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 Naperville & nearby Lisle, Warrenville
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Naperville, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in Naperville kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Kitchen remodels across Naperville ZIP 60540, 60563, 60564, 60565
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in Naperville
Bay windows, empty corners and the end of a kitchen run are where banquettes work best. In Naperville 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
Comfort comes from the numbers: seat height with the cushion, a depth that supports your legs and a back that leans a little. We plan those before building.
A breakfast nook nobody uses
Nooks with loose chairs feel cramped. Fixed seating against the wall uses the space much better.
Not enough seats for the family
When everyone can't sit at once, a banquette along the wall usually adds seats without enlarging the table area.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Everything in a banquette build
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
Cushions and upholsteryPerformance fabrics or vinyl hold up best in a kitchen.
Pedestal and trestle tablesRound tables suit corners and bays; rectangular ones suit straight benches.
Painted or stained woodPaint-grade wood that matches the cabinets, or stained wood for a furniture look.
Before and after: kitchens near Naperville
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Naperville
A 1990s two-story colonial near Downtown Naperville, a typical kitchen for Naperville. 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 measuring the nook, outlets and heat registers, plus finishing.
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Lisle
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Four Lakes Village. 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. After: 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, sizing the bench and table, plus finishing.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Lisle →
Before
AfterBolingbrook kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Westbury. What we started with: 12-inch beige ceramic tile and two hanging glass pendants. The reason for the call: a breakfast nook that never got used. After: 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 storage under the seat.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Bolingbrook →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Naperville
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 Naperville →
Before
AfterA Naperville 1980s two-story: before and after
What changed: a new island in dusty blue with a black honed granite top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Naperville →How your banquette build goes
- Send photos of the spaceShow us the space and tell us how many people you want to seat.
- Measure and planWe measure, check outlets and vents and sketch the bench, table 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 Naperville homeowners
How long does it take to build a banquette?
Building and installing usually takes several days; cushions and the table may follow separately.
Can a banquette go against a window?
Often. The bench back stays under the sill, and we check that the window can still be opened.
Banquette or kitchen island seating?
If you want a real table, a banquette. If you want counter space plus a few stools, an island.
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.
Are banquettes worth it?
For small eat-in areas, usually yes. They seat more people in less space and add storage under the seat.
Do I need a permit for banquette build in Naperville?
It depends on the scope. Naperville's rule in short: Remodeling such as kitchens requires a permit, as do electrical work (minor repairs and low-voltage excepted), plumbing pipe/fixture installation or rearrangement, and structural changes. We handle the permit when one is needed with Transportation, Engineering and Development (TED) Business Group, Building Permits.
Do you work in my part of Naperville?
Yes. Our crews work across Naperville, including Downtown Naperville, Highlands, Tamarack — ZIP 60540, 60563, 60564, 60565 — and nearby Lisle, Warrenville, Bolingbrook.
Working in Naperville
- A lot of Naperville kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Naperville homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in the Naperville Historic District? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Downtown NapervilleHighlandsTamarack
ZIP 60540ZIP 60563ZIP 60564ZIP 60565
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in Naperville
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.