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banquette table size question

thepaintedlady_gw

12 years ago

Is there some kind of formula for figuring out how large of a table you can put with a particular size of a banquette?

Featured Answer

lisa_a

12 years ago

A rectangular pedestal table may be hard to find but you should have better luck finding a trestle table, which would work as well.

What you want to avoid is a regular 4-legged table since the legs in the corners make it difficult to slide along a bench.

Susan Susanka (per one of her books) suggests an overhang of 4"-5" so you obviously have leeway for table size.

The other factor affecting size is the bench's situation. Is your bench bounded by walls or cabinetry? If so, then it would be a good idea to end the table before the bench so that you have room to maneuver onto the bench. Check out this image to see what I mean.

[contemporary kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by hawaii interior designer Archipelago Hawaii, refined island designs

The table is as wide or perhaps a bit wider than the bench on the short wall and it works because you can slide onto the bench from the side. The table is shorter than the bench on the long wall because the bench ends at a cabinet. You need to approach the bench from the front not the side. If the table were as long as the bench, it would be much harder to slide onto the bench.

HTH!

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Comments (8)

cplover
12 years ago
I wish! I am having the same dilemma. I have heard you want a few inches of over hang onto the seating area, but I have not hear a precise number. Also it depends on the shape of your banquette and what shape of table you want. We have an L-shaped banquette so we have opted for trying to find a rectangular shaped table without legs (either pedestal or trestle base) so that way it is easy to make it around that L-shape bend without hitting table legs. But it has been a real project trying to find a semi-affordable table that means those criteria AND our size limitations. Good luck!
breezygirl
12 years ago
As Newbie mentioned, you want the table to overhang the bench below by at least a few inches. Restaurant booths and tables are usually built for a 6" overhang, although some strangely place their benches to get more or less floor coverage so YMMV at your local restaurant. I've also heard some less-commercial type designers suggest a 3" overhang.

Our last banquette had about a 6" overhang. I like this better. Our new one will have the same. Think about what would be comfortable for you. How far under the table do you scoot yourself when you sit at a regular chair and table? That's a good guideline to go by as you can't scoot your "chair" under the table when you're sitting on a bench.

The overhang for the rest of the table is what you'd aim for with any dining table. The width of the table should follow standard table width guidelines.

Newbie!!! Glad to see you back. I've been wondering how things were coming along for you! How do yu like your prep sink? Sorry to go off topic, Painted Lady.
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thepaintedlady_gw
Original Author
12 years ago
Hmm.

Thanks!

Yea, finding a pedestal or trestle table has been a bear. I refuse to pay more for my kitchen table than I paid for my stickley dining table.

Maybe I'm a bad shopper.
breezygirl
12 years ago
What kind of table are you looking for? What about buying a metal base and having a top made of wood or stone? Or even finding a wood worker to build the whole thing?
thepaintedlady_gw
Original Author
12 years ago
Breezy, I'm looking for a rectangular table because it's a very narrow space.

Also we're just moving into the house now after a few months of renovations and we're planing on getting to the kitchen next winter (2012) so I'm hesitant to buy a good table (or custom table) for the space.

I have a few old IKEA tables and I might shove it into the corner - or just keep an eye on craigslist.
kirkhall
12 years ago
Always remember Craigslist for inexpensive and sometimes very, very nice dining/kitchen tables. I got mine--a trestle rectangled top table (oak though), for $150 with 6 chairs. People have a tough time selling large furniture pieces on CL, and so their prices are very affordable. Some will even deliver if you ask (mine did).
lavender_lass
12 years ago
Sometimes unfinished furniture stores will have different options for table top sizes and different bases...especially for pedestal tables. Hope that helps :)

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