Large eat-in area with a table that feels lost
In a newer open kitchen, a built-in bench gives the eating area a defined, comfortable spot.
Serving Plainfield & nearby Bolingbrook, Naperville
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Plainfield, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in Plainfield kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Kitchen remodels across Plainfield ZIP 60544, 60585, 60586, 60543
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in Plainfield
A banquette fits more people into a corner than a table and chairs ever will. Our finish carpenters build benches into Plainfield kitchens and nooks with drawers or lift-up seats underneath, set at a comfortable height for a standard dining table.
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.
Awkward kitchen corner
An L-shaped banquette tucks into a corner and seats more people than chairs could, with storage under both runs.
Not enough seats for the family
Benches fit an extra person or two compared with chairs, especially with kids, who slide in easily.
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.
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.
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.
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 the project covers
- Measuring the nookA visit to measure the space and note anything in the walls behind the bench.
- 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 seatUnder-seat drawers or lids built into each bench section.
- 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.
- Cushions and tableSeat and back cushions coordinated with an upholsterer, and a table chosen to fit.
Choices you'll make
Drawers vs. lift-up seatsDrawers for things you use often, hinged lids for seasonal storage.
Pedestal and trestle tablesRound tables suit corners and bays; rectangular ones suit straight benches.
Cushions and upholsteryPerformance fabrics or vinyl hold up best in a kitchen.
Straight, L-shaped and U-shaped banquettesStraight benches for a wall, L-shapes for corners and U-shapes for bays.
Backs: paneled, upholstered or openThe back can be solid wood, cushioned or the wall itself with a cushion.
Kitchens like yours in Plainfield: before and after
Before
AfterA Plainfield 2000s open-plan home: before and after
This one is a 2000s open-plan home in Plainfield. Before: gray wood-look plank tile and black cage pendants. What bothered the owners most: 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 outlets and heat registers, finishing, plus cushions and table.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bolingbrook
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Colonial Village. What we started with: 12-inch beige ceramic tile and two hanging glass pendants. What bothered the owners most: 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. On site this meant measuring the nook, seat backs and trim, plus finishing.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Bolingbrook →
Before
AfterNaperville kitchen, 1980s two-story: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
The site: a 1980s two-story near Downtown Naperville. The kitchen as it was: 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, outlets and heat registers, plus storage under the seat.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Naperville →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 2000s open-plan home in Plainfield
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 Plainfield →
Before
AfterA Plainfield newer open-plan house: before and after
Finished: a new island in dusty blue with a bright white quartz top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Plainfield →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 Plainfield homeowners
What is a built-in kitchen bench called?
Banquette is the common term, often used together with breakfast nook.
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.
What about outlets and heat vents behind the bench?
We don't cover vents or outlets. An electrician relocates outlets and we build a grille into the bench for the heat.
What table works with a banquette?
We recommend a table with a center pedestal and size it to the bench length.
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 Plainfield-registered contractor for banquette build?
Village business license ($25 annually) applies to corporate, retail and home businesses. We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Plainfield?
Yes. Our crews work across Plainfield — ZIP 60544, 60585, 60586, 60543 — and nearby Bolingbrook, Naperville, Aurora.
Working in Plainfield
- Many Plainfield homes were built after 2000, so cabinet boxes and plumbing are usually solid and an update moves fast.
- Most Plainfield homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in the Downtown Historic District? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
ZIP 60544ZIP 60585ZIP 60586ZIP 60543
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in Plainfield
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.