BANQUETTE SEATING
How should I design banquette seating?
This style of seating is a great way to utilise a corner or bay window in a kitchen or dining room and being bespoke, it will perfectly fit a space. It can also be used to divide a long layout or zone an area in a large room.
There are so many possibilities — do you want an informal seating area finished in natural or painted wood or are you aiming for a more luxurious feel with upholstered seating? Consider the shape and layout and whether a straight run of seating, with perhaps cabinets either side, would fit better than, say, a corner configuration. Circular tables are ideal for small corners, and you can maximise the area even more with banquette seating that’s designed to follow the curve.
Bear in mind how many people you need to be able to seat and whether you already have a table in mind or if you want one custom-made to match. Do you want storage included? There are many options, from concealed designs where the seats lift up, to cupboards and pull-out drawers as well as styles with baskets underneath. I do suggest making the seats as comfortable as possible if you are planning to use banquette seating as your main dining space, rather than just an informal breakfast area.
When planning your seating, allow around 18 inches of seat depth, not counting any back support (a standard bench depth is 15–20 inches) and for a clean aesthetic, the length of the banquette and table should match, with room for people to
