The Built-in Banquette: The New Designer Favorite
Compact, cozy and welcoming, the banquette can transform a space.
According to The New York Times, although not as common in residential settings as sectional sofas, banquettes aren’t a new idea. The fireside inglenook — where built-in banquettes by a fireplace offered a place to warm up on chilly days — was a popular feature in homes more than a century ago, including some designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Ms. Ruddy noted.
Living room inglenooks fell out of favor when better insulation and heating systems came along, but designers are now exploring the joys of installing other kinds of banquettes, in other places. We asked the experts for advice.