Designs for Living: 20 Inspiring Banquettes
Banquettes Bring Ultra-Flexible Seating to Dining Areas, Windows and More
With the entertaining season in full swing, I keep finding myself making a mad dash around the house, scooping up stray chairs from their regular surroundings to stand in as extra dining room seating for guests. What I could use is more accommodating furniture, like the versatile banquette. On a regular day it can seat one or two, but can just as easily hold many more when necessary—just try doing the same with a dining chair.
Use several different fabrics for the pillows, seat, and back cushions to make a visual impact even behind a table.
A deep banquette doubles as a comfortable lounge spot on lazy Sunday mornings.
Here a banquette works as a window seat and dining area in one.
Piles of pillows pick up colors from the prints above.
Beadboard delineates the space here, and takes the place of a standard seat back.
When there's limited space to move a chair in and out, a stationary seat is the better option. These banquettes fit snugly here, but don't appear cramped, as chairs most certainly would.
Leave the opposite side of the table open to take in a view, or for a quiet spot to enjoy a cup of coffee a duex.
Think outside the kitchen: Banquette seating provides extra play space (and storage) in a children's room too.
Include a tailored, padded back for additional comfort.
A thin, long bolster pillow will do the trick too.
For smaller spaces, it beats out a bulky sofa.
... And brings a spot to sit where you might not otherwise expect one.
Just as a banquette helps when squeezing guests around a table, it can accommodate extra folks when entertaining in the living room too.
Arranging your furniture around a TV can cause problems when company calls. A banquette under the tube is unobtrusive when you're watching, but provides more spots to sit when needed.
This one looks just as comfortable as a sectional, but with a tailored finish that's more appropriate for eating.
Curved seating mimics the shape of a round table, taking full advantage of every inch of dining space.
Is it still considered banquette seating if it's nowhere near the wall? I couldn't tell you, but don't let that stop you from giving it a try.
More: Consider the Banquette
More: Consider the Banquette