Kitchen Banquettes

Hi Lisa -

I am looking for ideas for my breakfast table/corner. I want to put a banquette in. The area has no windows and isn’t a big.  We’re using the table we had when we moved in there (oval) and it doesn’t work very well. I'd appreciate any ideas - thanks!

Lori

Banquettes are a great way to make the most of tight dining spaces. There are loads of design options and a few key things to keep in mind as you design your new seating area. (All photos today from Kitchen and Bath Ideas.)

With any good design, consider form and function. Are the kids going to do homework there or will the area be used primarily for lounging? Either way, the area needs to be comfortable. Don't use a dinky 2" cushion! Go with a firm, 4" or 5" cushion with the seat base 14" or 15" from the ground (without the cushion). The depth of the seat should be roughly 24" and allow approximately 30" of width per person to allow comfortable eating.

An angled banquette with cabinetry detail makes the most of this space.

A window seat banquette.

Pillows are a versatile option for the back of a banquette. Use pillows to reinforce the design scheme and select fabrics that are washable and that have removable covers.

Blue stripped pillows reinforce this classic look.

Lastly, don't overlook the opportunity to add storage to banquette seating. Lift-up seat tops or drawers below the seating are ideal spots to enhance your kitchen storage options.

Shelving tucked in to the side and deep drawer storage below...

Hinged seat tops work well when drawers aren't an option.

Small Kitchen, Big Style - Details.....

The elements that make up the style in the kitchen from the earlier post make all the difference in creating a kitchen with loads of style. Some of the details up close....

Back splash tile in a glass mosaic....

Cosmos slab granite counter tops...

Excuse the glare! A Flemish-type decorative glass in the open cabinetry...

Farmhouse sink with oil rubbed bronze Grohe faucet, cup pulls and knobs on the drawers and cabinet doors.

Small Kitchen, Big Style!

I recently worked with clients on their kitchen remodel. This kitchen is not particularly large, but it is a testament to how great finishes and small changes in the layout can transform a space of any size.

The layout was tweaked to remove the island and install a peninsula - giving the clients additional storage. I love island kitchens, but in a small space, an island can often seem like an obstacle.

The old island was removed....

...in favor of a peninsula with bar seating.

In addition, the refrigerator was moved out of the doorway, instantly providing better traffic flow. The layout was improved further by shifting the ovens to the space where the refrigerator was in the prior layout.

Existing ovens on the far left shift to the refrigerator space and the fridge shifts to a much better location.

The traffic and work flow are vastly improved.

The carefully selected finishes for this project - granite, mosaic tile, stainless appliances and a farmhouse sink - were carefully considered.

The view from the doorway of the old kitchen...

The same view in the new kitchen - wow!

I'll take a closer look at the details on Monday. Have a great weekend and remember...small is beautiful!