Remember, if you need to sell/move the odds of it working in a different house are close to zero! Personally, I don't find banquette seating very comfortable.

Is the seat too deep or is the back too low? It won't be comfortable to sit back and utilize the backrest. Are you going to need pillows too?

Chairs along the back wall would not look cluttered! You are just trying to rationalize buying the banquette!

How many people do you need to seat?

I love banquettes because they're beautiful, they help save space, they can be nice to lounge in for conversation during the meal or to play games. I don't love them for regularly seating adults because so many people are disturbed when others need to get in/out from their seat. Also, in an especially long banquette, people are scooting across the bench for several feet on their bottoms to get seated and items on the table can get knocked over.

If you go with a traditional table and chairs, the problem may not be that chairs along the back appear cluttered, there may not be enough room to access the chairs. If that's the case, I would consider a banquette with two tables that can be separated to create another entry/exit point. They can also be pushed together for games, etc.

@chispa This is our empty nest house and it goes from just the two of us to 8-10 of us quickly. I feel like anytime we go to a restaurant, we ask for a booth vs a table - I don't think our adult kids or grandchildren would mind sliding over. The seat depth on this is 20" so it looks comfortable.

@ JT7abcz yes the access it tight with chairs, even with 36" allowance if someone is already sitting. This allows me to scootch the table more to the left and to the back wall since the seating is stationairy. We haven't purchased a table yet - your idea is interesting!

JT7's photo is "pretty", but look on the left side, by the floor, there is no room for human feet!

I wonder if it is an AI photo, which usually have at least one weird element that does not work in real life.

You will need a pedestal table and pay close attention to the size/measurements.

@chispa there is no foot room there because the tables are pulled apart for accessing the bench behind. When it's moved into place it will have plenty of foot room. Of course, you can't slide that table if someone is sitting there, so letting someone out after all are seated could still be a problem if the right side table can't slide over.

I would be fighting for a chair.

I hate a banquette or booth as an adult. But my grandmother had one in her kitchen that I loved as a kid. So throw your kids and grandkids in this one for some happy memories.

The seat looks absurdly deep and the back quite short. Perhaps it is just the picture at an odd angle? What are the specs? What does it say for seat depth and back height?

It seems like a very large piece of furniture for only getting three extra seats out of it.

@chispa, I started to add a disclaimer about the photo but dinner was calling my name 😊- not only is the table top too far over the seat, the bases are space hogs. I really just wanted to show the gap between each that could be widened or narrowed for another entry/exit point. Tables require meticulous measurements and thought and I appreciate that you noted it.

Just a thought-if you do have to add pillows to the back to make it comfortable, they tend to slide on leather. And sitting at a table to eat is not the same as a 20" sofa or chair seat would be.

A standard dining chair is 16-18" deep. At 20", your guests will have no back support.

The tables are intriguing, I wonder about tables with casters...I would be tempted to get a banquette if the tables were easily moved like this. It would be like having a window seat to lounge on.

It looks uncomfortable.

If you have to buy back pillows for your banquette, you are purchasing the wrong banquette.

Couldn’t you just do the banquette along the windows, or does it only come configured in an L shape?

^ that’s what I was thinking, I’d be tempted to go with a longer table + the banquette along the back walk and 3 chairs on the front side - then leave the ends of the table open (can always add chairs for a crowd) -

the table seems off kilter with the windows with the bulky banquette corner on one side but likely just a me thing

I like the banquette idea but this one, while it looks great in the photo, may not be the right one for the multiple reasons given.

Have you looked at others? West Elm (for example, check lengths) has customizable modular options available in leathers for a straight or curved bench with higher back and less deep seat. Test it out if there is a store nearby.

It's beautiful. They seem to be a solution that garners much debate.

Positives: They increase seating in small spaces by a lot.

They are attractive.

Negatives: Many talk of not finding them comfortable. How comfortable does one need to be for eating or hanging out? They certainly are fine for that--if they weren't restaurants would not have half their seating in booths!!!

Yep the sliding around and being trapped when you are on the inside are issues but fabric choice helps that issue and really how often would anyone get trapped in the middle?

Our first home DH built a trestle table and two benches. Our tiny kitchen went from a table for two to seating 5 easily. They are a stylish space saving solution.

I could see this working well in the space particularly if you need instant, flexible seating, which it seems like you do. Whether this is the right banquette or not is another question. Might want to shop around a bit now that you have the idea. I like it visually because it continues to look cosy even with a couple of people seated there, as opposed to a bunch of empty chairs. I have a garden bench in my kitchen and I love it. If you have grandchildren, you’ll want to carefully consider the upholstery options.

That is a pretty long way to go - scooching over that length of bench. Won't be the easiest for older adults to navigate. Younger children won't have a problem with it.

I sure hope I would never be seated at the back I happen to hate banquette seating or bench seating they barely function in a cafe or the park why would you want this in a home Sorry I would not d that at all you have a nice large space get some fun chairs not as large as what you have and how many people use this space daily ? That is how many chairs you need and IMO you will try this and return it since no one will want ot sit along the window space . IMO rethink this choice now. You do not even like the color why do this?

LOL!! IF you hate it?

Wait until two kids in the middle back, have to get out for the potty.

No way.

It isn't "clutter" for chairs, you just want what you think you want, and would like all to agree and give a thumbs up..

Not me......!

Based on this format, I can’t see 10 fitting, grandchildren may not be very happy with being stuck, disturbing others when wanting out and it doesn’t look very comfortable with the low back.

Option #1 - If not needing seating for 8-10 very often, suggest an extension table and when smaller it will be easier to manoeuvre and get compact chairs.

If interested in the above table:

https://www.arcadiamodernhome.com/products/noeline-extension-dining-table-resawn-worn-oak?variant=45261631848677

Option #2 - Do you have a dining room and when numbers are high can just eat there? Now the banquette can be smaller/comfortable for you both and when having a few people over, it will feel more congenial and cozy. See below as an example.

Option #3 - an extension table with low profile chairs so it won’t feel cluttered/lined up across the back. Once you add a chandelier and a large centrepiece it will feel balanced.

Thank you everyone for your input. I will continue shopping and may consider a long bench with a back for the window wall. This is our only dining space and honestly we barely use it (always eating at the island when it is two of us) because the dining area just isn't inviting. I relate to the comment about have all these empty chairs when it is just the two of us - so maybe to me the bench/banquette doesn't look so barren. I felt the banquette/bench idea allowed more seating flexibility because when everyone is here we go from famine to feast. You've all given me good food for thought though and saved me from a purchase I felt insecure about.

The reason long benches work in restaurants is because a waiter hands plates to diners, refills drinks, etc. If you go with a long bench, also consider your serving style. We serve buffet style off the kitchen island, each person takes their plate to the dining table. IMO, scooting across a looong bench with a plate in hand is inviting a disaster. Reaching between the people seated in chairs to set a plate down isn't ideal but it beats a spill. Serving meals family style may be a workaround. Whatever you decide, please let us know and post photos.

For @

I agree with Jan Moyer that you should use your dining room table for just the two of you. Perk up the room with something on the wall and more complete window treatments. Then set the table for dinner with dim lights or candles. You might be amazed at the interesting conversations you will have when facing each other! This is unsolicited marital advice from a widow with happy memories of our dinners together, so I'm sorry if it offens you..

It is helpful to see your entire space. Thanks for the pics.

Get an upholstered bench that lives on one of the walls under the window, something that looks nice as a stand alone bench in the room, not just as a banquette. Like this.

Purchase a round table with leaves. Have it set regularly with four chairs beneath a circular shaped chandelier. It will be an inviting place for you two to eat together.

When the family comes, add leaves to expand the table to oval. Pull up the bench. Then add a few more chairs around from other places in your home or purchase quality and comfortable stacking chairs that you store in a garage or basement and bring out a few times a year. You can get them made with seat cushions that match your upholstered bench so it feels like they all belong together.

Dang people, how many times during Christmas dinner do you have to get up to take a poo? If Aunt Ida is in charge of the wine, then she wouldn’t sit in between people in the middle of the banquette. And if, god forbid, you do have to scoot over to let someone out, it’s not the most horrible, atrocious thing to ever happen to anyone. Your plate of food will still be there. You’ll survive, Christmas isn’t ruined.

"Dang!" INDEED

What makes "inviting" ? Decoration.!!!

Just because you slam a banquette into a space, doesn't mean you get fabulous.....HARDLY fabulous below! Bleeaaah!!

You downsized, dragged the dining table and chairs and stuck it in there.

You're going to get a thousand do this, do that, buy a bench, get the banquette, don't get the banquette.

Children will sit where you TELL them to sit. We loved the kid table mom set at crowded holidays, "hosted" by my (usually rather drunk) uncle Bob. Tons of giggles and bad behavior there! They'll sit at an island, a card table! They don't CARE and would prefer to be excused long before you have the post dessert decaf.

Good Gawd. You don't have 8/10 people every single night. You can store a leaf or two in a closet. How 'bout one of those adult kids host you?! " Young Adults" often need a wake up call, that 15 years have passed, and mom has made 20,000 dinners. Hosted forty plus Thanksgiving!

Do you still love the dining table? The chairs? No? Ditch them. Get something more casual .

Personally, I like the round table and six upholstered chairs. Some COLOR.

Do you. Don't crowd source.: )

Just make a space you love looking at from your kitchen- one you love when you have other adult couples and there are only six.

You could even PAINT your table to white, lose the granny chair match.

One thing I don't love ? The light. I don't know where the idea began, that every table of rectangle shape, needs a linear light. It's not an island and NOT a billiard table.: )

Just make some pretty.

This is the result of homes being built without a separate dining room. Even if you only use it a couple of times a year, it's better to have a separate room than having to agonize over how to fit everyone for a holiday dinner in a small nook that was meant for casual dining for no more than 4 people. And it doesn't need to be "formal." (Sorry for the run-on sentence!)

More brutal TRUTH?

For eighty percent or more folks.......there exists NO such thing as the "empty nest"

It truly is bullshit.

The four bedroom, three and half bath home is abandoned for the two beds,big primary suite, breakfast nook, lower taxes, less maintenance, all one floor living and la di da .....................

All then promptly followed within five years, by marriages, babies, portable cribs, blow up bathtubs, toys ! baby sitting, and all of the now adult kiddo's and your grands squeezed into a home half the size of the one left behind.

That, ladies and gentleman is the t.r.u.t.h: )

It is a void of reality ........ it's myth, perpetuated endlessly, and in our world, (unlike earlier times) will involve mega travel expenses to whomever is hosting, and whomever has or has not the beds and wash facilities and shall I keep going in a run on sentence of oh holy hell?!

Were you just testing your set to get a sense of a table vs banquette arrangement or were considering using?

Given the proximity to kitchen, your rug and window treatment, a less formal approach (including settings) is suggested. Look for comfy chairs as well and you may be suprised how often you are drawn there.

Ya got that right Jan!! Our home is no mansion and two of us rattle around but many times each year we are THRILLED we have all the 'extra' bedrooms!! And you can pay a lot of people a lot of money to do yard work, clean, laundry--whatever and not get close to what a "downsized" townhome costs!!!!

Amazingly true above!

Or...... get the panties pulled up .

You realize you downsized for a lot of reasons, and you can buy a lot of Hotel Rooms for the usual costs of taxes on a big home in the burbs!! Jeesh!!!!

See you for BREAKFAST!! lol

Jan, I've always thought downsizing was a silly thing for the very reasons you mention.

Gee now you have me questioning all my life choices! It is what it is now - we aren't moving - and I just never addressed this space. Thank you everyone for your inspiration and suggestions!

They probably had it right? Keep the BARN!!

Just tell Grampa , pipe down!

"Gee now you have me questioning all my life choices! It is what it is now - we aren't moving - and I just never addressed this space."

The old saying is " grow where you are planted"

Just make it "yours" and stop worrying on kids who I'll guarantee are not wringing a SINGLE hand on how you host them or their kids.

For this nook? Stop being...Mom. : ) You did your job!

Did your mother in law wring her hands? Bet you she did not.

I could be in the minority but downsizing was a great decision. After 14 years of living here, we have never regretted doing so and it has actually added to a better lifestyle in so many ways. It did take over a year to find the right house that met our criteria and needs. I actually wondered if we would ever find something, but when I walked in the front door knew it was the one and even though my husband was away, I made the offer. How we live day to day, as well as having friends and family is different but in a good way. You’ll work it all out and just take your time living with/deciding. Enjoy your home!

My sister downsized, I'm not. Both were the right decisions for us.

Everyone in our family has downsized for generations. Maybe because we live in a city and it is just a natural progression to buy an apartment eventually? The name of the game has been how to fit a sit down crowd and Grammy and Poppy's or Nanny and Poppy's. Maybe 10 people in a nook isn't a realistic goal and it is time for a card table in the living room or some teens at the island.

I can’t wait to downsize and my kids are still in high school. Honestly I want to make sure wherever we downsize to has a big open space for entertaining and a guest room but I want equity out of our home ASAP and so much travel and adventure in our early retirement. My dream is to have an ocean front cottage too and host family and friends there.

In Toronto where I live, many empty nesters are choosing to stay. Those who downsize often go to smaller towns, which necessitates new doctors, dentists etc. which is no picnic when the specialists seem to be in Toronto. They often having to come back to Toronto for any major procedures like new hips. Driving at night is sometimes not possible after a certain age because of vision changes, so quick trips into and out of the city become more challenging, especially during the winter months.

Downsizing withing Toronto is a challenge because of high real estate prices even for smaller homes, and the addition of both provincial and municipal land transfer taxes is sometimes an unwelcome surprise. Realtor fees are another cost.

Add to this the need to buy all new furniture, draperies etc., and people often seem to want to renovate the new smaller place too. The equity out of the larger home can shrink pretty fast. We're not the only ones on our street who have run the numbers and decided to stay put where we are comfortable. Maybe not for everyone, but we also have neighbours who we've known since before our children were born, and that means something to us too.

Obviously, YMMV and other considerations can come into play.

Partim the options for what to downsize to are weak here in Vancouver too. But t is definitely a consideration. As to the OP when our family comes over here we are happy to be crammed anywhere and to make it work. Family doesn’t care if they are in a booth or not

Yup, Vancouver is about the same if not more challenging.

In our family, the young 'uns have confidently taken up the reins for the holiday parties. There always seems to be room for everyone!

Somewhere in this thread someone suggested a round pedestal table and adding a leaf as needed…. a great idea and that’s what I do. I live alone, my table seats…myself on the garden bench (which is very cozy), or four other people with myself on the garden bench. More than that? I add the leaf. My 1940’s house is only 1400 ft.², the kitchen is eat in, no dining room…

…

The point being, everyone’s situation is unique; for both practicality and aesthetics. As someone else has pointed out, it’s important to think about making your life enjoyable as well. Going beyond the practicalities of getting food in your body! Taking time for enjoyment of shared meals, and creating something inviting in your life. You mentioned in your original statement that you were “obsessed with the banquette.” I would look into that a little bit more.