Today’s the day for the built-in banquette tutorial. I’ve been putting off writing this, because these types of posts end up being a monster to write. But, I can’t put it off any longer. =) Also, I just announced last night on Instagram that we put the Highland Cow in a shop on Society6. You can now buy prints and pillow covers. We are pretty excited. Anyways, let’s get back to the DIY banquette with back (which we are using the wall as the back support).
*Visit our shop on Society6 to purchase the Highland Cow art.
This was a simple build and really could be accomplished over the course of two weekends. We drug it on (like usual) but if you really go on it.. then you could definitely have it completed over the course of the two weekends.
As far as price goes, I kept some receipts but not all of them. Oops. We actually used some scrap wood for parts of the frame, which you will see in just a bit. So, if you had a bit of scrap wood sitting around… then I think this build would come in around $120 or so. The padding, foam and fabric came to around $100. So, in total, this project came in right around $220.
In all projects like this, you have to consider how big of a space you are working in. Our DIY banquette ended up spanning the whole open space on our wall, which was just over 10 feet. If you had a smaller area, then of course, you’re price would go drastically down. Just something to keep in mind.
Ready to get started?
*Affiliate links listed below. Click here to read my full disclosure.
*Also, you can save wood by building your bench to the wall and getting rid of the back supports. We plan on replacing the flooring so we wanted our built-in to be moveable. But, you could definitely save money and time by attaching the back to the wall. =)
Step By Step Instructions for Banquette Seating
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
NOTE: These measurements are what worked for our kitchen. Sizes will vary.
(4) 12ft 2×4’s
(2) 8ft 2×4’s
(2) Sanded/Finished Plywood pieces cut to 62″ x 24.5″
2″ Wood Screws
Hitachi C10FCE2 15-Amp 10-inch Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
Circular Saw
Tape Measure
Clamps
Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System
3/4″ Particle Board 24″ x 133.5″
Air Compressor and Nail Gun (We have this set from Home Depot and it’s been great)
Wood Glue
Primer and Paint
Fabric
Foam (Best price ever on foam!)
Stapler
Batting (really cheap!)
Step 2: Cut 2×4 FRAME
Measure your wall. If you do not have a bump out or any irregularities, then cut (4) 2×4’s to 1 inch shorter than your wall length. *We have a bump out so our back pieces (2) were cut to 123 (1 inch shorter than our wall of 124 inches) and our front 2 pieces were cut to 133.5 inches (about one foot shorter than the front span of the area).
Step 3: Cut Upright and Bottom Supports
First things first, decide what height you want your bench to be and make sure to account for wood and foam. If you have a table and chairs and like the chair height (our chairs were 18.5 inches) then take the chair height and use that height to start with.
Our measurements were: 2×4 (actually 3.5 inches) + 9.5 inches (2×4 supports) + 2×4 (3.5 inches) + 3/4 inch particle board + Batting + 3 inch foam.
Our bench height ended up being 20.5 inches.
We cut 12 (six for the front and six for the back) 2×4 supports at 9.5 inches. We cut 6 floor supports at 20.5 inches.
Step 4: Attach Supports
Attach your floor supports first. You can drill in from the long 2×4’s on each side to make this easy. We eye-balled the spacing.
On each of your upright supports, use the Kreg jig to make holes to attach the screws on the support to the bottom 2×4. It’s also good to use wood glue on these because the slanted screws (from the Kreg jig are not as strong as vertical screws would be). See below.
On the 2×4’s that span the wall, mark where your upright 2×4’s hit and use the Kreg jig and wood glue again to attach the 2×4’s together.
Once you’ve attached the bottom 2×4 to the upright supports and then the top 2×4, this step is completed.
Step 5: Cut Top Supports and Attach
Cut 6 more 2×4 supports at 20.5 inches. Attach with Kreg jig and wood glue. Screw into the supports from the outside on both sides. Again, we eye-balled the placement but it was very similar to the flooring supports.
Step 6: Measure the Top and Have It Cut
Most hardware stores will cut wood for you. We measured for the top (it was 24 inches by 167) and had the particle board piece cut in-store. Attach by drilling wood screws down into the frame.
Step 7: Troubleshoot Bump-out and Attach All Pieces
Once the top piece was on, we still had to troubleshoot the bump out piece. Luke made a cardboard template of the space and then used a jig saw to cut it out of the particle board.
We placed a few screws in the particle board to attach it firmly to the 2×4 frame.
Step 8: Upholster
We placed the foam down first and then used the cardboard template from step 7 to get the foam piece for the bump-out.
Lay the batting over the foam and staple.
Trim up any excess batting.
Lay the fabric over the batting and staple (making sure to pull tightly as you go along).
Step 9: Finish Front and Side
Using 1/4 inch plywood, cut it to size for the front and side panel. Prime and paint. Attach to the front and sides with a nail gun.
Fill any nail holes with nail filler, let dry, sand and paint.
We choose to stop here but from here you could trim out the piece to make it more substantial.
I really love how the DIY banquette turned out and it’s so functional. If I could change one thing, it might have been to go with a little better quality front/sides. When the sun is in full-force in our kitchen, you can see variations in the paint. But, really that’s being super picky. Otherwise, I really adore it.
What’s your take? Would you do a bench seat in your kitchen?
Pin for Later: DIY Kitchen Banquette
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Corinna - A Designer At Home says
December 19, 2015 at 1:06 pmYou make all the hard things look easy! I am just so impressed as I always am with your projects.
Ashley Mayes says
December 26, 2015 at 7:52 amNot always easy or perfect, but they usually come together.
Velma says
June 2, 2016 at 4:04 pmLove,love this project.While reading I thought about some left over kitchen cabinets my friend has,framing them out like you did, add a shelf or three,leave the doors on add cushions yea… more storage and still a wonderful seat like you made. What do you think?
Ashley Mayes says
June 3, 2016 at 7:20 amYes, I think it would definitely work. You should measure how tall it will be with the cushion to make sure it’s going to be an appropriate height for the table but that’s all I’d do to get started. Have fun!
Charlotte says
January 5, 2016 at 7:40 amAshley, it is lovely and I always appreciate your work. If the wood front bothers you a little, you might consider planking the front like your wall. Rather than adding planking, paint the front white and draw lines across it to give the look of planking.. Then seal it. There is a site on pinterest of a wall done in this fashion and it is stunning! It looks like the real deal.
meags says
February 8, 2016 at 8:30 pmI found my way here via Poppytalk and have to know where you got the highland steer picture! The banquette is great but that art….wow!
Ashley Mayes says
February 9, 2016 at 8:49 amThanks for stopping by! I just sent you an email with more details but here’s the link to our store (where you can buy the art): https://society6.com/biggerthanthethreeofus
Amanda Katherine says
February 11, 2016 at 8:45 pmI was just thinking this week that I want to build a banquette for a living room window seat area! Will be referring to your tutorial soon 🙂
amandakatherine.com
Ashley Mayes says
February 12, 2016 at 9:20 amWe love ours for sure! Thanks for stopping by.
Jen @ The Striped House says
February 15, 2016 at 7:27 pmThis is so great! You must be so excited to walk into this room every day 😉 Cheers and happy blogging!
Ashley Mayes says
February 16, 2016 at 1:26 pmThanks so much! We really love it.
Carrie says
March 4, 2016 at 9:47 amDiscovered your blog from Remodelaholic… love this whole space!!…Have a great weekend! Carrie, Thirty Eighth Street
Ashley Mayes says
March 6, 2016 at 6:50 amHi Carrie! Glad you found me. I actually found your blog a few weeks’ ago. You had linked up to The Creative Gallery Link-up and I cohost that. So, it’s fun to make a new friend.
Kati says
March 5, 2016 at 12:27 pmWow! Your dining room looks amazing. I made a bench like this and I love it. Pinned!
Ashley Mayes says
March 6, 2016 at 6:51 amThanks Kati! It was definitely a labor of love but we love it.
Christine says
April 11, 2016 at 12:28 pmI LOVE your cowhide! Where is that from? The entire room looks great! Thanks!
Ashley Mayes says
April 12, 2016 at 7:02 amThanks Christine! I got it from overstock. Find the direct link here: https://biggerthanthethreeofus.com/shop/
MomaWalker says
June 1, 2016 at 8:11 amYour built in is absolutely gorgeous. I wouldn’t change anything about it. Not the color on the front or anywhere else. I wish our house was big enough for a built in, in front of a window. That’s a dream of mine but our house is really small. Don’t get me wrong we’re very thankful for our house but it’s just 850 sq.ft. with one bedroom. Although our kitchen is big theres not enough room for a built in. But one day…..
Ashley Mayes says
June 2, 2016 at 8:19 amI like the one day perspective. That’s how I feel about lots in life. One day ….
Lana says
June 1, 2016 at 9:55 amIt looks great, I LOVE what you did to wall too….but I would change just one thing. I would make storage bench. It’s just a shame to waste that space.
Ashley Mayes says
June 2, 2016 at 8:20 amThanks Lana! We talked about making it a fold-up bench but we don’t need the storage. Directly across from this room is a 14 ft china cabinet with the exact dimensions of storage underneath. But, I do think that for most people the storage would be key.
Vineta @ The Handyman's Daughter says
June 20, 2016 at 12:32 pmI’ve been debating doing something similar in our dining room. I live in fear of my son leaning his chair back and going right through the window that is mere inches from his chair. A built in banquette would be so much safer, and wouldn’t block the window to boot! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Ashley Mayes says
June 21, 2016 at 8:23 pmYou should go for them! I really love them.
Jennifer says
April 3, 2017 at 3:48 pmHi! I love your plans for this bench. I am actually in the process of following them as we speak 🙂 I am trying to screw my floor supports into the 2x4s and I am having trouble. The wood screws will only go part of the way and then the drill stops. Do you know why that is? Am I doing something wrong? Please help! lol
Ashley Mayes says
April 3, 2017 at 4:32 pmHi Jennifer,
You might be having trouble when the screw is hitting the second 2×4. Sometimes, those can be a bit tricky. Did you try to get a pilot hole first? I tend to do best with that. Other than that, I’m not sure! This seems silly to mention, but if you are using a battery drill…make sure the battery is fully charged. I know, I fight the drill a lot when it’s battery is low.
marilyn Dennis says
October 3, 2017 at 8:18 pmLove this. Building a wall to wall bench seat right now. I was thinking about making the seat out of a vintage rug like you did for a bench but for the whole 10′ banquetee. What do you think should I or would it be too rough and not for seating use? the look could be super cool. New follower here:)
Ashley Mayes says
October 4, 2017 at 6:53 amI think that would be amazing! I don’t think the rug would be too scratchy but all rugs are a bit different. My only hesitation would be if you planned on using the space as a lounge space. I think then, the rug texture might be annoying but for seating purposes only…. I could definitely see it! If you do it, email me or IG DM me a picture! I’d love to see!