Is Banquette Seating Right For Your Kitchen? The Big Downside You Should Consider

Who doesn't love the sophisticated cafe vibes that banquette seating can provide? This seating configuration, which generally features a padded or upholstered bench with the back against a wall, can make any kitchen or dining room feel like an upscale restaurant. If you've ever had to climb or slide in and out of banquette seating in a restaurant, though, you may have noticed the big downside this seating has — it can be extremely awkward to get in and out of.

The banquette seating trend may be taking over, but think carefully before you join in. While the awkwardness of climbing in and out of the seats may be just a minor annoyance for you, it could make it almost impossible for anyone using a wheelchair or dealing with other mobility issues to enjoy a comfortable meal. It's not just about the seats themselves, either. Often, banquette seating is accompanied by higher-than-average table heights, adding to the challenge of bringing a wheelchair up to the table. Those with mobility challenges aren't the only ones for whom banquette seating isn't a good fit. It can also be a challenge for young children as the seats don't have any good way to secure a booster onto them. Even if none of those downsides are relevant to you right now, they could make it significantly more difficult for guests to enjoy meals at your home.

If you truly love the look of banquette seating, you don't have to rule it out entirely. Just make sure your bench isn't so long that people are forced to slide along it or climb over each other to get out, and provide other seating options as well. Opting for a table whose surface is just under 3 feet from the ground should make it comfortable for wheelchair users to roll their chairs up to the table, too. 

Another thing to keep in mind when creating accessible banquet seating is the design of the table itself. A square or rectangular table with a leg at each corner can be particularly challenging to maneuver around with banquette seating. Consider instead opting for a round or oval table with a central pedestal so guests don't have to climb over the table legs to enter or exit their seats. Not having table legs in the way should also make it easier to bring wheelchairs up to the table comfortably. 

This may mean you can't just buy a pre-made banquette dining set and put it in your kitchen. Luckily, you can DIY some adorable banquette seating and perfectly customize it to your and your family's needs. While making your kitchen more accessible is about more than just the seating options, the right table and chairs can go a long way towards making your space welcoming for everyone.