15 Ideas For Banquette Seating In The Home

Well… almost. As you can see here, the built-in banquette takes up much less space than the dining chairs opposite, creating a more laid-back feel. The linen-wrapped bolster cushions are something you could rustle up with vintage fabric.

Pictured: A room from a project by Lizzie Green

At the end of this formal living room, this pretty bay window wasn’t getting the love – or use – it deserved, so interior designer Holly Vaughan put paid to that with squishy seating with built-in nooks for storing books. ‘I decided we should really make the most of this area and create this little area where our client could go and completely switch off,’ she explains. The abundance of natural light makes this set-up even more appealing.

Pictured: A project by Vaughan Design & Development

‘If you are building a banquette dining seat into your kitchen, try to tie in any joinery details such as tongue and groove or Shaker-style panelling,’ says Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors. ‘Paint it in a complementary colour and then add a mix of patterned and plain cushions for a contrast in texture. And if you can, add wall lights and lots of art above it to create a cosy spot for dining.’

Pictured: Interior design by Imperfect Interiors

• Read more: A guide to wall panelling

In this garden room, the day bed is topped with removable covers and scatter cushions, offering an extra place to perch and even sleep.

Pictured: A room from a project by Hutley & Humm

Some late Victorian houses come with a long kitchen featuring a bay window midway down one wall. Here, it was factored into the kitchen layout and created the perfect opportunity for a petite dining area to enjoy that first cup of coffee in the morning, whilst also generating storage.

Pictured: A project by Herringbone Kitchens

• Read more: Storage ideas to banish clutter for good

Small children and upholstery is usually a recipe for disaster. But the clever use of Concertex, a wipeable faux tan leather, makes it resistant to sticky fingers and spills. This nook created by Otta Design is also crammed with storage, from the trio of drawers on each side (which also provide a coffee table-esque surface) to another bank below. The smoked oil oak dining table (from Heal’s) and walnut and black leather chairs (from Pinch) give the area depth and sophistication.

Pictured: A project by Otta Design

At first you don’t notice that this set-up is actually a bench with an upholstered panel lining on the wall, but it’s a cost-effective alternative to elevating a simple seating arrangement, and it gives you a chance to be creative with fabric choice.

Pictured: A dining room by Interior Fox

It can be hard to carve out a dining area in a narrow kitchen, but this L-shaped banquette, complete with padding and storage, is the perfect solution. Not only does it reduce the number of chairs needed, it can also double up as a homework station and place to watch TV.

Pictured: A kitchen project by Herringbone Kitchens