How to Design a Banquette

Gather the supplies you will need to create a design sketch of the banquette, including graphing paper, a ruler, a sharp pencil, an eraser, and a tape measure.

Remove all objects, such as furniture, from the area that you'd like to build your banquette.

Measure two walls from corner to end, and note the measurements on the graphing paper. Once the measurements are taken, lay the wall measurements out on the graphing paper using the ruler as a straight edge. Allow one box on the graphing paper to represent three inches, so four boxes will represent a linear foot.

Lay out the measurements of the banquette on the graph paper based on the available space. These measurements will vary depending on the amount of space you have to work with. Design the banquette to fit around the size of dining table you will use with it. For example, if your dining table will extend to 84 inches, the banquette should be long enough to accommodate this dimension. If the dining table is 60 inches wide, the banquette should be designed to accommodate this dimension as well. Also, the average height of a kitchen chair is 18 inches high, and its depth will vary. It is recommended that you measure one of the chairs that will go with the banquette for accurate measurements.

Design other features into the banquette that you desire. If you'd like to use it as an area for extra storage, design the banquette as a box with a hinged seat. If you prefer an open look, design the banquette to feature a seat and supporting legs with open space underneath it. Customize the look and feel to match the design of your home, so this addition will not clash with other features.