No room to pull out chairs
Chairs need space behind them to slide out. A bench against the wall needs none, so the same table fits in a tighter spot.
Serving Glen Ellyn & nearby Wheaton, Lombard
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Glen Ellyn, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in Glen Ellyn kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Local crews working in Glen Ellyn ZIP 60137
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in Glen Ellyn
A banquette fits more people into a corner than a table and chairs ever will. Our finish carpenters build benches into Glen Ellyn kitchens and nooks with drawers or lift-up seats underneath, set at a comfortable height for a standard dining table.
A breakfast nook nobody uses
Nooks with loose chairs feel cramped. Fixed seating against the wall uses the space much better.
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.
No storage near the table
Under-seat storage turns the bench into a cabinet. Drawers are easier to reach than lift-up lids when people are sitting.
Worn-out old banquette
An older built-in with failing cushions and loose boards can be rebuilt with new boxes, storage and fresh upholstery.
Awkward kitchen corner
If a corner of the kitchen has no purpose, a built-in L-shaped bench and a table give it one.
Not enough seats for the family
Benches fit an extra person or two compared with chairs, especially with kids, who slide in easily.
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.
What's included
- Measuring the nookWe measure walls, windows, bays, outlets and vents in the area.
- Sizing the bench and tableWe plan the bench layout and the table so people can slide in and sit comfortably.
- Building the bench boxesPlywood bench boxes built and fastened to the wall framing and floor.
- Storage under the seatUnder-seat drawers or lids built into each bench section.
- Seat backs and trimBackrests and trim finished to match the kitchen or the nook.
- FinishingPainted or stained to match the cabinets or as a deliberate contrast.
- Cushions and tableWe help size cushions and the table so the setup works together.
Finishes and options
Drawers vs. lift-up seatsDrawers are easier to reach; lift-up seats hold more but need people to stand.
Straight, L-shaped and U-shaped banquettesThe shape follows the space: one wall, a corner or a bay window.
Pedestal and trestle tablesRound tables suit corners and bays; rectangular ones suit straight benches.
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.
What the work looks like in Glen Ellyn homes
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a 1950s ranch, Glen Ellyn
This one is a 1950s ranch in Glen Ellyn. What we started with: 9-inch vinyl floor tiles and a round fluorescent ceiling ring. The main complaint was a breakfast nook that never got used. The result: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. Work included building the bench boxes, storage under the seat, plus finishing.
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a 1990s two-story colonial, Wheaton
A 1990s two-story colonial near Danada Square area, a typical kitchen for Wheaton. Before: oak parquet and a brass chandelier over the nook. The reason for the call: not enough seats around the kitchen table. Finished kitchen: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. On site this meant measuring the nook, storage under the seat, plus seat backs and trim.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Wheaton →
Before
AfterA Lombard 1960s ranch: before and after
This one is a 1960s ranch in Lombard. Before: vinyl in a checker pattern and a dome ceiling light. 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. Work included sizing the bench and table, storage under the seat, plus cushions and table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Lombard →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Glen Ellyn
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 Glen Ellyn →
Before
AfterKitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in a postwar bi-level, Glen Ellyn
Finished: a new island in navy with a warm walnut butcher block top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Glen Ellyn →The project, step by step
- Send photos of the spaceShow us the space and tell us how many people you want to seat.
- 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 Glen Ellyn homeowners
What about outlets and heat vents behind the bench?
Outlets are moved to stay accessible, and floor or wall registers are vented through the bench so the room still heats.
Can a banquette go against a window?
Windows are a great backdrop. We plan the seat back around the sill height.
What is a built-in kitchen bench called?
Banquette is the common term, often used together with breakfast nook.
Are banquettes worth it?
They're worth it when the space is tight or awkward. In a big open dining room, chairs may be more flexible.
Can a banquette have storage?
Most of ours do: drawers for easy access or lift-up lids for larger items.
Do I need a Glen Ellyn-registered contractor for banquette build?
Contractors must register with the Village and meet license and insurance requirements (Village Code 4-1-11); work that does not need a building permit is exempt. We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Glen Ellyn?
Yes. Our crews work across Glen Ellyn — ZIP 60137 — and nearby Wheaton, Lombard, Glendale Heights.
Working in Glen Ellyn
- A lot of Glen Ellyn kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Glen Ellyn 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 60137
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in Glen Ellyn
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.