A breakfast nook nobody uses
A small table with chairs that bump the wall rarely gets used. A built-in bench along the wall makes the nook comfortable and keeps the walkway open.
Serving Winfield & nearby Wheaton, Carol Stream
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Winfield, IL
We build banquette benches and breakfast nooks in Winfield kitchens, with storage under the seat and a table sized to fit.
- Local crews working in Winfield ZIP 60190, 60185
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Eat-in kitchen problems a banquette solves in Winfield
A banquette fits more people into a corner than a table and chairs ever will. Our finish carpenters build benches into Winfield 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
If an old banquette feels like a church pew, we rebuild it with a sensible seat depth and an angled back.
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.
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
When chairs hit the wall or the island every time someone stands up, a banquette on one or two sides solves it.
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.
Awkward kitchen corner
If a corner of the kitchen has no purpose, a built-in L-shaped bench and a table give it one.
Outlet or heat register in the way
Wall outlets behind a banquette are moved to the side or above the seat back; we bring in an electrician for that part.
What the project covers
- 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.
- Outlets and heat registersAnything in the wall or floor behind the bench is moved or vented through it.
- Building the bench boxesSturdy frames anchored to studs so the bench doesn't move.
- Storage under the seatDrawers in the bench face or hinged lift-up seats, as you prefer.
- 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.
Finishes and options
Cushions and upholsteryPerformance fabrics or vinyl hold up best in a kitchen.
Straight, L-shaped and U-shaped banquettesThe shape follows the space: one wall, a corner or a bay window.
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.
Backs: paneled, upholstered or openWood-paneled backs, tufted upholstery or a simple open back against the wall.
What the work looks like in Winfield homes
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a 1980s two-story, Winfield
This one is a 1980s two-story in Winfield. Before: beige sheet vinyl and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. 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. The job covered sizing the bench and table, outlets and heat registers, plus building the bench boxes.
Before
AfterWheaton kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial near Downtown Wheaton. 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. After: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. The job covered measuring the nook, building the bench boxes, plus cushions and table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Wheaton →
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a 1990s two-story colonial, West Chicago
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial 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. After: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table. Work included measuring the nook, storage under the seat, plus cushions and table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in West Chicago →
Before
AfterA Winfield two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
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 Winfield →
Before
AfterWinfield kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen island & peninsula installation
What changed: a new island in terracotta with a warm walnut butcher block top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Winfield →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 installWe build, finish and install the banquette, then make final adjustments with you.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette questions from Winfield homeowners
How much does a built-in banquette cost?
A straight bench costs less than a U-shaped bay build. We quote every part separately after the visit.
What table works with a banquette?
Tables with a central base are easiest to slide in and out of. The edge should overlap the seat a little.
Banquette or kitchen island seating?
Some kitchens have both. In smaller rooms a banquette often fits where an island would crowd the aisles.
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.
Are banquettes worth it?
If you have a corner, bay or nook that's going unused, a banquette is one of the most practical ways to use it.
Do you work in my part of Winfield?
Yes. Our crews work across Winfield — ZIP 60190, 60185 — and nearby Wheaton, Carol Stream, West Chicago.
Working in Winfield
- A lot of Winfield kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Winfield homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
ZIP 60190ZIP 60185
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette nearby
Other kitchen services in Winfield
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.