Get This Look: Built-in Banquette Bench

I think the thing I love most about banquettes is that they really can be adapted to fit almost any space. While many banquette benches traditionally wrap around a corner to form a nook, this open layout features a built-in window seat banquette bench and I love the look! If you’d love a window banquette in your home, read on for our seven tips for bringing this casual but classic design to life.

One of the keys to this look is balancing the classic and casual elements so the room is polished but still comfortable and relaxed.

Don’t have the budget, tools, or time for crown molding? Enhance the custom and stylish look of the bench by building in a shelf on either side, following our plans for built-in bookshelves or a built-in corner bookshelf.

The dark metal of the fixture draws attention and makes it a piece of art instead of just a light source. See how Kristen from Lipstick and Sawdust pieced together hanging lanterns for her kitchen, and Mandi from Vintage Revivals created her own custom lights out of glass urns. Using louvered shutters like these allows you to quickly and easily control the amount of natural light you let in, so you can have bright cheery breakfasts without later being blinding by the afternoon sun. While shutters might be a bit pricier than other window treatments, they will be easier to adjust than blinds and keep up the clean, classic lines of the bookshelves and crown molding.

Try buckets in white or shiny tin for a cleaner look, or aged zinc for a more casual look. I love the carved handles and clean wood look of this bamboo butler’s tray.

Help keep the room feeling cheerful and homey by mixing the furniture styles and adding a simple rug to define the space.