Island seating that isn't working
Stools at an island don't suit small kids or long meals. A banquette nearby gives a proper table and back support.
Serving Geneva & nearby Batavia, St. Charles
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Geneva, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in Geneva kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Kitchen remodels across Geneva ZIP 60134, 60510
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in Geneva
Bay windows, empty corners and the end of a kitchen run are where banquettes work best. In Geneva 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.
Bench that's uncomfortable to sit on
If an old banquette feels like a church pew, we rebuild it with a sensible seat depth and an angled back.
Empty bay window
A bay window is an ideal spot for a U-shaped or angled banquette. We build the bench to follow the bay so the table sits in the light.
A breakfast nook nobody uses
Nooks with loose chairs feel cramped. Fixed seating against the wall uses the space much better.
Outlet or heat register in the way
Wall outlets behind a banquette are moved to the side or above the seat back; we bring in an electrician for that part.
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.
No room to pull out chairs
Built-in seating saves the clearance chairs need, which is often what makes a small eat-in area work.
Table that's hard to slide into
Table legs in the way make benches miserable. A pedestal or trestle base lets people slide in from the side.
What the project covers
- 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.
- Building the bench boxesSturdy frames anchored to studs so the bench doesn't move.
- Storage under the seatUnder-seat drawers or lids built into each bench section.
- 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 tableSeat and back cushions coordinated with an upholsterer, and a table chosen to fit.
Finishes and options
Pedestal and trestle tablesRound tables suit corners and bays; rectangular ones suit straight benches.
Straight, L-shaped and U-shaped banquettesThe shape follows the space: one wall, a corner or a bay window.
Backs: paneled, upholstered or openWood-paneled backs, tufted upholstery or a simple open back against the wall.
Painted or stained woodA painted or stained finish chosen to match or contrast with the kitchen.
Cushions and upholsteryPerformance fabrics or vinyl hold up best in a kitchen.
Before and after: kitchens near Geneva
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Geneva
The site: a 1980s two-story near Mill Creek. What we started with: oak parquet and a brass chandelier over the nook. What bothered the owners most: 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. The job covered measuring the nook, building the bench boxes, plus finishing.
Before
AfterBatavia kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Batavia. The kitchen as it was: beige sheet vinyl and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. 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 measuring the nook, seat backs and trim, plus finishing.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Batavia →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in West Chicago
This one is a 1980s two-story in West Chicago. The kitchen as it was: 12-inch beige ceramic tile and two hanging glass pendants. The reason for the call: an empty corner with a wobbly table nobody used. After: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. Work included sizing the bench and table, building the bench boxes, plus finishing.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in West Chicago →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Geneva
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 Geneva →
Before
AfterGeneva kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen island & peninsula installation
A new island in dusty blue with a dark soapstone-look quartz top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Geneva →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 planA visit to measure and draw the layout, seat heights and storage.
- Written estimateYou get a written quote listing every part, including cushions if we coordinate them.
- Build and installWe build, finish and install the banquette, then make final adjustments with you.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette questions from Geneva homeowners
Can a banquette go against a window?
Yes. We set the back height below the windowsill so the window still opens and the trim stays visible.
Can a banquette have storage?
Yes, and it's one of the main reasons people choose built-in seating.
Banquette or kitchen island seating?
Some kitchens have both. In smaller rooms a banquette often fits where an island would crowd the aisles.
Are banquettes worth it?
If you have a corner, bay or nook that's going unused, a banquette is one of the most practical ways to use it.
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.
Geneva contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
None: the City does not have contractor registration (contractor name, address, phone and license numbers if required go on the application). We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for banquette build in Geneva?
It depends on the scope. Geneva's rule in short: A building permit is required before any construction or alteration; separate Kitchen Remodel permit form exists. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building & Zoning Division (Building Division), 109 James St..
Do you work in my part of Geneva?
Yes. Our crews work across Geneva, including Mill Creek — ZIP 60134, 60510 — and nearby Batavia, St. Charles, West Chicago.
Working in Geneva
- A lot of Geneva kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Geneva homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in the Geneva Historic District and designated Historic Landmarks? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Mill Creek
ZIP 60134ZIP 60510
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in Geneva
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.