Dan d's List: Banquettes

• • Photographs for different versions of banquettes
    

• Here's some practical information that can help you in choosing this or  another option. Kitchen counters are generally 24 inches deep, and that depth  has been maintained here for the banquette base. The standard height of a dining  chair's seat is 18 inches, which is also the height of the cushioned  banquette.

   

  Lighting will be an important component of such a design. It's not possible  to make specific recommendations, however, without knowing what sort of ambient  and task lighting will be needed for a particular multipurpose space. I will say  that appearance matters as much as function and that lighting choices must also  be based on the aesthetics and function of the space.

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  What to Consider

   

  Here are a few pointers to help you build a kitchen banquette.

   
   
  • Decide whether the banquette is a focal point in the kitchen, or a  transitional feature between the kitchen and another room.  
  • Don’t build it in the middle of the primary traffic flow – for example, the  path between the refrigerator, stove, and sink, or the main entry to the  kitchen.  
  • Plan on seating four-to-six people in approximately 200 square feet of  space.  
  • Seating should be 18 to 20 inches up from the floor, allowing for about two feet across per  person.  
  • Don’t make the seats too deep, otherwise people will have a hard time  reaching the table. Allow for 18 to 20 inches of depth, with a few additional  inches for the seat padding.  
  • The seat backs vary in height, based on your preference. The range is  usually 36 to 48 inches.  
  • Tabletops average 29 to 31 inches high. The table can be separate from the  seating or secured to a raised bench structure.  
  • Since it’s a prime eating spot, choose fabrics that clean easily, or design  your banquette with removable cushions and washable slipcovers.  
  • Costs will vary depending on the structure, but if you have it built by a remodeling  contractor, budget $2,000 to $3,000. If you do it yourself, provided you  have all the right tools, you’ll save $500 to $1,000 on that amount.
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  How to Build a Kitchen Banquette

   

  Obviously, planning to build a kitchen banquette in a new home is easier than  when doing full or partial kitchen renovation. Nevertheless, you  can easily modify a space where the old table and chairs used to be, especially  if you can run the seating bench along an existing wall.

   

  However, banquettes can be in whatever shape you need – curved, round,  L-shaped, U-shaped, or two benches flanking a long table. Use a bench and table only, or add more  seating with stools or chairs.

   
   
  • It’s more convenient to build the seat box first, based on the specs of the  area. This can be done on-site or in a workshop.  
  • It’s easy to add cupboards or drawers to the underneath of the seat box  using prefabricated doors and drawer fronts. If you want full storage under the  bench, make the seat box two to four inches deeper along the back frame in order  to raise the bench.  
  • If working around unusual contours, make a template out of cardboard first,  then adjust the primary pieces accordingly.  
  • Secure the seat box with shims and screw into wall studs to ensure the  screws won’t pull out from the wall.  
  • Trim out the unit with crown molding.  
  • Seat cushions can be made from all formed foam, foam and spring, filled with  hemp fiber, or a number of other options. Choose from set cushions found in home  decorating stores, or have one custom-made.  
   

  The DIY Network’s website has an incredibly helpful  video to show you how it’s done.

   

  Get inspiration from this collection of banquette ideas from Better Homes and Gardens.

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• • Nice padding and different style for seating

• • The padding on the seat and backrest are nice and comfortable in photograph

• "Most people go for a design where the seats lift up, which is a  popular option because it's less expensive to construct," says Andrew.

   

  "But if you want something more functional, you can install  drawers or even cupboards into the base of the seating and don't have to  dismantle the cushions every time you want to access something. It really  depends on what you plan on storing under the bench, so it pays to consider that  before you settle on a design."

• Banquette positioning in the kitchen

   

  When it comes to finding the best spot for a banquette, it makes  most sense to choose a spot on your floorplan where it won't interfere with the  flow of foot traffic and where, if you wanted to, you could push an extra table  up should the need arise.

   

  It's also a good idea to choose a wall that wouldn't be better  used for wall-hung kitchen cabinetry - which is why a spot in front of a window  makes sense.

• Custom kitchen furniture to suit your layout

   

  Because you're having this piece of furniture custom built, you  can make sure it suits your ideal measurements down to the last millimetre, but  as a guide the bench should be no deeper than 450mm - otherwise it can be  difficult to reach a table.

   

  And make sure you don't build the bench too high. Remember that,  once you put padding on top, a person's legs should still be able to fit  comfortably under a table. Andrew recommends going no higher than 400mm.

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• What I want to highlight in this image is the height of the  banquette, nothing else. When planning a banquette, consider the following:

   
   
  • What is your table height?
   
  • Will you want a cushion on the top of the banquette?
   
  • How comfortable will you want the banquette to  be? 
   
  • If you want super comfort, then think in terms of THICK cushions,  sofa-like, as much as 4-5" thick, and watch the firmess of the cushions as the  cushions dimension will then compress easily or not, changing your seat  height.
    
   
  • When planning for thick, comfy, cushions, your banquette may be as  low as 14-15" high, which LOOKS very low, but have no fear, this is an  acceptable height to plan for, if, for example, your cushions are a medium  firmness.
    
   
  • If you do not want a cushion, your banquette height may be 17-18" -  measure a chair and compare that height to your table height to determine a  comfortable height
    
   
  • Try to experiment in advance with a variety of seat cushions you  have on hand from existing furniture, to guage your comfort needs/desires. And,  yes, take that sofa cushion off as well and try it out!
    
   
  • Visualize if you will want to linger at the table or even stretch  out with a book, or if the purpose is for quick, efficient, meals only. This  will also help you focus in on the comfort factor you want designed into your  banquette.
    
   

  Me, I don't think this particular cushion would serve my purposes for  comfort, being so thin, but that's just me. Know what you want to feel when you  sit down at the table!

• Alderman recommends building a base that is 18 inches high and topping it with a  thin 2-inch cushion. Custom banquettes can take on any shape, including  rectangles, curves and angles.

• Step #1:Planning

   

  Where exactly do you want to build a kitchen banquette and what is your purpose for building  a banquette? Some banquettes are just built along two already existing walls so  that they save space, but others are built in a way that allows them to have  artistic value. Do you want to have chairs in addition to the banquette benches  and table? And finally, would you like cupboards and storage space to be built  into the banquette for even more space saving features to the whole operation?  Consider the answers to these questions carefully, and then use them to plan out  exactly where you want the banquette to be.

• Step #2:Make a sketch of your kitchen banquette

   

  There are many different styles you can choose when building  a banquette. Here are the basic styles:

   
  • Curved
   
  • Round
   
  • L-shaped
   
  • Two benches flanking a long tablee
   

  Decide which one will work for you and make your design.

• Step #3:Make a Seat Box

   

  This is the base for your kitchen banquette and is the heart  of the entire project for building a banquette. Basically, you are building two  boxes to be attached to the wall. Listed below are the steps to build a kitchen  banquette seat box:

   

  1Find a comfortable seating height. You can do this by  testing out a chair and taking the measurements. Add these measurements to your  sketch.

   

  2Use ¾ ply for the top seat box. Use 2x2s for your  corner and leading edges support lumber allowing that it sits into the top/open  area of the seat box.

   

  3Determine if you want your seat box to be hollow or if you want  to add drawers or cupboards. Purchase prefabricated drawers or drawer  fronts. Attach these to the seat box with hinges.

   

  4If you want  the bench to be full storage, make the seat box two to four inches deeper along  the back frame so the bench can be raised.

   

  5If the area  you have to work with has unusual contours, make a template out of cardboard and  then adjust the primary pieces accordingly.

   

  6Secure your  seat box with shims and screw into wall studs so the screws won’t pull out from  the wall.

• Step #4- Add trim

   

  Trim out your seat box with crown moldings that match the  décor of your kitchen.

   

  Step #5- Add seat cushions

   

  Seat cushions can be made from foam, foam and spring, filled  with hemp fiber or you can buy them pre-made from your local hardware or craft  store.

   

  Now you can add your table and any extra chairs and your  project to build a kitchen banquette is complete.

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  1. Function. -Know how you want this dining area to function  for you. Will it be used for homework, computer time, reading, lounging or for  meals only?  Design it accordingly.
   
  2. Comfort. – For a more comfortable seat consider a cushion  of 4-5” thick, and be aware of the firmness of that seat.  It will compress  and ultimately change the height slightly.  With a cushion this thick, your  base seat should be 14-15” high (finished from the floor).  It may seem  low, but once the luxurious cushions are installed the proportion will be  perfect.  Lastly, angle the back slightly to allow for maximum  comfort.
   
  3. Size. – If you’re opting for a more contemporary look  without any seat cushions at all, then the finished height of the seat base  should be 18” high (from the floor) and have a seat depth of a minimum of 18”  (for your tush).  When upholstering the seat and back, provide a good 24”  overall for depth of seat which will allow for the thickness of the upholstered  back.  Measure a favorite chair at home to help you determine the finished  height and depth you like.
   
  4. Shape. – Banquettes can be designed in all shapes and sizes  and ultimately depends on how much space you’re working with.  L-shaped,  U-shaped, curved or straight, your banquette will become a focal point in your  kitchen.
   
  5. Space. – Each person will occupy approx. 24-30” of space to  comfortably eat while using a fork and knife.  That said consider 24 square  feet will seat 4 people.
   
  6. Practicality. – Upholstering the banquette seats and backs  in a faux leather, vinyl, or outdoor fabric will make it much easier to maintain  and is also much simpler to slide in and out of.   Loose cushions  become more problematic and are less comfy – and it’s all about the comfort  factor!
   
  7. Storage. – I prefer large storage drawers beneath the seat  rather than hinged lids.  It’s much easier to operate and access.   Making things even easier have an operable drawer pull out from the side  of the banquette base if possible.
   

  I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the  form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special  report: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating  Mistakes”

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• No matter what size booths you build, don't make the seats and backs 90 degrees  to each other. Very uncomfortable. Front edge of restaurant booths should be 18"  to 20", as said above. The seat should slope back at about 3 degrees. Then the  back is set at 95 degrees off the seat. Or have a 5 degree recline off the seat,  whichever way you want to interpret it.

• Pre-planning your Booth
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• Just measure your space from the corner to  each seat end where you would like your booth. Send us the dimensions and a  description of the area. (Will the booth be up against a cabinet, are there heat  registers, electrical outlets, windows, doorways etc. in or adjacent to the  area...) Contact us with this information and  we will give you an approximate table size and maximum seating capacity for your  space.
  OR....
  Use our Design Kit to sketch your space. See for yourself if  a booth works for you! If you are not within our delivery area we will ship it  to you for self installation. Ten feet of Booth Comfortably seats four adults. A  32X54 inch table in an "L" Configuration seats 7 with chairs.

• Design Kit  Instructions  

   
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    The minimum run of wall space for comfortable L shaped booth seating is 4X6  feet.

     
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    The minimum width to have opposing booth seating is 6 feet with seating  running 4 ft out from the wall for comfort.

     
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    Using a sheet of Graph Paper  sketch your room to scale.

     
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    Include measurements of the space where the booth will fit. Measure from wall  surface to wall surface. (good idea to remove base boards or any trim work and  moldings to measure)

     
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    Include the locations of any electrical outlets, phone jacks, heating or cold  air return registers, radiators or baseboard heaters or any other obstructions  that need to be taken into consideration for the design of your booth.

     
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    If you have a window in the space where your booth is going, measure from  each wall to the trim work of the window. Measure from the floor up to the sill  trim, and from the ceiling down to the top trim piece. On another piece of Graph  paper, sketch the wall and window so we know where it is placed on the wall.  

     
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    For bay windows include the angles of each corner and the measurement of the  run between each angle.

     
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    It is also helpful if you can send pictures of the space where your booth is  going.

     
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    Be sure to include the scale you drew to so we know how many squares on the  graph paper equals what unit of measurement...
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