Dave Marrs Shows Us A Handy Way To Maximize Seating And Storage Space In A Home

Better views, more space, and a style update. This wishlist might refer to anything from a NYC apartment to a suburban home, but they're almost universally the things people ask for in a renovated kitchen. And while it won't do much for your view of the playroom or the backyard, banquette seating is a popular way to find several feet of space in a tight kitchen while adding an element that can work with any interior style. In the episode "Bland Rancher Gets Global Update," Dave Marrs of "Fixer to Fabulous" pulls out this stand-by strategy. "For the dining area," Jenny Marrs writes in her blog, "Dave made a built-in corner bench to maximize the space, plus it adds storage since you can lift the top and keep things in there."

These are two things that banquettes are great for that work in almost any dining or entertainment setting where you have a table. And it's not because banquettes are boring or lowkey. These built-in benches are, in fact, an opportunity to at once ground and elevate a space that often feels like an afterthought. Some of our favorites show why the banquette seating trend exploded in 2023. Your table and chairs might seem incidental and may be the subjects of varied tastes and opinions, but a permanent banquette tells visitors: This space was created specifically so that you can sit and enjoy yourself ... and there are board games under your seat if you get bored.

All you need for a banquette is a wall adjacent to where you want a table; even an island will do. They can work set into an alcove or niche, and are at home serving a full-size dining table and a breakfast nook, or a small dining table that doesn't take up a lot of space. Even free-standing banquettes are not unheard of, though most designers will default to a simpler bench when a freestanding solution is called for. There really is a remarkable amount of freedom and flexibility with these seating stars, and it's worthwhile to consider a banquette whenever space is at a premium. A backless or low-backed banquette (which is mainly different from a bench only by virtue of its apparent heft) can be used with a small table by a window to create unobtrusive seating. Or you can line opposite sides of a small niche or bay window with small banquettes for a cozy and surprisingly accommodating conversation spot.

Storage is the other benefit that makes banquettes a recurring theme on "Fixer to Fabulous." (We found at least eight episodes where banquette-style benches were used, often specifically to add storage.) Dave Marrs made lift-away seats to reveal storage for the homeowners, but drawers and cabinet doors are also common. And the storage doesn't have to stop where your seat meets the bench's seat. You can even incorporate drawers or shelving into the backs or ends of some banquette designs.

One of the coolest things about banquette seating is that it's pretty easy to pull off as a DIY project. If you're planning a custom-built banquette, there are some useful tips to make sure you get the most out of it. For comfort, seat height is one of the key aspects of making a bench work. The average kitchen tabletop is around 29 inches from the floor, and banquette seats tend to be around 18 inches high. Some designers will want to go taller, but because banquettes usually have relatively thick cushions on them – five inches or so – don't make them taller than neighboring hard seats. Stick with 18 inches, or consider dropping down to 17. Banquettes work best with pedestal-style tables since the legs don't get in the way of scooting into the bench. Overlap the tabletop over about 1/3 of the bench's depth, and make the bench 12-16 inches longer than the table on open ends to make sliding in easier. A fixed back tends to take less room than loose cushions, which is why Team Marrs mounted their cushions on the wall. For the cushions themselves, use contract fabrics in a thick chenille, velvet, or basket weave for durability

There are ways to make the most of storage options, too. Your options include drawers, shelves, cabinets, and lift-up or lift-off seats. Drawers are more friendly to organization and easy access, but steer clear of push-to-open drawers which will be opened inadvertently.