There’s a quiet resurgence happening in dining corners, kitchen nooks and living spaces everywhere. The banquette, once seen as a relic of mid-century cafés and retro diners, is making its way back into the heart of contemporary homes. Only this time, it’s less novelty and more nuance.

Today’s built-in seating is crafted, tailored and beautifully considered. It’s where architecture and furniture meet, where form is softened by fabric, and where comfort becomes part of the room’s structure. The modern banquette isn’t about squeezing in extra seats, it’s about creating intimacy, rhythm and a sense of belonging within open spaces.

Why we’re drawn back to the built-in

In an age of open-plan living, there’s something deeply appealing about a defined, cocooned moment. A banquette anchors a space. It offers permanence in a world of moveable furniture. It invites slow mornings, long lunches and quiet corners with coffee in hand.

Design-wise, it also solves so many functional challenges. Corners become purposeful. Circulation improves. Lines stay clean. It’s a designer’s dream for balancing warmth and efficiency, softness and structure.

How the banquette evolved

Gone are the glossy, vinyl-clad benches of the past. The new generation of banquettes celebrates craftsmanship, comfort and individuality. We love when the mix feels effortless, the perfect pairing of fabric, table and chair, with lighting that anchors the setting and draws the eye in. Colour and pattern have become bolder, often introducing energy and personality to an otherwise restrained palette. Gentle curves and beautiful materials work together to create a space that feels personal and quietly refined.

The shift reflects how people want to live now, informally but with intention. There is an appreciation for craftsmanship and permanence, for design that feels made for the space, not simply placed in it.

Designed seating with character and calm

A banquette can be quietly minimal or joyfully expressive. Its success lies in balance. How materials, curves and scale work together to create ease and connection. Upholstered in beautiful fabric or natural leather, or crafted entirely from timber, each brings its own mood and sense of permanence. We love when it becomes part of the architecture itself, following a curve or framing a view, adding warmth and intention to the space.

Our take

For us, a banquette is never just a seat. It’s an atmosphere. A way to frame light, define a space and invite people in, with a laid back nature. We see it as the intersection of craftsmanship and ease, the kind of design that makes a home feel intentional but lived in.

The return of the banquette isn’t nostalgia. It’s embracing design that slows things down, encourages connection and adds soul to the everyday.

Looking to simplify your space, or create an intentional room? Get in touch. We can help you strip things back without losing style.