25 Space-Savvy Banquettes with Built-in Storage Underneath

Be it a relaxing hangout in the family room, a cozy nook in the living area surrounded by books, a space in the attic bedroom that overlooks the garden below, or even a corner in the kitchen, banquettes are a great way of utilizing space to the hilt without foregoing comfort, elegance or cost-effective design. Banquettes can turn lonely corners into hip gathering spaces, and if you are a child of the 60s and 70s, there is no denying their nostalgic pull. The banquette booth is almost a must-have in retro kitchen and dining spaces. But have you ever thought about adding built-in storage underneath this already space-savvy banquette?!

Refreshing and beautiful banquette design [From: The Sky is the Limit Design / Works Photography]

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Traditional-banquette-dining-room-with-pull-out-drawers-that-offer-plenty-of-storage-space-217x155

That’s right; your delightful little banquette can offer you even more by simply utilizing the space underneath the seating. Whether you prefer pull-out drawers and shelves or just a seat that flips open to reveal one large trunk, all of us could use this extra storage space. This little hidden niche comes in even handier if you have little ones around the house who love their endless supply of toys. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the 25 best banquettes with hidden storage.

Colorful Banquette Ideas

Who wouldn’t love a bit of color when it comes to a cool banquette the dining space?! This becomes an even more fun affair when you try and mimic the playful vibe of 70s diners with colorful floral prints and bold hues that paint a vivacious picture. Even those looking for a more contemporary banquette can use color combinations such as navy blue and white to create a balance between modern sophistication and an infusion of cheerful brightness. For the banquettes in playrooms and family rooms, turn to additional décor, rugs and of course seating fabric to usher in a sense of colorful bliss.

Blue and white banquette dining with built-in storage underneath [Design: Thornton Designs]

Lovely lighting and colorful seating define a fabulous banquette dining [Design: Eric Aust Architect]

Open storage space under the bright banquette with midcentury décor [Design: Four Brothers / Christopher Patrick]

Banquette in the family room couples ample seating space with hidden storage [Design: Amy Sklar Design]

Custom zinc table and a sunny corner banquette create a great gathering spot for the entire family! [Design: Robert A. Cardello Architects]

Kitchen Banquettes with Built-In Storage

Adding a small banquette to the kitchen is an increasingly popular choice, with homeowners looking for new ways that they can craft one large, convenient ‘social zone’. As a rule, banquettes can hold more people than most other dining space and breakfast nook designs, and built-in storage underneath the banquette gives it an additional dimension as a great place for the entire family to hang out over weekends. From board games to small stools and cushions, pretty much everything can be tucked into the drawer space under the banquette.

Farmhouse and traditional styles rolled into one inside this lovely kitchen [Design: Bluebell Kitchens]

Large banquette in the corner is a space saver in more ways than one [From: Karen Ellentuck]

If you have a design where the seat of the banquette can just be flipped open to access one large storage area, then it is indeed the best option. Small drawers and multiple shelves work best for those seeking more stylish, convenient options where you can store everything ranging from extra cutlery, napkins and cookbooks to fancy china.

Simple booth style banquette makes smart use of space in the kitchen [Design: Peachtree Architects]

Contemporary banquette with storage maximizes the kitchen corner space [Design: Krieger + Associates Architects / Ann Kelly Interiors]

Traditional banquette in the kitchen corner with large, round wooden table [From: Su Casa Designs]

Contemporary kitchen with a cozy custom banquette [From: Louise Lakier Photography]

Classic cottage style banquette design with built-in storage [From: Heydt Designs / Benjamin Dhong Interiors & David Duncan Livingston Photography]

Small Banquettes with Storage Space

Small banquettes can also bring along with them considerable hidden storage space without ever disturbing the aesthetics and functionality of the seating space itself. Handle-less drawer doors for the cabinets make the storage units pretty much invisible, and you do not have to worry about glaring brass or steel handles spoiling the minimal or contemporary style of the tiny breakfast zone. From the kitchen and living room corner to a small and awkward niche in the living area that is filled with ample sunlight, these tiny delights are absolute lifesavers in the small urban apartment.

Small kitchen nook transformed with wallpaper and banquette with built-in storage [Design: Cristin Priest – Simplified Bee]

Small banquette becomes a part of the larger dining room visual [Design: c3d design]

Pillows and drapes add color and freshness to the all white banquette [From: Erica George Dines for Southern Living]

Make use of that awkward corner in the kitchen with a banquette [Design: Brandon Architects]

Beach style corner breakfast zone with banquette that also offers hidden storage space [Design: ZeroEnergy Design]

Dine in Style!

Picking a style for the banquette is easy enough when you have already decided the style of the living area or the kitchen in which it sits. Materials that you choose for crafting the banquette, the fabric used for the seating (or even leather) and the lighting ultimately give it its unique look and distinct style. Custom wooden benches with built-in seating are ideal for banquettes with rustic, farmhouse and even traditional style. More modern alternatives generally utilize the white bench with colorful seating to offer visual balance and lightness.