Bench that's uncomfortable to sit on
A bench that's too deep, too high or perfectly upright gets avoided. We set seat height, depth and a slight back angle with the cushion thickness in mind.
Serving Bartlett & nearby Hanover Park, Carol Stream
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Bartlett, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in Bartlett kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Local crews working in Bartlett ZIP 60103, 60120
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in Bartlett
Bay windows, empty corners and the end of a kitchen run are where banquettes work best. In Bartlett we measure the space, plan seat depth and table clearance, and deal with the outlets and heat registers in the wall behind before we build.
Outlet or heat register in the way
Covering a heat vent with a bench blocks the warm air. We route it through the toe kick or a front grille so the room still heats.
Worn-out old banquette
An older built-in with failing cushions and loose boards can be rebuilt with new boxes, storage and fresh upholstery.
Kitchen open to the family room with no defined dining spot
A built-in bench can define a dining area in an open kitchen without adding walls.
A breakfast nook nobody uses
If the eat-in corner collects mail instead of people, the seating is the problem. A banquette makes it a place you want to sit.
Awkward kitchen corner
If a corner of the kitchen has no purpose, a built-in L-shaped bench and a table give it one.
Island seating that isn't working
If nobody stays long at the island, a built-in bench and table offers seating with a backrest.
Empty bay window
Bays tend to become dead space with a plant or a chair in them. Built-in seating that follows the angles turns them into the best seat in the house.
What the project covers
- Measuring the nookA visit to measure the space and note anything in the walls behind the bench.
- Sizing the bench and tableSeat height, depth, back angle and table size planned together.
- Outlets and heat registersAnything in the wall or floor behind the bench is moved or vented through it.
- Building the bench boxesSturdy frames anchored to studs so the bench doesn't move.
- Seat backs and trimAngled backs, paneling or beadboard and trim to suit the room.
- FinishingPaint or stain, filled and sanded for a furniture finish.
- Cushions and tableWe help size cushions and the table so the setup works together.
Materials and options
Drawers vs. lift-up seatsDrawers for things you use often, hinged lids for seasonal storage.
Straight, L-shaped and U-shaped banquettesThe shape follows the space: one wall, a corner or a bay window.
Painted or stained woodPaint-grade wood that matches the cabinets, or stained wood for a furniture look.
Cushions and upholsteryLoose cushions or fixed upholstered seats in durable, cleanable fabric.
Backs: paneled, upholstered or openWood-paneled backs, tufted upholstery or a simple open back against the wall.
What the work looks like in Bartlett homes
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bartlett
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bartlett. The kitchen as it was: 12-inch beige ceramic tile and two hanging glass pendants. What bothered the owners most: an empty corner with a wobbly table nobody used. The result: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. The job covered sizing the bench and table, outlets and heat registers, plus building the bench boxes.
Before
AfterA Hanover Park 1970s tract home: before and after
This one is a 1970s tract home in Hanover Park. The kitchen as it was: orange-brown linoleum and a hanging swag lamp. The main complaint was an empty corner with a wobbly table nobody used. Finished kitchen: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. The job covered outlets and heat registers, seat backs and trim, plus cushions and table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Hanover Park →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Carol Stream
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Carol Stream. The kitchen as it was: oak parquet and a brass chandelier over the nook. The main complaint was a bay window with no real place to sit. The result: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. On site this meant sizing the bench and table, building the bench boxes, plus finishing.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Carol Stream →
Before
AfterBartlett kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: pantry design & installation
What changed: the closet next to the kitchen rebuilt as a pantry with solid wood shelves, pull-out baskets on the bottom and a light.
Pantry Design & Installation in Bartlett →
Before
AfterA Bartlett 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
A new island in dusty blue with a dark soapstone-look quartz top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Bartlett →How your banquette build goes
- Send photos of the spaceA few photos of the corner, bay or nook and rough measurements are enough to start.
- Measure and planWe measure, check outlets and vents and sketch the bench, table and storage.
- Written estimateAn itemized estimate for the bench, storage, finish and any electrical or vent changes.
- Build and installWe build, finish and install the banquette, then make final adjustments with you.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette questions from Bartlett homeowners
Do you do the cushions?
The seat is built to fit standard or custom cushions; we can coordinate the upholstery for you.
What table works with a banquette?
A pedestal or trestle table, so legs don't get in the way. Round for corners and bays, rectangular for straight benches.
Can a banquette have storage?
Most of ours do: drawers for easy access or lift-up lids for larger items.
What is a built-in kitchen bench called?
Usually a banquette. You'll also hear breakfast nook, booth seating or built-in bench.
Can a banquette go against a window?
Windows are a great backdrop. We plan the seat back around the sill height.
Bartlett contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors must be licensed by the Village of Bartlett (per trade); licensing questions via Main Office 630-837-0800. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for banquette build in Bartlett?
It depends on the scope. Bartlett's rule in short: Building permits are required for all construction and home improvement projects, whether done by homeowner or contractor; Remodel is a listed permit type. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building Division (Planning & Development Services).
Do you work in my part of Bartlett?
Yes. Our crews work across Bartlett — ZIP 60103, 60120 — and nearby Hanover Park, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale.
Working in Bartlett
- A lot of Bartlett kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Bartlett homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Building Division (Planning & Development Services) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60103ZIP 60120
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in Bartlett
Pull-Out Shelves & Cabinet OrganizersRoll-out shelves and organizers built to fit your existing cabinets.
Pantry Design & InstallationPantry cabinets, closet conversions and walk-in shelving, built to fit.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula InstallationNew islands and peninsulas with seating and storage.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.