Bench to table distance

12 years ago

Hello,

We are getting a built-in banquette in our kitchen. I am trying to figure out what size table to get. Do the edges of the table typically overap the end of the seats by a certain amount? I believe the contractor said there will be a 5" back and 18" seat (because most bench cushions are 18" deep). The banquette will be three-sided, and we don't plan to do more than get a "just in case" backless bench to slide under the 4th side (one of the longer sides)--not sticking out except in the rare instances that someone would be sitting there.

Is there any kind of standard distance from the end of the bench seat to the table (or a standard amount of overlap)? I'm trying to balance the ability to get in and out with the concern that the table top not start in a place that is too far from the seat (particularly given that I have two younger kids that will be eating there). I have about 60" (62" from wall, 60" from edge of window sill) from the back wall to where the pantry starts on the side wall. So, I don't want the table to be wide enough to get in the way of that. I *think* a 36" wide table will be ok (60-23=37). It will be even more ok if the table would typically overlap the bench end a little. Thoughts?

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User

12 years ago

The critical distance for me isn't so much the overhang, as 4-6" will work fine in most cases, but the distance from the table edge to back of the seat. I run into this a lot at small restaurants that have smooshed tables together a bit too much to increase capacity. You end up being too close to the table edge, and in my case, that means that the table meets my mid section and "the girls" end up hanging over. That is a recipe for a stained shirt every time, much less very awkward dining if you aren't very friendly with the person seated across from you, since your chest takes up half the room of where your plate should go. The seats themselves need to be at least 20"-24" deep (plus the room for the back slope), and you can have throw pillows to prop up the smaller ones that need back support closer. Do the seats as storage, and the pillows can be stored there when not needed.

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Comments (14)

dseng
12 years ago
Typically a table in a banquette will overhang the edge of the bench seats by 4-5". Fine Homebuilding had a nice article on banquette design and construction back in the fall of 2007 - maybe it will be helpful. We're in the initial stages of building one ourselves.

Here is a link that might be useful: Breakfast Booth Basics - Fine Homebuilding
breezygirl
12 years ago
DH works for a restaurant design and supply company. One of the designers drew this banquette schematic. I've read that a table overhang of 4-5" is common, despite her listing it as 3".

Getting in and out of a three sided booth will be a little troublesome no matter. 24" is the standard bench width for restaurant booths to allow for the proper slope. The slope of the back rest is what makes a booth comfortable....or not.
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Janet - Thanks! This actually is to scale, its a half inch scale, each tic-mark is 3". Unfortunately since I had to photograph it it's warped. It just would not scan in a way you could read. Went I get a chance I'll get some good graph paper and redraw it, its just time consuming, which is something I don't have a lot of lately! I did try dishwasher on the other side, but if someone was wanting to load or unload the dishwasher while I was cooking (I can dream!) it and they would definitely be in the way, plus having the trash bin easily accessible by both the sink and the stove seemed efficient. That is a side by side fridge so that is the freezer door that might collide with the DW, it wouldn't impede the fridge side at all. Debbie - Thanks for the comments! The refrigerator is 34.75" deep (31" without doors). I did account for the circulation space required in the specs, which is two inches behind it. I do realize that support legs would be needed for the island. Originally I had hoped we could get 4 seats around an island but had to give up that dream, now I'll be happy if my two kids can sit there while I work and even with legs there should be room for that. I'm wanting the large overhang to try and keep their homework and art out of the sink. What do you mean by turning the island? Flipped 90 degrees so it runs the long way or flipped 180 so the sink faces the dining area? I have considered the long way a time or two, but I think I always run into the problem of it blocking doors. While flipping it 180 would give me ton of storage and prep room I'd lose my seating, unless I wanted the kids in the kitchen with me, and I like the idea of having them close but out of my work area. I know 36" is tight, in fact when we first moved in and were only considering putting in an island I kept running into it bottle necking in that spot because the fridge is currently there. However, even if an adult were sitting as close to that corner as the legs will allow there should still be 24" behind them and the corner, so even a big man like my husband can get through that, and it would only be a short tight spot, like going through a narrow door because the room opens up then. I realize if I had a big party with lots of people going in and out I might have a problem, but that is not something that is going to happen often (if at all). Also, I might do the lockers themselves on the door side wall and just have a moveable bench or stool at that corner which I could get out of the way if we were entertaining and needed the area open. Honestly I probably should just move the island back 3" and shorten the overhang a bit so there won't be any chance of the freezer/dw doors impeding each other, but I really don't want to. LOL, there probably isn't a ton of difference between a 21" overhang and a 24" though.
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breezygirl
12 years ago
JH Carr is a major restaurant booth manufacturer. I'll link their website with booth styles and dimensions. They changed their website recently so it's visually more modern, but they left off their great drawings with dimensions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Booth maker
Bakergirl
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for all the responses. Wow-- I'm suprised on the seat depth recommendation. I was actually starting to worry that 18" was overkill (after later going back and measuring a few old chairs around the house to see that their seats are 16-17").

A three sided wasn't been my first choice, largely because of the getting in-out factor. But if we had done two sides (facing each other), there would have been little bowling alleys on either side. If we had done a corner booth, which WAS my first choice, It would have landed very awkwardly with respect to a window. Then we went to a restaurant and happened to be seated in a 3-sided booth and it was actually perfect. If only I could find a place to order the restaurant tables, I'd be all set. Sadly, I need ONE, not 10+!

And yes-- all three sides will have storage; the long side will have a flip-up lid, and the shorter sides will have drawers.
R Y
8 years ago
Go to DIT Kitchens. They can custom make a table, as a special order.
R Y
8 years ago
DIY Kitchens, sorry
Buehl
8 years ago
Spam

This is a 4-year old thread - no need to try to sell the OP anything now.
R Y
8 years ago
I'm a customer who read the thread because I have similar needs for my own kitchen. Just trying to give future readers advice, based on my own learnings and shopping experience. What's your deal buelh? Sounds like you need ato get a life
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
We went to our local diner, decided if we were comfortable or not and did a ton of measurements there...
Buehl
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You knocked off someone's thread from the first page who needs help TODAY to reply to someone who no longer needs help. Please read the "New to Kitchens" thread.

Usually when we see a user with one post (or similar posts on multiple threads) pointing to a sales link it's someone trying to drive business to their site.
R Y
8 years ago
You made my Houzz experience such a pleasure. There must be nicer ways of speaking to customers Buehl. You need better customer service skills if this is your job to police the site.
User
8 years ago
No idea books. No other posts but to shill a company. Canned pork smelling to me.
R Y
8 years ago
If there is more recent post on this topic, would appreciate if you do something constructive like direct me to it, rather than put me down for not being an IT pro. I will choose to use Pintinerest in future, to avoid insult.

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