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.

Final Details for Steph's Mudroom

Earlier this week week, we took a look at the progress that Steph had made on her mudroom addition. Today, let's look at some finishing details.

The objective for any mudroom is maximum storage combined with ease of use. A mudroom is a pass through, so dispensing with coats, gloves, shoes and boots should be quick and easy. Steph decided against open locker type storage in favor of a 6' x 5' closet that she could close.

The closet is located to the left of the windows in this photo.

A closet doesn't necessarily mean that you must give up on the locker concept, it could mean that the lockers are hidden away. Lockers are great because they combine hook type hanging storage with cabinets above and pull out storage below. Hook hanging is infinitely easier for kids - they are much more likely to hang something on a hook than to take the time to hang something on a hanger! Three options below....

This storage scheme could easily be modified as a built in for a closet.

A conventional cloest arrangement with a combination of  cubbyholes, hanging and floor storage.

While this is a very organized child's closet, the idea can be easily modified for a mudroom closet. The combination of cubbyholes, drawers, and hanging storage is ideal for a mudroom.

In Steph's mudroom, there is a great space under the windows for a classic, mudroom bench. The spot every family needs to plop down and remove messy shoes and boots. Some ideas for Steph below....

A distressed black finish is hard wearing and the baskets are another great place to stow more stuff. (Benches by the Bunches)

This shaker style bench with lift top storage reinforces the craftsman details of the doors and adds a more formal touch to the mudroom that also doubles as an entryway. (www.benches.com)

The Norfolk Bench from Pottery Barn is a classic choice.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

Just in Time....Steph's Mudroom is Progressing

I'm back from my lovely Colorado vacation (sigh). I spent some time out yesterday in the sunny, 85 degree fall weather (hey, it's Texas folks - this is fall!) purchasing my mums and pumpkins.I know that these gorgeous fall days will soon give way to the messy days of winter so it's time to revisit Steph's mudroom.
 

A quick recap; my friend Steph, who lives in the northeast, is adding a mudroom addition to her family's home - a 1700's school house - that will also serve as their entryway. Check out these posts to see some of the issues that we covered earlier as the mudroom planning got underway.

Check out the progress....

The initial concrete pour.

Framing, sheathing and the lovely Lucy!

The mudroom roof line takes shape...splurge for metal or stick to the budget and go with asphalt??

View from new mudroom door, original entry on the right, new walk-in closet straight ahead.

Sheetrock, new doors, slate floors!

Exterior in progress - matching the existing siding material...

Mudrooms can easily turn chaotic with the amount of "stuff" that gets dropped off. Corralling that stuff before it reaches other parts of the interior is the purpose of a mudroom anyway. Steph decided against locker type storage often seen in mudrooms and went for a walk in closet instead. In her words, "I am very sure that I want a door that will close, just in case SOMEBODY does not respect the integrity of the organizational system!" 

We'll take a look at options for outfitting the 6' by 5' walk-in closet in our next post and give Steph some other finishing options including a bench for seating and other storage tips for the space. Looking good Steph!