Custom Built-Ins that Fit Your Space

Low on space but you need to accommodate ample seating in your dining area, instead of a table and chairs that require additional space to walk around, consider a built in banquette.  Because its slide in seating draws inspiration from a restaurant booth, the banquet offers additional seating in spaces you thought might be just a little too tight.  Place one in a corner, up against a wall, backing up to cabinets or create one as its own room divider to add functional seating and a custom design element in one.

When designing a built in banquette, keep some of these key design elements in mind.

• Seating Size and Shape:
  • A banquette can be designed in whatever shape or size fits the space and desired function.  With a custom built piece the possibility may seem endless, however, most come from modifications of four basic layouts.
    • The Straight Line – Usually located along a wall or bank of cabinets, the straight line creates linear seating for a single side of the table.  Best when designed for a rectangular table.
    • The L Shape – The L shape is designed at a corner, creating seating on two sides of the table.  This shape works well with a square, rectangular or round table.
    • The U Shape – Offering 3 sided seating, this layout creates the most seating in the smallest spaces, but you do end up doing a lot of sliding in to sit.
    • The Curve – This layout can take different shapes, but creates a variety of seating in a more organic design.

• The Additional Storage:
  • As opposed to a chair, a banquette offers the opportunity to design storage into your seating area.
    • Consider a lift seat if you want to store table linens, pillows or other bulky items that quickly accessed from the top.
    • If you are looking for more cabinet storage for cookbooks or seasonal items, open cubbies, or closed cabinets can be designed to access from under the table.
    • You can also design end bookcases built into the seat base, if your ends are accessible.