apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hi Matty:
I see booths listed on Craiglist a lot, it might be worth a try there. Also, a picnic style table over there might fit more people. When it's just your family you could push the table against the wall with the bench underneath, and pull it out for company.

I mean to say a long table with benches, not exactly a picnic table.

I love the idea of a bench--but would the expense of having something like that custom-made be worth it--for a rental with really exact specifications?
I would get a table with a leaf instead--if your aim is to have people sitting and eating.
If just room for people to hang out, just adding a small bench with a cushioned top would accomplish that goal, and could go on that right hand wall.
good luck, and please post your results!

Can you make one? If you can find a bench (frame, close to your seat height) you can add some foam and bat it and staple gun on some fabric. You could also use smaller pieces so you can get into your cabinets. You can do the same for the seat backs, or just use pillows. If you plan to stay for a year, it would be worth the time... If it means you get to invite all your friends over!

A simple banquette might be more practical. With a U-shape, if someone in the middle needs to go to the bathroom or spills something, everyone has to pile out.

I don't know if this is too weird an idea for you, but here in Montreal lots of people use archi salvage church pews for banquettes. They're usually quite cheap.

P.S. Your space is incredibly chic alread. I love the black-and-white floor.

Ikea sells benches called Norden that are 59.5" long. You could get cushions there to throw on top as well.

Try 2-3 upholstered rectangular cocktail ottomans approx 24x48" to 24X60" from Overstock.com, HomeDecorators.com or eBay Stores arranged in an L or U-Shape - there are several styles available in leather or microfiber, some with storage.

Put rubber pads on the legs so that they won't slide around when people are seated on them - then place them around the room and arrange lots of toss pillows around the backs.

I would seriously consider NOT doing anything built in or getting banquettes. Having lived with them in previous apartments they make the space less flexible and are bulky as all get out.

Second the Norden Benches. Or Gothic Cabinet Craft (also available online) has many unfinished benches. I also saw some more "classic" style farm benches at Ballard Design that were classic (would go well with your chairs) and affordable.

This space with the various doors etc looks like a built in wouldnt work so well.

I got a table which seats between 2 and 8. It has a leaf in the middle and 2 folding sides. With the leaf closed and the sides down it seats 2, open leaf to seat 4, and fold the sides up to get to 6, or 8 comfortably, or a squeeze for 10.

It looks like your space could accomodate something like that nicely...I bought mine on craigslist so i cant provide a link to anything...but poke around, I've seen stuff like it out there. If you really want a bench for when all those people come over, is there somewhere else in your house it could do double duty when you dont have 10 people round? Entryway? end of bed?

Matty,

If you search the This Old House diy files you should be able to find plans and a video tutorial for a dining and storage banquette.

I remember looking at it not too long ago.

It may be a longshot but if you have a used restaurant equipment warehouse nearby you check them out for banquettes, benches, etc.

If you entertain a lot, maybe an investment in a folding table that seats more people would be worth it. I know it's more trouble to break it out and you have to use table cloths, etc. but it's just an idea.

I agree with the ottoman idea - square or rectangular, or a combination thereof. I would also consider an oval Saarinen table - maybe you can have a top made and attached to your current base.

Booths seem efficient, but they're really not. They're bulky, awkward to get in and out of, and the person in the middle is stuck. Anyway, you don't have much room for a built-in, with those narrow doors in the walls.

We used 2 Ikea upper/wall/over the fridge cabinets to create storage and benches we topped the cabinets with plywood and added foam and fabric simply stapled over the foam. we then used heavy duty Velcro to attach the bench tops. The tops were slightly cantilevered over the front to allow leg room. Easy, inexpensive, custom and portable. Add table of your choice, (we actually found a butcher block scrap in the AS-IS area in Ikea and added legs to it!) instant booth with additional storage!

How about the BJURSTA table from IKEA? It comes in a few sizes (with leaves). You can have a small size for everyday and then open it up for parties.

Also take a look at TARGET for some benches...

Thanks for all the helpful advice, guys! Lisa - a banquette is exactly what I had in mind, I just forgot that word existed. I checked out all the websites, stores, and videos everyone suggested, and I took the anti-banquette protests to heart. I think the answer is to build an L-shaped banquette (unless I can find a church pew, good idea Lisa!) rather then a U-shared one, so the middle person can get out easier.

Here's the most helpful DIY links I found:
http://vdov.net/index.php/2007/01/572#more-572
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20030628/ai_n14552400
http://www.ronhazelton.com/howto/breakfast_nook_bench.htm
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hi_kitchens/article/0,,DIY_13925_2649698,00.html

here's an IKEA hack for a booth:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alafleur/sets/74822/

For more ideas.... Patricia Gray (interior designer) blogged about banquette dining earlier this month, and she posted lots of photos - check it out on her website here:

http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2008/02/banquette-dining.html

how about a long bench on the back wall. get another of the same table and a few more chairs. you could fit ten, and with the 2 tables folks could squeeze between to get to the bench

i saw a pretty cool L-shaped diner-style booth bench, with matching table, at the alameda antiques/flea market this weekend. maybe it'll be back next month!!?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/diy/ikea-hack-eugenes-cozy-banquette-078423