Banquette Dining

banquette (n.) A long upholstered bench placed against or built into a wall

There is nothing more luxurious than banquette seating at your dining room table. It evokes images of dining in a fancy French Restaurant. Lingering at the table, good conversations, the family gathered together, taking the time to dine rather than snatch a quick meal at the counter, comfortable. It also serves as double duty seating in a dining room adjoining a living room. It makes the most of a small space and makes for a cozy seating area. Round tables, square tables, rectangular tables - all work. Seating for 2, 4, 6, or 8. Toss cushions or not. Curved banquettes, straight banquettes, L shaped banquettes, or U shaped - all are possible. There are so many possibilities. A suitable option for almost any room. Have fun and pick you favorite.

This banquette is particularly attractive in a corner bay window.
Celerie Kemble House Beautiful Nov 07

Chad Eisner House Beautiful June 07

In a high traffic kitchen area a cleanable, durable outdoor fabric could be used for upholstery.
Christopher Maya Inc

This kitchen has my favorite Kartel Ghost Chairs (I have nicknamed them the Cinderella Chair). They are so versatile and also very comfortable. They are particularly good in a small space as they visually don't take up a lot of space. They mix well in a contemporary or traditional setting. Elle Decor Nov 06

Notice the straight wings on the one side of this banquette. Frank Roop Design

image via Absolutely Beautiful Things

I like how Mariette Himes Gomez has used a tufted curved banquette in her NYC dining room. (picture above and below)

I particularly like the thick slab for the top of this table and the trumpet base. Kemble Interiors Inc

Harriett Maxwell Macdonald

House Beautiful

A sofa doubles as a banquette for dining in this room by Michael S Smith from his book Elements of Style.

Posh Design

Robyn Karp Interiors

 

Vicente Wolf

I have used both of these designs for banquette seating. You can vary the length and the fabrics. You can do a tight seat bed like the one below, or have a down filled seat cushion as above. You can make it with arms or armless.

 

 

 

 

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture,
and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009