Kitchen open to the family room with no defined dining spot
A built-in bench can define a dining area in an open kitchen without adding walls.
Serving West Chicago & nearby Winfield, Carol Stream
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in West Chicago, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in West Chicago kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Kitchen remodels across West Chicago ZIP 60185
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in West Chicago
Bay windows, empty corners and the end of a kitchen run are where banquettes work best. In West Chicago 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.
Table that's hard to slide into
We size and position the table so you can slide along the bench without climbing over legs.
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.
Empty bay window
If your kitchen has a bay, a banquette that fits its shape is one of the most natural uses for it.
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
An L-shaped banquette tucks into a corner and seats more people than chairs could, with storage under both runs.
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.
A breakfast nook nobody uses
If the eat-in corner collects mail instead of people, the seating is the problem. A banquette makes it a place you want to sit.
What the project covers
- Measuring the nookA visit to measure the space and note anything in the walls behind the bench.
- Sizing the bench and tableWe plan the bench layout and the table so people can slide in and sit comfortably.
- 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.
- 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 tableWe help size cushions and the table so the setup works together.
Choices you'll make
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.
Backs: paneled, upholstered or openWood-paneled backs, tufted upholstery or a simple open back against the wall.
Straight, L-shaped and U-shaped banquettesStraight benches for a wall, L-shapes for corners and U-shapes for bays.
Cushions and upholsteryPerformance fabrics or vinyl hold up best in a kitchen.
Kitchens like yours in West Chicago: before and after
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, West Chicago
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in West Chicago. Before: 12-inch beige ceramic tile and two hanging glass pendants. What bothered the owners most: 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. On site this meant building the bench boxes, seat backs and trim, plus finishing.
Before
AfterWinfield kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Winfield. The kitchen as it was: beige sheet vinyl and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. The reason for the call: a breakfast nook that never got used. Finished kitchen: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. On site this meant outlets and heat registers, finishing, plus cushions and table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Winfield →
Before
AfterCarol Stream kitchen, 1980s two-story: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
This one is a 1980s two-story in Carol Stream. What we started with: oak parquet and a brass chandelier over the nook. What bothered the owners most: not enough seats around the kitchen table. 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 Carol Stream →
Before
AfterA West Chicago two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
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 West Chicago →
Before
AfterA West Chicago 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 West Chicago →From first visit to final walk-through
- 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 West Chicago homeowners
Do you do the cushions?
The seat is built to fit standard or custom cushions; we can coordinate the upholstery for you.
What is a built-in kitchen bench called?
A banquette, or simply built-in bench seating.
Can a banquette have storage?
Yes. We build drawers in the bench face or hinged seats that lift up.
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.
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.
West Chicago contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors and subcontractors working in West Chicago must be registered with the City (insurance, licensing and bonding are checked). We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for banquette build in West Chicago?
It depends on the scope. West Chicago's rule in short: West Chicago requires a building permit for certain home improvement and remodeling projects; the city publishes an Additions & Remodeling permit guide with a submittal checklist. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department.
Do you work in my part of West Chicago?
Yes. Our crews work across West Chicago — ZIP 60185 — and nearby Winfield, Carol Stream, St. Charles.
Working in West Chicago
- A lot of West Chicago kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most West Chicago homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60185
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in West Chicago
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.