Dining rooms are not always the largest rooms in the house, but they need to accommodate a large dining table, as well as provide as much seating space as possible. That's why banquettes make so much sense: Banquettes make use of wall space and corner space, and also can be built with storage boxes underneath.

Style is another reason to install a banquette. A banquette is a statement piece. You can express your style through the textiles that you cover the banquette with.

Banquettes are also possible to build from a huge variety of materials. From brand new top of the line lumber to reclaimed shipping pallets, the sky is the limit when it comes to building a banquette.

The banquette pictured above is small, sweet, and romantic with its casually ruffled slipcover. This banquette shows what a big visual impact a banquette vs. chairs has.

This custom Corian banquette was built by Associated Fabrication, a super amazing custom carpentry company in New York City.

Check out the bolster pillows on this gorgeous banquette. They keep backs off the windows, and they create a soft but refined look. If you plan to build a custom banquette, remember that bolster pillows as a back rest totally work.

This angled banquette makes good use of a small, awkward corner space.

The pillows make this storage box banquette really pop! Hidden underneath the lavish cushions is a lid that actually opens to provide tons of hidden away extra storage. It's a fabulous storage solution for a small space.

A banquette like this one looks both homey and super luxe! Paired with a gorgeous rug, the banquette creates a cozy dining zone in an open floor plan.

Sweet, simple open storage solution: A window seat does triple duty as an open storage cabinet and as a dining banquette. Check out the cheeky mod upholstery fabric, too!

Related:

+Building a custom banquette

+Help: Find a great local remodeling contractor

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