Banquettes - what are they and where are they used?

What is a banquette

We are sure many of you have heard the word “banquette”. Do you know what it is? The word banquette came to Russia from France and, translated from French, means “bench”. The item itself, called a banquette, began to be used in Russia in the 18th century. Initially, it was a small bench that was installed in the boudoir of rich ladies.

Today, a banquette can be found in almost any room, and modern models do not differ much from their predecessors - only the materials used for their production have changed, as well as their design style and colors.

Banquette in Baroque style

This style involves deliberately rich materials and finishes. Therefore, the banquette must stand on high carved legs. Such banquettes are upholstered with silk, jacquard, embroidered or embossed fabric.

Gilding, rich brown, green and burgundy colors look good on a bedside banquette for a Baroque style bedroom.

What is a banquette and its purpose?

Initially, the banquette looked like an ordinary bench with legs, but without a back or armrests, with a solid and comfortable seat. Modern banquettes are very diverse. It can be:

Mini flower beds have not only a seat, but also stands for placing flower arrangements.
Benches with an unusual back, made in Baroque or Art Nouveau style;
Banquettes, with a plastic or glass frame;
Models equipped with a small table for telephone or press;
Products with a shoe box;
Benches with shelves on which you can put shoes;
Banquettes with a mirror, a small rack or a clothes hanger;
Models created using forging.

Such a wide variety of banquettes manufactured today makes it possible to find a suitable model for almost any room. Banquettes can be found in offices, large stores, apartments and private homes.

Located in the bedroom, it is useful if you need to clean yourself up by sitting in front of the mirror, or fold your things while undressing. Installed in the hallway - it will help you put on or take off your shoes. Being in the living room, it will become a comfortable place where a guest or the owner of the house can sit.

In private country houses, banquettes are installed on open terraces or in the garden - you can comfortably sit on them with a book or a cup of coffee.

Model with drawer

A banquette for a bedroom with a storage box does not look like a bench, but like a cabinet with a soft seat on top. You can store bedding, pajamas, and towels in the drawers. This allows you to save space in closets and chests of drawers. That is why a banquette with a drawer is often placed in a small bedroom. The opening system for such models may be different. The drawers can be pulled out like in a chest of drawers, or the seat of a banquette can be reclined and there is a spacious drawer underneath.

Main types of banquettes

Today, a banquette is no longer a luxury item, but a practical, comfortable type of furniture. The following types are distinguished:

Boudoir. Outwardly they do not differ from their predecessors, popular in the 18th century. They are quite often included in modern bedroom sets. As a rule, they place it near the mirror or not far from the bed, since it is convenient to put things on it when preparing for bed.
Banquette benches. They have a wide seat, no backrest and armrest. Such models are often found in shoe stores or clothing boutiques. The attractiveness of their use of this model is that sitting on it is convenient to try on shoes and there is additional space where you can put a bag, umbrella or gloves.
Kitchen. They are a universal piece of furniture that can be used for sitting and storing dishes, food and other kitchen necessities. To do this, you just need to make a drawer in its lower part or purchase a model in which it is already installed. If you purchase a corner banquette, you can use it to beautifully decorate an empty corner in the kitchen. In addition, having purchased small-sized models, you can always slide them under the table, and they will look much more interesting than simple chairs or stools.
Guest banquettes. They were popular during the times of the nobility. They were placed in halls intended for dancing so that guests could sit down and rest. Today, for the same purpose, they are installed in offices, theaters and museums.
Banquettes in the hallway. They are a stylish and original piece of furniture that can harmoniously fit into any interior. This could be a small banquette equipped with a shoe box that can easily fit in a small hallway or a larger option combined with a phone stand, a small coffee table or a clothes hanger.

Banquette design

Initially, the banquette was a bench with high legs and a wide seat. There was no backrest for the bench; the seat could be soft or hard. Modern banquettes come not only in traditional shapes, but also with a back, with a storage system, or in the form of an ottoman. Sometimes designs can be mixed.

A banquette-sofa with a back can be supplemented with a shelf for slippers under the seat or a drawer, and inside a soft ottoman there can be a large drawer for storing things or bedding. Let's talk about each type in more detail.

Basic materials for making banquettes

To make the bench frame the following can be used:

Tree;
Plywood;
Metal materials;
Beam;
Fiberboard;
MDF;
Plastic.

When upholstering the manufactured frame, they use flock, cotton, tapestry, velvet or velor, pre-impregnating them with a special composition.

For forged banquettes, leather is usually used as upholstery. The filler is latex or gas-filled plastics.

Today on the modern furniture market there is a huge assortment of banquettes, different in design and purpose, which means that finding a model that suits your desires will not be difficult.

Upholstery material

The most popular fabrics in use include:

Natural. It can be flock, cotton, or velor. It is preferable that the fabric has maximum density, is wear-resistant and easy to care for.

Fabric upholstery not only gives the modern banquette model a unique stylistic design, but also makes it possible to purchase a custom-made product.

Leather. Refers to a practical, expensive and visually attractive option for seat upholstery. This material differs in shade and structure, in harmony with valuable wood species of the frame, or original forged legs, creating a fashionable design for unusual interior corridor spaces.

Synthetic leather. Refers to an inexpensive cladding option. Such banquettes look fashionable, are easy to clean, but have a short service life. It is advisable to install structures covered with leatherette in rooms with minimal traffic.

Variety of designs

Modern manufacturers produce banquettes from various materials, different shapes and sizes. Such accessories are made of wood or metal, rattan or plastic, MDF or chipboard.

The upholstery can be natural and artificial leather, tapestry fabric, boucle, velor or high-strength synthetic textiles, and the role of the filler can be given to foam rubber, padding polyurethane, polyurethane, holofiber.

The forged banquette is especially popular. This product looks very elegant and stylish. It will fit perfectly into most styles.

A banquette with a shelf for shoes is also in demand among consumers. It allows you to store shoes, shoes and boots in one place, neatly and compactly. In this case, nothing will interfere with the ventilation of the shoes.

Another stylish model is a knegt, commonly known as a banquette with a drawer. Its advantages lie in versatility, functionality and ease of use. It is indispensable in a small hallway.

Inside you can place not only all your shoes, but also shoe care products, shoehorns, etc. There is also room in it for hats, mittens, and gloves.

When choosing a banquette with a seat for the hallway, you need to take into account a number of requirements. Such furniture should:

stylistically match the overall design of the room;
harmonize with other furnishings;
be functional and compact.

Banquette size and shape

Having seen a photo of a banquette in a bedroom in a magazine, many apartment owners head to a furniture showroom to make a purchase. However, before you buy a bench for your bedroom, you need to decide on its size. It all depends on where you are going to put it. If it is a classic model without a backrest, then its height and width should correspond to the size of the bed; if the banquette will stand near a window or wall, you need to take into account the width of this space.

The height of the bench should correspond to your height. It will be uncomfortable to sit on furniture that is too low or high.

Consider how many people live in the bedroom. For a family bedroom where children also look in, it is better to choose a banquette with seating for two people. For a bedroom in which one person will rest, more compact furniture is suitable.

For a children's bedroom, choose furniture with a storage system, where you can hide toys at night. Banquettes for children's rooms are presented in classic designs or complemented with images of favorite cartoon characters.

Pouf or bench - which is better?

Many people confuse small square-shaped banquettes with poufs. These are two different types of furniture. A pouf is a soft stool upholstered in textiles.

The design of the banquette is much more elegant - it has a more sophisticated design. What to buy for the hallway depends on its size and your wishes.

If you are looking for something multifunctional, then the choice should undoubtedly be made in favor of a banquette.

Blind surface of the bench

This model has a number of disadvantages. The main one is that shoes will not dry completely when dried on shelves. You also need to constantly carry out wet cleaning.

Therefore, such furniture is often additionally coated with a special coating, which allows it to repel water and prevents the rapid destruction of the entire structure as a whole. But visually such a banquette looks much more profitable and pleasant.

Recommendations

If you choose the right design for the banquette, it will become the highlight of the hallway interior. The following tips will help you make the right choice:

First of all, decide what you need the banquette for. This will determine what equipment you require.
Before going to the store, take the necessary measurements of the room. When choosing a model with doors, consider their size when opening.
Select furniture according to the size of the hallway. It should not overload the interior.
The ranking of the best manufacturers is headed by Italian brands. Belarusian brands have good quality.
Choose the model that is in harmony with the rest of the decor in color, design, texture.
Make a choice in favor of products made from natural materials. They are environmentally friendly.

Banquette in the interior - what it is and application

Banquette in the interior - what it is and application
The hallway is the very first room in the house. Guests constantly enter through it; you can see it when you open the door. This is a kind of business card, and an elegant, beautiful and comfortable banquette will help make the first impression.

It helps to decorate the room and give it a complete, harmonious look. What is it, as well as what types of products are there and how to choose it correctly?

You will find answers to questions regarding banquettes in the interior below.

General information

What it is

The banquette is a compact seating area that is perfect for the hallway of a room, and it can also be easily moved to another convenient place. It is also used to decorate bedrooms, living rooms, children's rooms and kitchens.

A banquette in the hallway is needed for:

Facilitate the process of taking off and putting on shoes.
Comfortable seating without the need to take off your outerwear.
Provide comfortable seating.
Aesthetics.

Regardless of whether your hallway is small or large, you can always find an interior detail that fits the size. They can come in different shapes, styles and sizes. High, low, with or without a back, with shelves or drawers for shoes - there are many options, and you can see them in the photo.

History of appearance

Such seating areas were first noticed during the French Middle Ages.
Around the 18th century, ladies of noble birth used furniture such as a comfortable seat near the dressing table. At the same time, they began to be used to comfortably wait for an appointment with people who were government officials. The very first models of such furniture resembled a bench without a back with soft fabric upholstery. Later they began to appear in the halls where they held balls. The first models looked like benches without a back. Options with a backrest began to appear a little later, and they had upholstered seats covered in fabric.

DIY bench

If there is no soft bench on sale that would fit perfectly into the existing interior of the room, then you can make this piece of furniture with your own hands. To make it we will need the following materials and tools:

screw-in legs from an old chair;
stain;
foam;
plywood;
hot gun;
leather for upholstery;
buttons;
stapler with staples;
scissors;
saw;
drill.

The banquette for the hallway will be made in the following sequence:

Preparing the legs. We clean each leg with sandpaper and cover it with stain.
We cut foam rubber and plywood. Choose the dimensions of the future banquette at your discretion, based on the fact that each person should have at least 50 cm of future seating. We lay the cut sheet of plywood on the foam rubber and cut it, leaving allowances of 2-3 cm on all sides.
Using a hot gun, glue the foam rubber to the plywood along the entire perimeter.
We mark on the plywood the places where the buttons will be located.
Using a drill, we drill holes at these points, making sure not to damage the foam.
We cut the upholstery to the size of the seat, leaving an allowance of 2-3 cm.
We sew all its parts together. We sew a special border along the edges over the seams.
We attach the edges of the trim from the bottom of the seat to the plywood using staples.
We sew on the buttons by first inserting the needle into the button and then threading the thread through the hole drilled in the plywood.
If desired, you can cover the back of the seat with fabric, although this step can be skipped to reduce the cost of the product.
We screw the legs to the seat, our banquette is ready.

Details

Upholstery

Fabric is used for upholstery, and any textile that is used for a banquette is impregnated with special compounds. The most commonly used materials are cotton, velor, velvet, chenille and others. If there is no money for genuine leather, then you can use a leather substitute, which has a lower cost. It is used in budget, inexpensive options, which are usually made from chipboard. Leatherette is characterized by ease of maintenance, cleaning, and a short service life.

But the most expensive wooden or forged models are sheathed with genuine leather. They are characterized by easy maintenance, durability, beautiful appearance, wear resistance and practicality. There is also a large selection of textures and colors. Latex can be used as a filler (for premium furniture). It has a long service life, is safe and resistant to deformation. For budget options, gas-filled plastics are used, or no upholstery is used at all.

Sizes and shapes

The size of the banquettes can be single, double, triple and even four-seater. One place is approximately 0.6 meters per person. Banquettes for 1 and 2 seats are perfect for a dacha and at home, and for waiting rooms, schools, clinics, reception rooms, courts, kindergartens, banquettes for 3 and 4 seats are ideal. They are round, rectangular, triangular and square in shape.

Varieties

There are many types that differ in shape, configuration, size, material, methods of creation and purpose. A hallway bench with a shelf for shoes is a bench with 1 to 3 shelves at the bottom.

This option is suitable for small rooms and helps save space. The seat in such models can be simple, or it can be filled with filling and covered with fabric/leather for comfort and softness. Models of banquettes with folding shelves and seats, doors, and bedside tables are available. Material: MDF, wood, steel, metal, iron, etc.

Option with bench and backrest. These benches are comfortable due to the presence of back support. They create a pleasant and warm atmosphere that gives the room a homely and cozy look. There are banquettes with a back and a drawer, a bedside table, shelves and even a table.

Most often, the back and seat are upholstered for softness. With drawers - if you are a connoisseur of comfort, beautiful appearance and versatility, then this is your choice. Boxes are used to store shoes, documents, accessories, first aid kits and other things. Such furniture helps to significantly save space, and the main materials used are chipboard and wood.

There are pouffe cabinets, and depending on the need, they can play the role of both cabinets and banquettes. They are usually equipped with several drawers, but can also be used as a stand for a telephone, vase, or intercom.

Bedroom location

A banquette in the interior is usually used in the bedroom or hallway, as mentioned earlier. In the bedroom it is located in front of the bed or used as a bedside table. It can be placed near the dressing table instead of an ottoman, and its location near the mirror is also considered advantageous.

Banquette functions

In addition to interior decoration, modern banquettes also carry a functional load:

A bench with a backrest and one or two armrests serves as a place to relax. Here you can read a book, do some handicrafts, or even drink your morning coffee. If desired, you can even lie down on large banquettes so as not to wrinkle the made bed.
A pouf bench serves as an alternative to ordinary chairs for sitting. Chairs do not always fit organically into the bedroom interior, when soft poufs selected according to style will perfectly complement the furniture ensemble.
Banquettes with drawers allow you to save space in the room and hide items you don’t need every day from view.

Before going to bed, clothes and a blanket from the bed are folded on top of each model.

Important points before purchasing

First, you should pay attention to the accuracy of the firmware and quality. In no case should there be any protruding threads; the seams should be in the same style around the entire perimeter. Pay attention to the thickness and quality of the threads themselves. On thin material, thin threads should be used, and on coarse and thick fabric, dense threads should be used. It is also worth deciding how often you will put things on the seat or sit down, and whether you will store things in the bench. If you plan to use the seat frequently, then you should choose upholstery made of leather, its various substitutes or eco-leather. If it is more like a decorative element, then chenille, velvet, velor and other similar materials will be more suitable.

The type of product should be selected depending on the room for which it is required. A model with a shelf for shoes, a pouf, a forged banquette, or a piece with a hanger or mirror would be perfect for the hallway. For a dacha, a forged product would be an ideal option. If you are looking for pieces of furniture for the bedroom, then you should look at wooden items with or without a back. When choosing, you should focus on the number of family members, and if the family is small, then a single-seat model will be appropriate. If there are a lot of household members, it is worth considering double and triple banquettes.

Also, if you have small children, then you should choose furniture made of leather or its substitute, which are easy to clean. The shape should be chosen based on the shape of the room. If you have a square hallway, then the banquette should be the same, and if it is rectangular, then you should pay attention to oblong products.

Banquette design

It is very important that the banquette fits harmoniously into the interior design of any room. You can choose a classic model or an ultra-modern one, made in subdued colors or bright, which will be a color accent in the room. The main thing is that the designer banquette does not stand out from the overall design, but only emphasizes its style.

Classic bench

A comfortable bench with a soft seat and armrests (or without them) will be an excellent addition that will emphasize the solemn and luxurious atmosphere of the room. Classic-style banquettes for the hallway or bedroom, dining room or living room are distinguished by smooth lines, graceful legs and rich decor. Upholstery made of leather, velvet, velor can be designed in both calm light shades and noble dark tones.

Loft bench

Nowadays, the loft style, which is characterized by simplicity combined with sophistication, is becoming increasingly popular. This bench for the hallway is elegant, but without unnecessary curves and details. The finishing of loft benches is dominated by natural and artificial leather in monochrome shades. A simple rectangular sofa will be ideal for a loft-style kitchen, and in the living room a hard model can be used as a coffee table or coffee table.

Banquette minimalism

The modern minimalist style is characterized by thoughtful functionality, simplicity of design and a complete absence of luxury. A banquette with a seat in the hallway, living room or kitchen will be an excellent addition to the interior in a minimalist style. For a small room, the best option would be a compact model of a banquette with harmonious proportions, which will save space and decorate the room.

Art Deco banquette

A soft chair in a glamorous art deco style will be chosen by true aesthetes and lovers of modern works of art. Products made from expensive wood are designed to emphasize the luxury of the furnishings, designed in this highly artistic style. Beautiful and practical forged banquettes look massive, but are light, elegant and durable. They will harmonize perfectly with mirrors in the same frame, bookcases or wall shelves.

Banquette Provence

This sofa will be a great addition to a bedroom decorated in French Provence style. The upholstery of a soft bench can match the color of the bedspread on the bed or the curtains on the windows. Another original option could be a banquette with a soft seat for the hallway in this style. Its frame is made of openwork forged metal. Such a piece of furniture will emphasize the simplicity and, at the same time, airiness of the interior.

Banquette in Scandinavian style

The discreetly elegant and simple Scandinavian style allows you to use a variety of furniture elements in the interior, including banquettes. They often have light upholstery, and their frames are painted white or made of light wood. A banquette for a hallway, bedroom or living room should have legs, which will emphasize the airiness of the style.

What is a banquette?

This is an upholstered or framed piece of furniture that does not have a back. They are designed for sitting. Using banquettes is very comfortable and convenient. They differ in width, so one banquet can accommodate 2 or more people. The frame and upholstery can be made of different materials. Various fillers are used for soft banquettes.

When choosing a banquette, you need to consider what room you want to put it in and what it will be used for. You need to choose an option that fits well into the environment. Let's consider how to use a banquette in different rooms, features of choice, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Types of banquettes

Today, a huge variety of furniture for hallways has been invented. Benquettes are no exception. They may consist of: Metal frame. Have a wooden base. Today's market offers a huge amount of hallway furniture.

And making a choice can be quite difficult. To do this, it is better to initially find out as much information as possible about the types of banquettes. You can learn a lot of information from fashion magazines about interiors.

You can also look at photos of banquettes, which are presented in large numbers on many sites. Only after studying the entire market can you make the right choice. There are banquettes that have a mesh appearance. This frame allows for increased ventilation.

The grid is an independent design element. Therefore, such furniture elements can most often be found in such a modern style as minimalism. Compared to wood, metal mesh is much stronger and more reliable.

Corridor and hallway

Depending on the room in which you will use this interior element, you need to choose a banquette with certain features.

Very often this piece of furniture is used in the hallway. After all, the bench is very compact and practical. You can sit on it to conveniently fasten your shoes or change into house shoes after a hard day at work. For the hallway, the most common choice is a banquette that can accommodate 2 people. It will not take up much space, and sitting on it will be very comfortable.

It is important to pay attention to the upholstery. In the hallway it should be as practical as possible. Therefore, it is better to give preference to upholstery made of leather or its substitute. As a rule, such options look good in the interior, are quite durable, and easy to care for.

How to choose a banquette

When you decide to buy a banquette for your bedroom in an online store or a regular furniture store, follow these rules:

Take the necessary measurements before purchasing.
Consider in which direction the drawers will slide out or the lid of the banquette will recline, if they are provided.
Choose a bench made from high quality natural or artificial materials. This piece of furniture will be used frequently and can wear out quickly if it is made with poor quality raw materials.
Italian banquettes are considered to be of the highest quality. If your budget is limited, choose trusted Russian and Belarusian furniture manufacturers.
If you have pets or small children in your home, check the safety of your furniture. There should be no sharp corners on it, lids and drawers should not slam shut automatically.
The banquet should be from the same collection as the main bedroom furniture or ideally combined with it.

Considering these simple rules, you can easily choose a beautiful and high-quality banquette for your bedroom.

A banquette can be a real highlight of your bedroom. Although designers quite often offer a banquette in addition to standard furniture, it can not be found in Russian bedrooms so often. Buy a banquette for your room, and you will not only stand out from the crowd, but also get a comfortable and functional item.

Bedroom

In the bedroom this element is used more for decorative purposes.

A banquette is placed near the bed so that you can rest your feet on it or put decorative pillows and a blanket at night.
When choosing, you need to take into account the overall decor in the room, as well as the design features of the bed.
The banquette can be placed near the dressing table or next to the coffee table.

Living room

In the living room, this piece of furniture is also beginning to be used more and more often. This is a great option to comfortably accommodate all your guests who do not fit on the sofa and armchairs. For the living room, give preference to a larger model. It should have a soft base. If space allows you and many guests gather in your home, choose a banquette with 3 or more seats.

In the living room it can also serve as a footrest. In this case, it is better to choose low models. Such a bench will provide a comfortable rest in front of the TV in the evenings.

Metal bench

In high-tech or loft-style bedrooms, banquettes made of metal profiles look good. Since the style involves minimalism, it is better to avoid excesses in the design of the banquette.

Such furniture is not suitable for storing things, but it can become a comfortable resting place if there is a soft seat. For metal models, models of banquettes without a back are more often used.