33 Built-In Seating Ideas for a Bespoke Home
These bold bench seat and banquette set-ups will have you lining up to incorporate some built-in seating
Julia Fairley
27 November 2018
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture... More
Whether you’re renovating, planning to, or are just flirting with the idea of doing something a little different in your dining area, these 33 built-in bench seats provide all the ideas and inspiration you need.
1. Location: Woollahra, NSW
Designer
Luigi Rosselli Architects
Features
The curves in this banquette are a sight for sore eyes, from the sculpted foam stuffing and the double curving at the ends of the upholstery, to the subtly rounded corners of the joinery and table.
Designer
Luigi Rosselli Architects
Features
The curves in this banquette are a sight for sore eyes, from the sculpted foam stuffing and the double curving at the ends of the upholstery, to the subtly rounded corners of the joinery and table.
2. Location: Darlinghurst, NSW
Designer
SJB
Features
One glance at this caramel-coloured banquette tells you it’s no surprise the space scooped this year’s awards season.
Browse through images of stylish banquettes
Designer
SJB
Features
One glance at this caramel-coloured banquette tells you it’s no surprise the space scooped this year’s awards season.
Browse through images of stylish banquettes
3. Location: Rose Bay, NSW
Designer
Woods & Warner
FeaturesA strong angularity gives this built-in dining nook presence.
See how these smart tables and seating maximise small dining spaces
Designer
Woods & Warner
FeaturesA strong angularity gives this built-in dining nook presence.
See how these smart tables and seating maximise small dining spaces
4. Location: Canning Cottage
Designer
Bicker Design
Features
The perfectly matched fabric of the banquette and the timber base shows exemplary attention to detail.
Designer
Bicker Design
Features
The perfectly matched fabric of the banquette and the timber base shows exemplary attention to detail.
5. Location: Marrickville, NSW
Designer
Bondi Kitchens
Features
That spread of mustard adds a zing of flavour to this monochrome kitchen, and the backless banquette helps keep a low profile in the narrow space.
Designer
Bondi Kitchens
Features
That spread of mustard adds a zing of flavour to this monochrome kitchen, and the backless banquette helps keep a low profile in the narrow space.
6. Location: Orange County, USA
Feature
The perfect place to while the hours away, sit quietly with a cuppa, or gather for a meal with friends.
Feature
The perfect place to while the hours away, sit quietly with a cuppa, or gather for a meal with friends.
7. Location: USA
Features
There’s no rule that forbids shiplap banquettes from beautifying beach-style homes.
Features
There’s no rule that forbids shiplap banquettes from beautifying beach-style homes.
8. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Features
White and grey make the day.
Features
White and grey make the day.
9. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Features
Although the graphic print of the banquette seat and the rusty hue of the leather sling chairs don’t share any colours in common, there’s something about their contrast that makes this built-in dining nook shine.
Check out these easy, DIY graphic art ideas
Features
Although the graphic print of the banquette seat and the rusty hue of the leather sling chairs don’t share any colours in common, there’s something about their contrast that makes this built-in dining nook shine.
Check out these easy, DIY graphic art ideas
10. Location: New York, USA
Features
The upholstered caramel banquette, grounded by the navy accent wall, delineate the kitchen from this living space.
Features
The upholstered caramel banquette, grounded by the navy accent wall, delineate the kitchen from this living space.
11. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Features
Sometimes simple is best.
Features
Sometimes simple is best.
12. Location: Sacramento, USA
Features
This sweeping semi-circle draws everyone into the conversation here… not to mention that gentle curve of the timber.
Features
This sweeping semi-circle draws everyone into the conversation here… not to mention that gentle curve of the timber.
13. Location: New York, USA
Features
Pops of pattern, puffy texture and punchy colours enliven this banquette beyond belief.
Features
Pops of pattern, puffy texture and punchy colours enliven this banquette beyond belief.
14. Location: New York, USA
Features
The subtle gap between the upholstered seat and backrest of this built-in bench (and the workmanship involved) is a design detail that takes this banquette up a notch.
Features
The subtle gap between the upholstered seat and backrest of this built-in bench (and the workmanship involved) is a design detail that takes this banquette up a notch.
15. Location: New York, USA
Features
This tongue-in-cheek built-in breakfast nook channels plastic fantastic with its vinyl-like diner seat and the Barbie-inspired art.
Want to squeeze in a breakfast bar in your kitchen?
Features
This tongue-in-cheek built-in breakfast nook channels plastic fantastic with its vinyl-like diner seat and the Barbie-inspired art.
Want to squeeze in a breakfast bar in your kitchen?
16. Location: Miami, USA
Features
Texture is the name of the game in this interior, with the fine fur of the pouffes, the soft hide of the banquette seat, and the tufted upholstery of the backrest, all against the velvety smoothness of the floor and walls.
Features
Texture is the name of the game in this interior, with the fine fur of the pouffes, the soft hide of the banquette seat, and the tufted upholstery of the backrest, all against the velvety smoothness of the floor and walls.
17. Location: London, UK
Features
The matching upholstery on the mis-matched chairs, cushions and banquette seat leave no doubt what the hero of this room is.
Features
The matching upholstery on the mis-matched chairs, cushions and banquette seat leave no doubt what the hero of this room is.
18. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer
Camilla Molders Design
Features
Here, built-in seating solves the tricky problem of a low ceiling height. Genius! Not to mention those pops of lipstick red in the upholstery buttons.
Designer
Camilla Molders Design
Features
Here, built-in seating solves the tricky problem of a low ceiling height. Genius! Not to mention those pops of lipstick red in the upholstery buttons.
19. Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Designer
Paul Uhlmann Architects
Features
This banquette seating channels mid-century style and the restaurant vibe that these owners wanted at home.
Designer
Paul Uhlmann Architects
Features
This banquette seating channels mid-century style and the restaurant vibe that these owners wanted at home.
20. Location: London, UK
Features
Slimline seating makes this built-in bench take a backseat.
Features
Slimline seating makes this built-in bench take a backseat.
21. Location: Toronto, Canada
Features
A monochrome marvel.
Features
A monochrome marvel.
22. Location: Woollahra, NSW
Designer
RAAarchitects
Features
Not all banquettes take centre stage. Part built-in bench seat, part-window seat, this streamline banquette is subtle and sophisticated.
Designer
RAAarchitects
Features
Not all banquettes take centre stage. Part built-in bench seat, part-window seat, this streamline banquette is subtle and sophisticated.
23. Location: Atlanta, USA
Features
Ghost chairs and a transparent pendant light fade into the background so the mis-matched upholstery can jump to the fore.
Learn about the beauty of mismatched rooms
Features
Ghost chairs and a transparent pendant light fade into the background so the mis-matched upholstery can jump to the fore.
Learn about the beauty of mismatched rooms
24. Location: Singapore
Features
This curved banquette seat is no fading wallflower. And the complementary floor cushion and ottoman? Brilliant!
Features
This curved banquette seat is no fading wallflower. And the complementary floor cushion and ottoman? Brilliant!
25. Location: London, UK
Features
Stylish and space-smart, this built-in bench seat takes up less room than arranging chairs around all sides of the table.
Features
Stylish and space-smart, this built-in bench seat takes up less room than arranging chairs around all sides of the table.
26. Location: London, UK
Features
Look closely – is that a bespoke banquette seat or a cleverly repurposed sofa?
Features
Look closely – is that a bespoke banquette seat or a cleverly repurposed sofa?
27. Location: London, UK
Features
Sleek and subtle, the raised backrest of this banquette creates a cloistered huddle for quiet conversations within an open-plan area.
Features
Sleek and subtle, the raised backrest of this banquette creates a cloistered huddle for quiet conversations within an open-plan area.
28. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Mr. Mitchell
Features
The space-age banquette in this 1960s apartment stands loud and proud.
Designer: Mr. Mitchell
Features
The space-age banquette in this 1960s apartment stands loud and proud.
29. Location: Toronto, Canada
Features
A quiet escape in a private corner.
Features
A quiet escape in a private corner.
30. Location: Leicestershire, UK
Features
Part banquette, part-window seat, wholly chic. It’s also refreshing to see a bench seat sans upholstery.
Features
Part banquette, part-window seat, wholly chic. It’s also refreshing to see a bench seat sans upholstery.
31. Location: Chicago, USA
Features
Rustic, country charm adds a welcome warmth in this built-in dining nook.
Features
Rustic, country charm adds a welcome warmth in this built-in dining nook.
32. Location: Seattle, USA
Features
Sleek and sophisticated, this elongated bench seat makes seating 10 easy.
Features
Sleek and sophisticated, this elongated bench seat makes seating 10 easy.
33. Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Designer: Donna Guyler Design
Features
A custom banquette rising up on tippy-toes. Now why haven’t we seen more banquettes on little feet?
Read more:
10 Tricks to Style a Small Dining Area
Tell us:
Which built-in banquette or bench seat would you like to be relaxing at right now? Tell us your favourite in the Comments below.
Designer: Donna Guyler Design
Features
A custom banquette rising up on tippy-toes. Now why haven’t we seen more banquettes on little feet?
Read more:
10 Tricks to Style a Small Dining Area
Tell us:
Which built-in banquette or bench seat would you like to be relaxing at right now? Tell us your favourite in the Comments below.
Related Stories
Decorating Ideas
35 Serene Puja Room Designs
Take a leaf out of these elegantly designed, beautiful prayer rooms on Houzz
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Turn One Room Into Two With These Genius Ideas
Carve out an extra room within your home with these fab room-splitting tips and tricks
Full Story
Small Spaces
7 Stylish Ways to Dry Your Laundry In a Small Apartment
Has your drying rack become a perpetual eyesore in your home? These dapper laundry drying solutions have you covered
Full Story
Decorating Guides
7 Types of Glass That Allow in Light & Privacy
These glass products and treatments will increase privacy without losing natural light
Full Story
Most Popular
Which False Ceiling Material is Better: Gypsum or POP?
Here is all you need to know about the difference between gypsum and POP before you commit to a ceiling
Full Story
More Room Guides
No Space for a Walk-In Wardrobe? Think Again
By Laura Wheat
Think again with these tips for maxing your clothing capacity and adding a dressing room feel
Full Story
Dining Rooms
12 Breakfast Nooks Cool Enough for a Dinner Party
By Susan Redman
Forget eating side-by-side at a breakfast bar or supping at a long dinner table – the cosy kitchen nook is a far more hip way to dine
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
Indoor Plants You Just Can't Kill
These greens can up your decor game and refresh the indoor air but do not demand much in return
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
10 Must-Have Elements in an Inspiring Home Gym
Make your workout zone a space that inspires you to get your sweat on
Full Story
Decorating Guides
False Ceiling: Yes or No?
If you are in two minds about installing a false ceiling, this should help you make up your mind
Full Story
I have always loved banquette seating as a flexible seating area that you can also lounge over but also as a space saver. It is so 60's and a fun way to dine. My favourite is no. 28 in Melbourne for this very reason.
Although being a tall person I find that most banquettes are either too high and then from an ergonomic point of view it doesn't work with the table height. This is critical in achieving a successful banquette arrangement. You should also make sure that the table isn't too oversized for the seating area and that there are curves on the table top for ease of movement around the seats.
Thanks for sharing this article.
1&2 are very lovely 28 is nice too
Does anyone know the tables in 1 and 2?