10 Banquette Seating Ideas for Your Kitchen
Add some relaxed perches to your kitchen-diner with space-smart cushioned benches
Amanda Pollard
18 February 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
A banquette can be a fabulous addition to a kitchen, adding flexible and comfortable seating, giving an informal feel to the space, and even providing extra storage. Check out these ideas for benches large and small.
Tuck into a corner
A protruding area in this kitchen has been utilised to great effect with banquette seating. Benches run along two walls to create a cosy corner right next to the windows that overlook the garden.
Bench seating is ideal in a corner like this, as it makes great use of all the space. It’s OK that the table is shorter than the banquette, as it provides more space for stretching out at the side.
Find carpenters and joiners in your area.
A protruding area in this kitchen has been utilised to great effect with banquette seating. Benches run along two walls to create a cosy corner right next to the windows that overlook the garden.
Bench seating is ideal in a corner like this, as it makes great use of all the space. It’s OK that the table is shorter than the banquette, as it provides more space for stretching out at the side.
Find carpenters and joiners in your area.
Blend in
There’s a beautiful contrast between sleek modern finishes and natural materials in this kitchen, and the dining space is a good example.
An elm table and wood and leather chairs sit next to a simple white and grey banquette. The understated design of the bench seat helps to highlight the warm tones in the table and chairs.
There’s also some rather handy storage in this bench that can be accessed from all angles – drawers can be pulled out from either end, or the seat can be opened up like a chest.
Check out 8 of the Best Small Kitchen Island Ideas.
There’s a beautiful contrast between sleek modern finishes and natural materials in this kitchen, and the dining space is a good example.
An elm table and wood and leather chairs sit next to a simple white and grey banquette. The understated design of the bench seat helps to highlight the warm tones in the table and chairs.
There’s also some rather handy storage in this bench that can be accessed from all angles – drawers can be pulled out from either end, or the seat can be opened up like a chest.
Check out 8 of the Best Small Kitchen Island Ideas.
Add some glamour
The bench in this kitchen gives a dramatic edge to the neutral space. A high back is upholstered in glossy dark green, which ties in with the emerald velvet chairs.
The bold design and rich colours are a striking contrast to the minimal cupboards either side, making this cosy area a focal point.
The bench in this kitchen gives a dramatic edge to the neutral space. A high back is upholstered in glossy dark green, which ties in with the emerald velvet chairs.
The bold design and rich colours are a striking contrast to the minimal cupboards either side, making this cosy area a focal point.
Keep it simple
In this contemporary space, the designers have gone for a very simple banquette seat. A minimal pale wood bench sits along the wall, leaving room below for a neat tube radiator.
The design looks relaxed and informal in the space, with plenty of room for people to sit. Although this bench isn’t upholstered, bright cushions ensure it feels cosy and welcoming, rather than just functional.
In this contemporary space, the designers have gone for a very simple banquette seat. A minimal pale wood bench sits along the wall, leaving room below for a neat tube radiator.
The design looks relaxed and informal in the space, with plenty of room for people to sit. Although this bench isn’t upholstered, bright cushions ensure it feels cosy and welcoming, rather than just functional.
Take in the view
If you have the opportunity to create a picture window in your kitchen, make the most of it by incorporating a bench seat.
Here, the wide windowsill is deep enough to double up as a comfortable seat with a view of the garden.
If you have the opportunity to create a picture window in your kitchen, make the most of it by incorporating a bench seat.
Here, the wide windowsill is deep enough to double up as a comfortable seat with a view of the garden.
A table and chairs have been positioned in front of the bench to turn the space into a dining area.
Sit back and unwind
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time on your banquette seating, it’s worth making it as comfortable as possible. Consider fitted seat cushions as well as a padded back rest.
Here, the designers have upped the comfort levels by making the back slightly sloped. Household members and their guests can sit back comfortably on the cushioned seats, which have been upholstered in a soft blue fabric.
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time on your banquette seating, it’s worth making it as comfortable as possible. Consider fitted seat cushions as well as a padded back rest.
Here, the designers have upped the comfort levels by making the back slightly sloped. Household members and their guests can sit back comfortably on the cushioned seats, which have been upholstered in a soft blue fabric.
Consider a curve
Circular tables work well in small spaces, as there are no sharp corners to bump into and more people can squeeze around the surface. Maximise the area even more by designing some banquette seating to follow the curve.
Here, a bench seat fits snugly into the corner of the room, allowing plenty of people to take a pew.
Circular tables work well in small spaces, as there are no sharp corners to bump into and more people can squeeze around the surface. Maximise the area even more by designing some banquette seating to follow the curve.
Here, a bench seat fits snugly into the corner of the room, allowing plenty of people to take a pew.
Open up
Storage beneath your banquette seating doesn’t have to be concealed – try a more open design like this one if you prefer. The spaces between the legs are perfect for tucking in essentials and accessing them easily.
The key to getting an open design like this one right is to choose attractive storage in a single style. These wicker baskets are ideal, as they fit perfectly in the gaps and look good, too.
Storage beneath your banquette seating doesn’t have to be concealed – try a more open design like this one if you prefer. The spaces between the legs are perfect for tucking in essentials and accessing them easily.
The key to getting an open design like this one right is to choose attractive storage in a single style. These wicker baskets are ideal, as they fit perfectly in the gaps and look good, too.
Surround with storage
Here’s a clever design: storage has been added on all sides of the bench seat. The designers have fitted attractive doors to the front of the banquette to hide any items stored underneath. They’ve also built a framework around the seats, and incorporated a shelf above and two tall units either side.
The construction not only provides some extra storage, it also adds a cosy feel to the seating area.
Here’s a clever design: storage has been added on all sides of the bench seat. The designers have fitted attractive doors to the front of the banquette to hide any items stored underneath. They’ve also built a framework around the seats, and incorporated a shelf above and two tall units either side.
The construction not only provides some extra storage, it also adds a cosy feel to the seating area.
Squeeze it in
A banquette seat can even work in a small area, as this snug example demonstrates. The designers have made the most of a corner by constructing benches along both walls.
The seats give a relaxed, inviting feel to the space and have allowed a relatively small room to be turned into a kitchen-diner.
Tell us…
Are you thinking about building some banquette seating in your kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
A banquette seat can even work in a small area, as this snug example demonstrates. The designers have made the most of a corner by constructing benches along both walls.
The seats give a relaxed, inviting feel to the space and have allowed a relatively small room to be turned into a kitchen-diner.
Tell us…
Are you thinking about building some banquette seating in your kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Related Stories
Kitchen Inspiration
10 Smart Storage Tips for Your Kitchen Bins
Keep kitchen rubbish stylishly tucked away with these clever solutions
Full Story
Kitchen Design
Which Kitchen Worktop Colour Should You Choose?
By tidgboutique
Consider these popular colours and styles to get the look you want, no matter which material you use
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
5 Inspiring Before and After Kitchen Transformations
Whether you want to boost storage, incorporate original features or maximise your space, take ideas from these designs
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
5 Ideas for Kitchen Extension Layouts in Victorian Homes
By Kate Burt
Embarking on a rear extension project? Need layout ideas? Look no further...
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
16 Kitchens With Vertically Stacked Tiles
Looking for kitchen tiling inspiration? Browse this gallery of beautiful designs
Full Story
Renovating
Should I Live On-site During My Kitchen Renovation?
By Kate Burt
If you’re weighing up whether to stay put or ship out during your project, this expert guide is a must-read
Full Story
Bedrooms
What to Expect at the Biggest Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Show
Plan ahead with our rundown of what’s in store at the kbb Birmingham event this March
Full Story
Kitchen Design
Which of These Kitchen Renovation Trends Would You Choose?
By Kate Burt
The 2024 Houzz Kitchen Trends Report is out. Dive into the highlights to see what’s topping your choices
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
24 Beautiful Bare Wood Kitchens
By Kate Burt
From pale and pared back to warm and textured, unpainted cabinets are suddenly everywhere. Which look do you like best?
Full Story
Kitchen Planning
How to Design a Multigenerational Kitchen
A space that successfully meets the needs of all those who use it is not only inclusive, it’s futureproof
Full Story
rattybarbie, from my childhood experience, bench seating (never heard of a banquette before this article!) is far more difficult than individual chairs to adjust to the height of different children (we were five): the extra cushions slip, particularly if one child needs three, one two, one just one extra, and the fourth is fine. With so many children, with all respect to Verity & Beverley Ltd, my mother would have ripped out the bench seating rather than fixing studs and Velcro - but doubt that Velcro existed in the 60s! My parents never sat on the bench seating themselves - they needed chairs so they move around to carve, serve, get things out of the oven/fridge etc.
Little loops on the cushions and tiny hooks on the seat edge (back area) should hold any cushions on or sew velcro on fabric as nd stick on benches/seats..
Houzz, please can you provide some options of suppliers for bench/banquette seating please?