How to Build a Kitchen Banquette
A banquette is that corner booth your family or friends sit in at your favorite restaurant. It is also called a kitchen nook. Building benches for your table top will save room for the growing family or entertainer. The banquette accommodates more people than the standard table and chairs, yet it creates personal space and can serve as added storage. Your banquette can be a celebrated plush and formal dining area for special occasions, or it can be casual for a relaxed feeling. Using old kitchen cabinets for a window bench is the easiest banquette building project.
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Things You'll Need
- Kitchen cabinet(s)
- Wood blocks
- Wood glue
- Drill
- Fence post caps
- Paintbrush
- Primer
- Paint
- Cushions
Instructions
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Building the Banquette
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1
Select the number of cabinets you wish to use. These may be short and wide from a kitchen that is, or has been, remodeled. Choose a longer cabinet with a single hung door and turn it on its side.
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2
Install wood blocks inside each of the four corners of each cabinet. Use wood glue, and then let it dry. This will give structure when attaching the feet.
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3
Drill one hole in each corner of the cabinet and twist on the fence post caps.
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4
Using a two- or three-inch paintbrush, prime your cabinets after you have washed and dried them.
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5
Paint your cabinets with the color you've chosen. Allow the paint to dry completely.
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6
Move your benches into place and decorate with cushions.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Finding the desired height of the bench will help determine what material is used for the feet or legs.
Fence post caps will have a screw pre-attached.
Use wooden feet instead of fence post caps for a lower seat.
The banquette does not have to be in a corner.
Station two benches, one across from the other.
Make curved benches, or add one bench against a long wall with chairs on the opposite side of a table.
Immobilize the cabinet by attaching it to a wall.
Add a decorative wooden back.
Upholster the bottom and back; it will be easier to slide over.Cover the upholstery with clear plastic, making it easier to clean.
Gather friends and family to your new open kitchen floor plan.
Use the extra cabinet space for storage.
Fill deep scratches with wood putty.
Sand the wood with a fine grit sand paper before you paint with primer.
Use proper ventilation when painting.
Prevent damage from spilled paint with drop cloths.
