Kitchen banquettes exude a casual, laid-back charm that can instantly transform the ambiance of your cooking space. These built-in bench seats make smart use of available space, while providing comfortable, stylish seating for family meals and entertaining friends. Banquettes allow you to maximize every inch, tuck into corners or undersized areas, and create an intimate, welcoming atmosphere.
What Defines a Kitchen Banquette?
A kitchen banquette refers to bench seating that is built into the actual framework of your kitchen. Unlike freestanding tables and chairs, banquettes are permanently installed features that act as part of the kitchen’s architecture.
Banquettes typically have a long L-shaped or U-shaped design that hugs one or more walls. They may stand alone as a seating nook, or accompany a standard dining table. The bench seats are padded, upholstered, and attached to the wall or tucked into a recessed space.
Some key characteristics that identify kitchen banquettes include:
- Built-in bench seating attached to walls or framed into a niche
- Fixed, non-movable furniture that acts as part of the kitchen layout
- Long, continuous design that follows the wall contour
- Cushioned, upholstered seats for comfort
- Casual, relaxed aesthetic for family-friendly appeal
Unlike standalone benches that can be moved around at will, banquettes are specially designed fixed elements intended to maximize space efficiency. Their casual charm and cozy appeal make them a popular option in today’s kitchens.
The Appeal of Kitchen Banquettes
What makes kitchen banquettes so intrinsically inviting in both form and function? Here are some of the most compelling benefits offered by built-in banquette seating:
Space-Saving Design
One of the biggest advantages of a kitchen banquette is its space-saving talents. Banquettes tuck neatly into corners, edges and awkward narrow spaces that may otherwise go unused. Their custom-fit built-in design takes advantage of every inch while eliminating the need for multiple individual chairs.
Comfortable Seating
Banquette seats are padded and upholstered, providing a comfortable seating experience for family and guests. The long, continuous cushion is more relaxing than individual chairs. Plush pillows can be added for extra coziness.
Flexible, Adaptive Layouts
Banquettes can be tailored to your exact space with customized lengths, shapes and configurations. Freestanding tables can be moved around to transform the layout as needed.
Distinctive Stylish Look
The clean, smooth lines of banquettes and their casual vibe create an aesthetically pleasing, elegant look. They provide a signature style element with plenty of design flexibility.
Multi-Functional Usage
Banquettes seamlessly transition from mealtime seating to additional living space. The benches become extra seating for party guests, craft zones for kids, homework stations, and more.
Intimate Setting
The wrap-around shape and close proximity of banquette seating fosters connection. Mealtimes feel more intimate, encouraging family conversations and bond-building.
With their laidback appeal, space-saving talents and multifunctional nature, it’s easy to see why kitchen banquettes are surging in popularity. Let’s explore how to incorporate banquette seating into your home.
Kitchen Banquette Design and Layout Ideas
From petite breakfast nooks to sprawling bench seating, banquettes can be customized to match your space and needs. Consider these common kitchen banquette designs:
Freestanding Banquette Nooks
For smaller kitchens, an intimate freestanding banquette nook adjacent to the main workspace provides a perfect breakfast or casual dining spot. Floating banquettes like this maximize every inch while defining a clear eating zone.
Banquettes Along One Wall
Lining one length of wall with banquette seating is a smart, efficient layout. It provides plentiful seating while opening up floor space. The banquette seats can wrap around a nearby corner too.
U-Shaped Banquettes
U-shaped banquettes deliver seating on two adjoining walls, with a table nestled in the middle. This enveloping layout makes great use of corners and gives a warm, inviting feel.
L-Shaped Banquettes
An L-shaped banquette hugs the walls along two connecting sides. One length of the “L” can be a roomy bench, while the other has space for a table.
Wraparound Banquettes
For large eat-in kitchens, a wraparound banquette lines three or more walls. This creates stylish, abundant seating for sizable families or entertaining.
When planning your kitchen banquette layout, think about traffic flow, table placement, seating capacity, and existing architecture like windows and doors. Banquettes work with kitchens of all sizes and configurations.
Banquette Dimensions
Banquette dimensions should be tailored your space, seating needs, and layout. However, some standard size guidelines include:
- Depth/length of seat: 48” – 96” long
- Height: 18” – 22” tall
- Depth: 15” – 24” deep
- Seat height: 16” – 18” from floor
A minimum seat depth of 15” provides comfort, but extending to 18 – 24” deep allows for extra lounging room. Set the banquette height slightly lower than standard tables for easy sliding in and out.
For U-shaped designs, a good rule of thumb is to allow for 36 – 42” of walkway space in the middle open area. Size the banquettes proportionately to your kitchen footprint and amount of desired seating.
Banquette Frame Construction
Kitchen banquettes are built from the ground up specifically for your space. The underlying frame attaching the banquette to the walls provides sturdy support.
For custom banquettes, the frame is commonly made of:
- Wooden boards and lumber
- Plywood sheets
- Aluminum or steel beams
- Reinforced concrete
Wood offers natural beauty, while metals and concrete provide super strength and durability. Water-resistant materials prevent warping or erosion from leaks.
The frame is securely anchored into studs in the wall and floor. Angled braces, brackets, and joists reinforce the joints for optimal stability. The entire structure is constructed to last decades and bear weight without sagging.
Banquette Seating Materials and Cushions
The banquette cushion encompasses the padding, fabric upholstery, and attached pillows that make these seats so irresistibly comfy. When choosing your banquette seating materials, durability and maintainability are key.
Upholstery Fabric
Look for heavyweight, stain-resistant upholstery-grade fabrics like cotton, microfiber, wool, polyester blends, or leather. Sturdy upholstery stands up well to heavy everyday use. Leather offers an upscale look, while microfiber is budget-friendly.
Interior Padding
High-density polyurethane foam padding is firm yet cushy. Down blend padding offers irresistible softness. For eco-friendly options, padding made from soy-based foams or recycled fibers make great choices.
Removable Covers
For easy cleaning, select removable cushion covers. Look for covers secured with zippers or Velcro instead of permanent attachments.
Accent Pillows
Throw pillows in coordinating colors and prints add vibrancy and extra coziness. Opt for soft, washable pillows sealed with zippers instead of loose covers.
Waterproofing
Since kitchens deal with lots of spills and messes, treat cushions with a water repellent coating for added protection and stain resistance.
Prioritize durable, easy-care materials that will withstand heavy daily use in your kitchen’s banquette seating. Washable covers and stain guard treatments help maintain the banquette’s beauty.
Banquette Storage Design Options
One of the bonuses of built-in banquettes is that they can easily be customized with storage space. Integrated storage is both functional for keeping essentials close at hand, yet tidy and out of sight.
Consider incorporating these storage features:
Under-Bench Storage
The empty cavity beneath bench seats can be a perfect spot for storing cooking tools, table settings, or extra pantry items. Just be sure to add doors or drawers for access.
End Cabinets
On standalone banquettes, cabinetry built into the ends provides storage that’s handily accessible from the banquette. Opt for enclosed cabinets or open shelving.
Under-Seat Drawers
Shallow, wide drawers built right into the banquette base are handy for small items like napkins, gadgets, books, or board games.
Back Cushion Shelving
Open shelving installed behind the banquette seat keeps items visible yet out of the way.
Freestanding Cabinets
A tall pantry cabinet, hutch, or sideboard positioned near the banquette maximize storage without impeding foot room.
Get creative with how to work storage into your banquette design. Just remember to allow proper clearance so drawers and doors can easily open.
Complementary Banquette Kitchen Design Elements
A few additional design touches can help your kitchen banquettes better blend into the existing layout:
- Use colors, materials, and finishes that coordinate with the cabinets and counters for a cohesive look. For example, if your cabinetry is white painted wood, choose cushion fabrics with white backgrounds or wooden frames.
- Incorporate similar design details like matching hardware pulls, trim accents, or baseboard moldings.
- Repeat kitchen flooring materials like wood plank tiles or stone for a unified appearance.
- Anchor the banquette visually with area rugs layered underneath in a similar color palette.
- Add pendant lights or sconces above banquettes to tie them into the kitchen lighting plan.
- Use transparent acrylic chairs, stools or cross-back chairs at the table to maintain visibility and an open aesthetic.
Integrating banquettes fully into your kitchen’s decor helps them feel like a natural, integral element rather than an out-of-place add-on.
Banquette Ideas for Small Kitchens
Even the tiniest kitchens can benefit from banquette seating. For petite spaces, a few smart design tips can help banquettes maximize every inch without overwhelm.
- Opt for a compact freestanding banquette nook instead of built-in units. This can neatly tuck against an unused wall or corner.
- Select a small round pedestal table or space-saving table like a drop leaf rather than a large rectangular surface.
- Stick to simple, clean-lined banquette designs without ornate details that could clutter and shrink the space.
- Look for banquettes with built-in storage like drawers or cabinets to reduce visual clutter.
- Choose upholstery and accent pillows in a light, neutral color palette which makes small rooms appear larger.
- Increase the feeling of openness by allowing light to flow in through windows. Add mirrors or reflective finishes to bounce light around.
- Use a glass table top to maintain a sense of airiness. Transparent acrylic chairs also take up less visual space.
- Keep the banquette footprint compact. For two people, a 48” – 60” wide banquette is usually sufficient.
With smart spatial planning and petite proportions, even compact kitchens can carve out an endearing banquette dining nook.
Banquette Ideas for Large Kitchens
For sizable kitchens and open floor plans, the possibilities become nearly endless when planning banquette seating. Taking advantage of all that square footage, some great banquette ideas for large kitchens include:
- Incorporate banquette benches along multiple walls for plentiful seating capacity.
- Opt for an expansive wraparound banquette design surrounding a roomy dining table.
- Choose a bold banquette shape like an oval, serpentine, circular or octagonal footprint.
- Add design drama with higher backrests, tailored pleating, exquisite fabrics like velvet, or hand-carved legs.
- Include multiple banquettes in one kitchen, such as an informal breakfast nook plus formal dining zone.
- Anchor banquettes with substantial area rugs layered underfoot for defined spaces.
- Use banquettes to divide open floor plans into functional zones while maintaining an airy ambiance.
- Incorporate intricate details like wainscoting panels, ornate trim or inlaid stone tabletops.
- Define conversational groups with U-shaped or L-shaped banquette formations.
- Zone banquettes near the kitchen for casual family meals, and locate a more formal dining banquette near the living area.
For palatial kitchens, banquettes present the perfect opportunity to create an elegant, luxurious statement.
Enhance Banquette Comfort With Cushions
Once your banquette framework is constructed, it’s time to optimize the seating comfort. Plush cushions and throw pillows transform a basic bench into a decadent place to lounge for hours. Here are some top tips for banquette cushions:
- Select a high-density foam core at least 4 – 5 inches thick. This prevents cushions from compressing and bottoming out over time.
- Upholster the foam in a durable, easy-to-clean fabric like microsuede or cotton. Leather imparts upscale appeal.
- For a super-soft feel, use a down blanket wrap over the foam padding. Feather/down pillow inserts work nicely for separate back cushions.
- Secure cushions with Velcro strips instead of permanent attachments so covers can be removed for cleaning.
- Add seat belts or adjustable straps to hold cushions firmly in place without shifting.
- Arrange plenty of toss pillows at the backrest and arm areas for additional coziness and lumbar support.
- Limit accent pillows to machine-washable fabrics. Enclose any feather pillows in zippered cases.
- Scatter larger floor pillows or poufs at banquette ends to provide extra informal seating as needed.
Fluffing up your banquette with plush cushions and pillows encourages lingering and lounging in absolute comfort.
Choosing Banquette Fabric and Upholstery
The fabric upholstering your banquette cushions merits thoughtful consideration, since it must withstand considerable wear and stain potential. How do you select the best banquette fabric for your space?
- Opt for high-performance, durable fabrics that can take a beating, especially if you have kids or pets.
- Microfiber, twill, cotton, linen blends, and stain-resistant polyesters are excellent choices.
- Leather offers incredible durability and easy wipe-clean maintenance, but carries a higher price tag. Faux leathers like vinyl can mimic the look on a budget.
- For families with young kids, avoid delicate fabrics like silks or satins which require professional dry cleaning.
- Calculate required yardage carefully to ensure adequate fabric for banquette cushions, pillows and any piping or skirts. Allow at least 1.25 yards per linear foot of banquette seating.
- Upholstery fabrics with vibrant patterns or prominent grains require pattern matching so the print aligns properly across seams.
- Water repellant and stain guard treatments add practical protection, especially for light colored fabrics.
- Solid neutrals, textured tweeds, and subtle tone-on-tone patterns conceal spills and stains more graciously.
Covering your banquette framework in durable, family-friendly, easy-care fabrics ensures it will stay looking fabulous for years.
How Much Do Banquette Seats Cost?
Since they are permanent built-in fixtures requiring professional custom construction, banquettes represent a significant investment. However, they yield big returns in terms of added function and property value.
The average cost to add kitchen banquette seating ranges from $2,500 – $5,000+. Exact pricing depends on:
- Banquette size, shape, configuration
- Construction materials like solid hardwoods or marble vs. plywood and laminates
- Cushion quality and fabric grade
- Location and local labor costs
- Amount of decorative details like wainscoting, carvings, trimwork
- Inclusion of additional storage features like cabinets or drawers
- Required electrical or plumbing modifications
- Demolition of existing kitchen elements if needed
For a larger U-shaped or wraparound banquette setup with high-end details, expect to invest $8,000 or more. But in terms of livability and resale value, banquettes provide enduring returns on the investment.
Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Banquettes
Since banquettes act as built-in furniture spanning one or more walls, the colors you coat them influence the whole kitchen’s ambiance. Which hues work best?
Popular paint color choices for kitchen banquettes include:
- Neutral whites, beiges and soft greys – these act like a blank canvas so furnishings and accents pop.
- Light blue or green for a casual, beachy vibe.
- Warm tones like ivory, camel, tan or light brown for an inviting, cozy mood.
- Charcoal or black for dramatic contrast in modern spaces.
- Bright red or yellow if seeking an energetic, lively aesthetic.
Aim for a finish that coordinates pleasingly with existing cabinetry, counters, flooring and backsplashes without matching exactly. For intimate breakfast nooks, darker or more saturated paint colors help create a cocooning effect.
Banquette Lighting Ideas
Proper illumination transforms banquettes from mere seating into a focal gathering spot. Lighting highlights the banquette’s decor and makes the space more usable.
Overhead Fixtures
Pendant lights dangling over the banquette table provide both task lighting
