There are many options when it comes to seating for a dining table - all kinds of chairs and, of course, benches and banquettes.

I’ve had banquettes on the brain this week because I have a couple of current projects where we will be using them…more on that below.

A banquette generally refers to a bench type upholstered seat, often with a back, that is built in, while a dining bench is a freestanding piece of furniture that functions the same way. 

Sometimes free-standing dining benches with upholstered seats and backs are referred to as banquettes, so it can get murky.  But no matter what you call it, it can be a great option for a number of reasons.

Instant coziness

The addition of upholstery with a sofa-like feel to a dining area adds instant coziness.

In a space typically filled with hard surfaces, breaking up that sea of wood (or glass or stone) with softer pieces is a huge benefit.

Banquettes offer the opportunity and space to add throw pillows too which can introduce more color and texture.

They also make for a more romantic atmosphere, evoke luxury, and offer a leisurely stay-a-while invitation to linger over a nice meal.

This dining area in my friend Linda’s condo with an upholstered dining bench is SO inviting!

From a practical standpoint, banquettes and benches have some distinct advantages - there is a reason they are a popular restaurant option!

More seats

Banquettes don’t need to move in and out like chairs do, so diners can be seated closer together as this seat type saves the space required for chair legs to maneuver.

Because of this they are a popular and practical option for seating a passel of smaller dining parties (aka children), or wherever you need to eke out as many seats as possible - limited only but the size of the attendant derrieres!

We designed this corner banquette to take full advantage of ALL the limited available space in this young families city condo.  I had them test drive the performance fabric swatch for the cushion before we ordered it to make sure it would hold up to whatever the kids could dish out!

Less floor space

For dining areas with limited space, a banquette is a great solution because it goes right against a wall and the table can be pushed right up to it.

You save the 3 feet of clearance needed around the table to maneuver chairs and leave walk space.

Current Projects

That last one, less floor space, is the primary reason for using them in the current projects I mentioned earlier that inspired this post.

The first is a just 10’ wide dining space - and we want to decrease that depth even further with a slightly deeper storage piece than the built in that is there, so a banquette is really the only solution. 

AND it will give us the opportunity to add some fabric personality for this very fun couple who self-describe as: “we are NOT “the plainer is better” New Englanders, nor “50 shades of gray” Millennials!” 🤣

The second is the continuing saga of the Diva’s Berlin apartment with the tiny eating area.  It just got a little tinier this week with the arrival of a grown up size fridge (yay!) to replace the doll sized one built into the cabinet with the freezer compartment big enough for either 2 popsicles OR a bag of frozen peas, take your pick!

There was a recently acquired storage shelf to consider, though it was less needed with the newly reclaimed cabinet and the new fridge storage.

I did a variety of layout options, but the Diva’s favorite (and mine) is the longer bench seat against the wall.  It was the option that ultimately won.

Her online search for the right size bench on the German websites turned up some hilarious and hideous results…

Here are a few

The bench (the pretty green one) is on order, along with pillows. And the plug in pendant lamp is being hung today!  It will be a delightful and cozy little dining corner when it is all done!

Practical considerations if you are entertaining (haha) the thought of using a dining banquette:

Pedestal tables are the best option with a dining banquette.

Getting seated at a table should not be an olympic event. Getting past corner table legs to scooch onto the seat can be challenging. And getting the table close enough to a diner seated on the banquette means it should overlap the seat - a difficult feat if table legs are in the way.

If your table is rectangular, rather than ovate, you will likely need a banquette without arms and/or one that is about a foot longer than the table on either end for ease of access.

Window seats are a natural for banquette seating!

Have I sold you on the merits of dining banquette seating?  It all depends on the situation and the room, of course, but it is definitely a worthy contender for dining spaces!

Other posts you might enjoy

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