Banquettes: A Lifelong Romance

August 13, 2024

Who doesn’t want to sit at the booth?! Banquettes have always been one of my favorite design elements (along with metal mesh - but that’s for another blog post). They offer a stylish solution for maximizing seating in a variety of spaces, from compact breakfast nooks to expansive dining areas. Their versatility, capacity for customization and vintage flare are unmatched, in my humble opinion.

In dining spaces, banquettes create a warm, inviting atmosphere that encourages gathering and conversation. Unlike traditional dining chairs, a banquette offers a continuous seating arrangement that can make even a large dining area feel intimate and cozy. It’s the perfect choice for family meals or entertaining close friends, offering a sense of closeness that’s hard to achieve with other seating options.

These little powerhouses are also incredibly practical, especially in areas where space is at a premium like kitchens or entryways. Plus, the area beneath the seating can often be utilized for additional storage, a hot commodity in an entryway especially.

Most importantly, banquettes offer endless opportunities for creativity from a design perspective. They look great in loud accent materials like velvet or leather. The more color the better! The shape and style of the banquette can be tailored to complement the overall aesthetic of the space, whether it’s a modern, streamlined look or a more traditional, ornate design. Next time you redo any room, throw a banquette into it! Here are a few of the many banquettes I have installed during my 20+ year career.