Awkward kitchen corner
If a corner of the kitchen has no purpose, a built-in L-shaped bench and a table give it one.
Serving Skokie & nearby Evanston, Park Ridge
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Skokie, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in Skokie kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Kitchen remodels across Skokie ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in Skokie
Bay windows, empty corners and the end of a kitchen run are where banquettes work best. In Skokie 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
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.
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.
Not enough seats for the family
A bench seats people closer together than chairs. For families, that often means one more seat at the same table.
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.
Kitchen open to the family room with no defined dining spot
In an open plan, a banquette against a wall or the back of an island gives the eating area its own place.
No room to pull out chairs
When chairs hit the wall or the island every time someone stands up, a banquette on one or two sides solves it.
Everything in a banquette build
- Sizing the bench and tableWe plan the bench layout and the table so people can slide in and sit comfortably.
- Outlets and heat registersOutlets relocated by an electrician and heat routed through a grille in the bench.
- 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 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
Backs: paneled, upholstered or openWood-paneled backs, tufted upholstery or a simple open back against the wall.
Pedestal and trestle tablesRound tables suit corners and bays; rectangular ones suit straight benches.
Cushions and upholsteryLoose cushions or fixed upholstered seats in durable, cleanable fabric.
Drawers vs. lift-up seatsDrawers are easier to reach; lift-up seats hold more but need people to stand.
Painted or stained woodPaint-grade wood that matches the cabinets, or stained wood for a furniture look.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette before and after — Skokie homes
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a postwar bi-level, Skokie
The site: a postwar bi-level in Skokie. Before: 9-inch vinyl floor tiles and a round fluorescent ceiling ring. 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. The job covered outlets and heat registers, building the bench boxes, plus storage under the seat.
Before
AfterAn Evanston brick bungalow from the 1920s: before and after
This one is a brick bungalow from the 1920s in Evanston. Before: cracked vinyl over hardwood and a single pendant bowl light. 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. Work included outlets and heat registers, building the bench boxes, plus cushions and table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Evanston →
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a postwar bi-level, Glenview
A postwar bi-level near The Park, a typical kitchen for Glenview. Before: brick-pattern sheet vinyl and a fluorescent box light. What bothered the owners most: 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, outlets and heat registers, plus storage under the seat.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Glenview →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Skokie
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 Skokie →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Skokie
What changed: a new island in dusty blue with a creamy quartzite-look quartz top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Skokie →From first visit to final walk-through
- 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 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 Skokie homeowners
Can a banquette have storage?
Yes. We build drawers in the bench face or hinged seats that lift up.
Banquette or kitchen island seating?
Some kitchens have both. In smaller rooms a banquette often fits where an island would crowd the aisles.
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.
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.
Do you do the cushions?
We size the cushions and coordinate them with an upholsterer, or build the bench for cushions you buy.
Do I need a Skokie-registered contractor for banquette build?
Many contractors must be registered and insured with the Village each year; permits are not issued unless all listed contractors are registered and insured. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for banquette build in Skokie?
It depends on the scope. Skokie's rule in short: Electrical work and plumbing or electrical system changes need a permit. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division.
Do you work in my part of Skokie?
Yes. Our crews work across Skokie — ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203 — and nearby Evanston, Park Ridge, Glenview.
Working in Skokie
- A lot of Skokie kitchens date from the 1950s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Skokie homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60076ZIP 60077ZIP 60203
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in Skokie
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.