lighting?

Image credit: Philips Hue

At its core, the best smart lighting is just a special lightbulb with built-in software. This can connect to and control from a smartphone or voice assistant.

‘Conventional light bulbs work by flipping a switch on and off,’ explains Giuliano Ghidini, UK&I Consumer Commercial Leader at Signify. ‘Sometimes they are hardwired into a dimmer switch, allowing you to dim or brighten the lights. However, this is generally the extent of the functionality of traditional home lighting.’

‘Smart lighting on the other hand,’ continues Giuliano, ‘gives you far more control over your lights. They are still connected to your home’s mains power, but each smart bulb and LED-integrated fixture allows you to control it wirelessly with your phone, tablet or smart assistant, such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Apple Home.’

Image credit: Innr

Smart lighting is connected in a variety of ways. While some are connected directly via Bluetooth, other smart lighting systems require something called a bridge. This is basically a separate, central hub from which you link lots of lights or bulbs together via Wi-Fi. This in turn is connected to your smart home system.

‘There are simply different ways of connecting your bulbs,’ explains Giuliano. ‘Philips Hue uses a protocol called Zigbee that connects with the Hue bridge. Zigbee bulbs work on a mesh network principle, with each product acting as a repeater. The more products you have connected, the stronger the signal will be.’

‘With Hue specifically, all new products are both Bluetooth and Bridge compatible – the only differences are the amount of accessories you can have on your system (50 lights and no accessories for Bluetooth, 50 lights and up to 12 accessories for Hue per Bridge), the use of different rooms and the use of additional features such as automation and routines.’

‘Meanwhile,’ adds Giuliano, ‘Philips Smart LED bulbs with WiZ Connected work over WiFi. They have a Bluetooth functionality to ensure a seamless pairing with the app at the time of installation. No bridge is required for our Philips Smart LED range, and the WiZ platform can support up to 200 smart light points in a home.’

What are the benefits of smart lighting?

Image credit: Innr

A smart light can produce a vast amount of colours (literally, millions). But smart lighting doesn’t stop there. It gives you the option of instantly adjusting the brightness of your living room, bedroom or kitchen lighting, as well as choosing from the specific warmth of the light.

It’s super convenient too if you have a wide array of lights set up in a room. Instead of having to switch on every single light source in your home each evening, you can program all of your living room lighting ideas to turn on automatically in a single action.

There’s also the option of scheduling them with specific routines. For example, you can set them to dim gradually as you drift off to sleep and build up in brightness to wake you up gently each morning.

Image credit: Twinkly at Lights4Fun

The majority of smart lights are LED, too, which uses a lot less energy and lasts a whole lot longer than traditional lightbulbs. ‘Smart LED bulbs last much longer and generate less heat than incandescent or CFL light bulbs, thus using less energy,’ explains Giuliano.

‘LED lighting saves up to 90% energy compared to a traditional bulb,’ he continues. ‘When coupled with controls, lighting can be used as per need. For example, if there is no movement detected by the motion sensor, the lights can be programmed to switch off automatically. With this, users can save money on energy bills, depending on use.’

What types of smart lighting are there?

Image credit: Philips Hue

You can invest in a single lightbulb, or branch out into a whole load of smart lighting devices. Philips Hue, the first and arguably most established smart lighting brand in the world, has a wide range of smart lighting for the home. These range from from bulbs and pendants to lamps and outdoor lights. They can be paired with special wireless motion sensors so that the light switches on when any movement is detected.

‘You can install smart accessories like dimmer switches to control your lights, suggest Giuliano. ‘You can also link specific smart lights, like Philips Hue or Philips Smart LED with WiZ Connected, to partners like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home Kit through Bluetooth.’

Smart strip lighting (try Innr or WiZ) is great for lighting architectural details and backlighting shelving, or even zhushing up a teen’s bedroom. Nanoleaf goes the decorative route with its art-inspired smart lighting. Wall-hung panels join together to create a striking focal point that is completely controlled via your smartphone.

Image credit: Philips Hue

Gardens can be lit with a whole host of outdoor lighting ideas, weatherproof smart lights. Choose from uplights and lanterns to handsome exterior wall lights. Come Christmas time, Twinkly’s ingenious smart tree lights come in many shapes and sizes. They can even pulse to the beat of any music playing.

How difficult is it to set up smart lighting?

It’s a pretty straightforward process provided you follow the instructions. As Giuliano explains: ‘Smart lights replace your existing incandescent bulbs. They eliminate the need to rewire your home or hire an electrician to get things going. Simply screw the bulbs into your existing light fittings and connect to WiFi or Bluetooth. Next, install a Hub or Bridge by plugging it into your WiFi router (if required), download the smart app, and enjoy!’

The post Smart lighting – everything you need to know appeared first on Ideal Home.

Homeowners could benefit from an offset mortgage, where your savings account is linked to your mortgage.

One type of home loan that can get overlooked is the offset mortgage, but it can be a great option for many, including those with large saving pots. Since your mortgage is likely to be your biggest monthly outgoing, it’s important to get the best value loan in place.

It’s not just about snapping up the best mortgage rate. There are lots of different types of mortgages available and choosing the right one can be the key to smooth monthly finances.

Here we explain how an offset mortgage works and how to tell if it’s the right option for you.

What is an offset mortgage and how does it work?

This is a unique type of home loan, where your savings account is linked to your mortgage and the balance is offset against the debt. Interest is only charged on the difference.

So the bigger your savings pot, the more money you save on interest – and the quicker you pay off the loan.

Here’s an example of how it works.

If you had £10,000 in savings and offset it against a £150,000 25-year mortgage at 2.5%, you would save £8,170 in interest and see the mortgage repaid almost a year early, according to L&C Mortgages.

Offsetting £20,000 against the same mortgage would save £15,372 in interest and see the mortgage repaid 1 year and 9 months early.

Your savings don’t pay off any of your mortgage, so you still owe the money, but it will lower the overall cost of your loan.

Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, says: ‘Offsets are not as popular as they should be, given the potential benefits. They work well for those with large stable amounts of cash on deposit; you would not be earning much in a savings account so can make your cash work harder by reducing the interest you pay on your mortgage.’

Image credit: Future PLC

What’s the eligibility criteria for an offset mortgage?

A lender will assess affordability in the same way for an offset mortgage as for a regular home loan.

When applying, you will be subject to the same affordability criteria and the property the loan is secured against will go through the same checks.

The amount you intend to offset in savings won’t be factored into affordability calculations by the lender. You will need to prove that you can afford the mortgage and repayments if you had no savings linked to the loan.

This way they can avoid borrowers who try to use it as a route to securing a larger mortgage, use our mortgage calculator to see how much you could borrow.

Pros of an offset mortgage

Essentially, offset mortgages are a good strategy when savings rates are lower than mortgage rates.

Borrowers with decent savings can save hundreds of pounds of interest payments every year because the mortgage rate is higher than the savings rate.

Another plus is that the mortgage is paid off earlier as you pay less interest. It might only be a year or two as in our example above, but every month you shave off the length of the loan will be a welcome bonus when you get close to being mortgage-free.

The more you add to your savings pot, the further you will reduce the mortgage debt that you have to pay interest on.

You’ll have access to your savings whenever you need it.

Having an offset mortgage can also be a tax-efficient use of your savings, particularly for higher and additional-rate taxpayers, who pay more tax on any interest earned in a bank account.

They can also be a useful tool for the self-employed who can use an offset mortgage, rather than a self-employed mortgage, to make the most of savings they have put aside for their next tax bill.
If you receive a bonus you don’t plan to spend or you already have money in a low-interest savings account, then it often makes sense to open an offset account.

Cons of an offset mortgage

Offset loans are more expensive than standard loans. However, the margin today is much smaller with offsets priced closer to mainstream mortgages.

The Loan to Value (LTV) ratio is often lower for offset mortgages than conventional mortgages. It is possible to find loans that only require a 10% deposit, but they are few and far between. The overall availability is smaller than standard loans too, reducing choice.

Image credit: Future PLC/ Douglas Gibb

Does an offset mortgage mean lower repayments?

The more savings you have in your offset account, the less you will pay in interest. Should you draw on your savings, your monthly repayments will be recalculated and will rise.

Can I still dip into my savings with an offset mortgage?

Offset mortgages offer instant access to your savings. This gives you peace of mind that if the boiler needs replacing or if you need a new set of tyres on the car, you can get to your money. Equally it can be drawn on to clear a tax bill, pay for a holiday or even school fees if that’s what the money is for.

Is an offset mortgage a good idea?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer as to which mortgage type is best because everyone’s situation is different. For those lucky enough to have hefty savings, offset is a good option to explore.

David Hollingworth of L&C Mortgages says: ‘With savings rates so low, offset deals are a solid proposition. Most people don’t think to explore this option, but it’s worth doing the sums if you have large savings in cash.’

‘However, since rates on offset will typically be at slightly higher rates, it’s important to make use of the offset features.’

‘If you just need a small amount of overpayment and have only a very small proportion of the mortgage amount in savings you may be better served with a more traditional deal.’

Indeed, you might prefer to take out a standard mortgage with a much cheaper rate and use a fixed rate savings account for some of your money with the rest in an easy access account. Do your sums to see which works best.

Equally, you should take a wider look at your finances. If you have expensive debts – perhaps a large amount owed on your credit card– clearing this can be a better use of cash savings than putting it on deposit, as rates on debt will be far higher.

Do all lenders offer offset mortgages?

Not all lenders offer offset home loans, so your choice of mortgage provider will be more limited than normal.

Some of those that provide offset mortgages are:

• Barclays
• First Direct
• Scottish Widows Bank
• Coventry Building Society
• Yorkshire Building Society

Mark Harris of SPF adds: ‘Borrowers might feel put off by limited availability -and higher pricing – but it’s worth remembering that the effective interest rate paid could be much lower than that on a standard mortgage.’

How do I work out if an offset mortgage is for me?

You could be missing a trick if you don’t do your sums and work out how much you could be saving.

Many providers have offset mortgage calculators on their websites to let you play around with the numbers so you can see how it might work for you.

It can help enormously to use a mortgage broker if you’re unsure about the right deal for you or which lender to approach. Some brokers charge a fee whereas there are some that will arrange your mortgage fee-free. Make sure you understand their charges at the outset.

The post What is an offset mortgage and how does it work? appeared first on Ideal Home.

Kitchens are the hub of every home – a place to cook, gather, entertain and work. Seating can make a huge difference in the success of a scheme, which is why we love working a kitchen booth into designs.

With pretty much any form of kitchen diner ideas, you’ll be looking for ways to easily integrate seating with the other necessities. Booths are a great choice because they add so much flexibility to your space, are a change to add flair, and can save precious space. Plus, if you’re creating a kitchen fit for a family then it’s one of the best solutions available.

‘It is a more efficient use of space as there’s no need to push chairs back and forth, and you can fit more people into them,’ says Ann Marie Cousins, founder, AMC Designs. ‘Plus it’s great for children as it means no swinging on the back of chairs!’

There are numerous ways of including kitchen booth seating into your space, so it can work in just about any home. ‘In a smaller space, creating a breakfast nook in a corner of the room is a great way of maximising space throughout the scheme,’ says Melissa Klink, Creative Director, Harvey Jones. ‘By designing seating around a breakfast bar, you can also utilise the extra work surface, too. If you have a larger area, bench seating tends to be successful in giving that wow factor, as well as comfortably accommodating a bigger family.’

Kitchen booth ideas

Use these kitchen booth seating designs to inspire a revamp of your space.

1. Go for an L-shape

Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith

A great way to incorporate a kitchen booth into more narrow spaces is to choose an L-shaped design. The booth itself should run along the side of one or two walls. An island peninsula is perfect for turning into one of the ‘arms’ of the booth.

If you have space, use dining chairs for more seating on the exterior sides of the table. Should space be more restricted, then add in a freestanding bench which can be pushed under the table when not in use.

2. Choose a circular design

Image credit: Drew Forsyth & Co

Curves work well for kitchen booths. Space perception is sightly shifted so you can actually fit in more people than with straight surfaces. Plus, it automatically creates a relaxed and convivial vibe – ideal for entertaining.

Because these designs cocoon you, it offers quite a private feeling space. As well as working well for conversations, this means they act as great homework
(or work from home) spots in many kitchen layouts.

3. Build in space for storage

Image credit: Future PLC

Make the most of every inch of your kitchen booth space by integrating room for storage.

‘Not only does booth seating it look great, but it can be functional too, as you can incorporate storage into the design under the seats,’ notes Ann Marie from AMC Designs. ‘Make sure you consider what you store and how often you need it – for example, spare linen and cutlery is good to store for when you have larger gatherings.’

If opting for open storage cubbies, choose pretty baskets or boxes to store your items, for a more streamlined cohesive space. This is also a great idea for families, as each member can use their own cubby for their belongings – whether it be toys, homework essentials or a spare pair of reading glasses.

4. Consider your materials

Image credit: AMC Designs

As kitchen booths are a natural entertaining spot, they’re a great opportunity to introduce some colour and pattern into the room.

‘When designing, make sure to use a robust fabric on the boxed cushion so they are low maintenance and can easily be cleaned,’ recommends Ann Marie from AMC Designs. ‘Don’t be afraid to use colour and think about your scheme as a whole. By bringing colour from one space to another with pattern and texture, the spaces will look great together, but not match. Add scatter cushions for detail as it makes it easier to switch up the look if needed.’

5. Incorporate with a kitchen island

Image credit: Future PLC

Whether you’re creating a kitchen from scratch or updating an existing room, take your kitchen booth into the heart of your design. Kitchen islands are the perfect place to build off a booth from, creating a variation of classic breakfast bar ideas. One side of the island can be upholstered or reinforced to become the backrest of your seating area.

Not only does this create a stylish and cohesive look, but it’s practical, too. The person doing the cooking is fully involved with everything going on at the table – perfect for hosting dinner parties or keeping an eye on kids. Plus, with a worktop right behind you, there’s plenty of extra surface area on the table.

Choose practical, user-friendly fabrics when you’re this near to the cooking process. Think faux leathers, washable suedes, heavy cottons and canvases treated with tough stain and water-repellent protection.

6. Fit in a small spot

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Small kitchen ideas are just as prime for incorporating a booth as larger spaces. A petite corner booth could fit up to four people. Before starting, really consider your measurements so you’re not overly cramped in.

Ideally you need a minimum space of about 60cm per place setting. Table and seating heights need to be compatible, too. On average, allow a height of between 61-73cm for knee space.

7. Zone with paint

Image credit: Kate Guinness Design

Instead of including a traditional backrest, have some fun by painting one on. Not only does this look great, and is easy to update, but it will create visual zone, effectively separating the booth off from the other parts of the kitchen. This is great if you want to keep entertaining and cooking separate in open plan kitchen ideas.

You may be leaving off the backrest, but comfort is still important, so ensure you provide plenty of plush cushions for your guests, as well as an upholstered base.

‘I love booth seating in a kitchen,’ says Kate Guinness, founder, Kate Guinness Design. ‘Designed correctly you can make use of a tight area without any space getting wasted behind chairs, plus it’s really cosy.’

8. Include extra storage

Image credit: Future PLC/Jamie Mason

‘​Bench seating offers extra storage underneath the seats or in drawers, subtly hiding clutter and extra kitchenware,’ points out Melissa from Harvey Jones.

Create drawers which can be pulled out form underneath when needed, without disrupting the eye when closed. Make sure you build these with measurements of the pieces you wish to store in mind.

9. Create a decorative corner

Image credit: Magnet

Kitchen booth seating isn’t all about practicality – it can be a chance to create a different tone to an area of your space. Make it a more personal moment than in the rest of the kitchen by including a picture shelf or gallery wall, and adding in favourite knick-knacks and souvenirs.

By keeping everything in the one area you’ll be able to add some real personality without disrupting the overall scheme.

10. Opt for a retro design

Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t go literal with your kitchen booth. Take inspiration directly from American diners and fit in a brightly coloured vinyl bench, bistro seating and even retro signage.

How much space do you need for a kitchen booth?

Built-in seating is a great way to utilise every inch of a room, turning tricky architectural features into creative opportunities. Booths and banquettes gravitate towards corners but there are other options from L-shaped, to running along a wall.

‘The key to sizing up booth seating in a smaller space is introducing curved shapes rather than seating that follows the width of the wall,’ advises Sophie Hartley, kitchen designer at Tom Howley. ‘This will increase the amount of seating available and will also create a more ‘conversational’ shape, meaning that people sitting around the table will be directed towards each other. Neat, narrow storage can also be tucked behind the curve of the banquette bench. When choosing a table, round shapes are best to echo the rounded seating and save space even further.’

How do you make a kitchen booth?

While professional options are wonderful, if you’re looking for budget kitchen ideas then you may want to consider having a go at creating your own.

Start by using a simple shelving unit as the base. Combine this with an upholstered headboard fixed to the wall above to create a comfy back rest. Give it a twist by cutting foam to size and covering in a washable fabric in a tonal colour, for a softer seating alternative to timber.

Top the seat with a fabric-covered foam cushion for extra comfort and add interest with accent cushions.

The post 10 kitchen booth ideas for seating and dining appeared first on Ideal Home.