Table that's hard to slide into
The table matters as much as the bench. Its edge should slightly overlap the seat and its base should stay out of your knees.
Serving Elk Grove Village & nearby Itasca, Wood Dale
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Elk Grove Village, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in Elk Grove Village kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Local crews working in Elk Grove Village ZIP 60007
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in Elk Grove Village
Bay windows, empty corners and the end of a kitchen run are where banquettes work best. In Elk Grove Village 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.
Kitchen open to the family room with no defined dining spot
When the dining table floats in the middle of the room, building a bench against a wall anchors it.
Island seating that isn't working
Sometimes a banquette is the better choice instead of island stools, especially for families who eat together every day.
No storage near the table
The space under a bench is too good to waste. We build in drawers or hinged seats depending on how you'll use it.
Worn-out old banquette
A dated banquette with flattened cushions can often be refaced and re-cushioned, or replaced if the frame is weak.
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.
Empty bay window
If your kitchen has a bay, a banquette that fits its shape is one of the most natural uses for it.
Outlet or heat register in the way
An outlet or a floor register behind the bench needs a plan. We relocate outlets to stay accessible and carry the heat through a grille in the bench face.
What's included
- Measuring the nookWe measure walls, windows, bays, outlets and vents in the area.
- 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 boxesPlywood bench boxes built and fastened to the wall framing and floor.
- Storage under the seatDrawers in the bench face or hinged lift-up seats, as you prefer.
- Seat backs and trimAngled backs, paneling or beadboard and trim to suit the room.
- FinishingPainted or stained to match the cabinets or as a deliberate contrast.
Materials and options
Straight, L-shaped and U-shaped banquettesStraight benches for a wall, L-shapes for corners and U-shapes for bays.
Cushions and upholsteryPerformance fabrics or vinyl hold up best in a kitchen.
Drawers vs. lift-up seatsDrawers are easier to reach; lift-up seats hold more but need people to stand.
Backs: paneled, upholstered or openWood-paneled backs, tufted upholstery or a simple open back against the wall.
Pedestal and trestle tablesA center base keeps legs away from the bench so people can slide in.
Before and after: kitchens near Elk Grove Village
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Elk Grove Village
The site: a 1950s ranch in Elk Grove Village. What we started with: 9-inch vinyl floor tiles and a round fluorescent ceiling ring. 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 sizing the bench and table, seat backs and trim, plus finishing.
Before
AfterItasca kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s near South Side. Before: beige sheet vinyl and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. What bothered the owners most: a breakfast nook that never got 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, storage under the seat, plus finishing.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Itasca →
Before
AfterWood Dale kitchen, postwar Cape Cod: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
This one is a postwar Cape Cod in Wood Dale. Before: brick-pattern sheet vinyl and a fluorescent box light. The main complaint was 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 finishing.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Wood Dale →
Before
AfterAn Elk Grove Village postwar bi-level: before and after
Finished: 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 Elk Grove Village →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Elk Grove Village
A new island in dusty blue with a charcoal concrete-look quartz top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Elk Grove Village →From first visit to final walk-through
- Send photos of the spaceA few photos of the corner, bay or nook and rough measurements are enough to start.
- Measure and planA visit to measure and draw the layout, seat heights and storage.
- Written estimateAn itemized estimate for the bench, storage, finish and any electrical or vent changes.
- Build and installBench boxes built and installed, finished, then cushions and table placed.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette questions from Elk Grove Village homeowners
What is a built-in kitchen bench called?
A banquette, or simply built-in bench seating.
What table works with a banquette?
Tables with a central base are easiest to slide in and out of. The edge should overlap the seat a little.
What about outlets and heat vents behind the bench?
Both are common. We plan around them during measuring so the bench doesn't block power or airflow.
Do you do the cushions?
We size the cushions and coordinate them with an upholsterer, or build the bench for cushions you buy.
How long does it take to build a banquette?
The carpentry is usually done in days. Paint curing and upholstery add a bit of time.
Do you work in my part of Elk Grove Village?
Yes. Our crews work across Elk Grove Village — ZIP 60007 — and nearby Itasca, Wood Dale, Schaumburg.
Working in Elk Grove Village
- A lot of Elk Grove Village kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Elk Grove Village homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Older paint is treated with lead-safe practices: containment, HEPA cleanup and a clean hand-over.
ZIP 60007
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in Elk Grove Village
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.