How to Specify Banquette Seating for Hospitality Spaces
Banquette seating has become a defining feature of modern hospitality design.
From boutique hotels to buzzing cafés, bespoke banquettes define how guests experience a space - comfortable, space-savvy, and individually designed. Our in-house design team works with you to create inviting layouts that reflect your venue’s personality through thoughtful materials and attention to detail.
What Is Banquette Seating?
Banquette seating refers to upholstered benches that are usually built to fit into a wall or corner. These made-to-measure pieces combine the comfort of a sofa with the practicality of built-in furniture, making them a favourite choice in busy hospitality settings
Custom-built banquettes can also follow curves, alcoves, or window lines, transforming awkward or underused areas into standout design features. It’s the ideal mix of comfort, durability, and smart space use.
Banquettes can be curved, linear, or booth-style, depending on the space and atmosphere you want to create. As well as saving space, they introduce warmth, texture, and acoustic softness which helps turn an open plan space into a comfortable interior which is great for socialising.
If you would like to see examples of how space plans have transformed into completed projects, then take a look at our bespoke Banquette Seating Collection.
Made to Fit. Built to Last.
Watch how Inside Out creates bespoke banquettes that bring comfort, style, and personality to every space.
Banquette, Booth or Bench | What is the Difference?
Often these terms are used interchangeably, but they do mean slightly different things. A banquette typically runs along a wall and is built in. A booth forms a more enclosed space, with seating that faces inward around a table which is perfect for privacy. And a bench can be freestanding or curved, offering flexibility and an informal feel.
Choosing between these options, depends on how you want your guests to interact. Booths create intimacy; benches add sociability; and banquettes maximise every inch of space while keeping a tailored, considered aesthetic.
Designing the Backrest and Detailing
The backrest is what gives a banquette its personality.
Plain backs create a modern, minimal aesthetic. Fluted or ribbed styles add sophistication, while deep-buttoned and Chesterfield designs evoke classic luxury. Rolled backs can bring softness and a nod to retro glamour.
For back type, we have a customisation tool that you can use to look at different combinations of base/kick plate type and upholstery.
Capping and Kickplates
Capping adds a neat, finished edge to a banquette, protecting busy areas and adding another layer of design interest)
Although it might seem like a small detail, capping makes a big difference to both the look and performance of a banquette. It gives the top edge a smart, built-in feel, protects against everyday wear, and helps the seating blend naturally into the space around it.
At Inside Out, we often include capping when a wall isn’t completely straight or when radiators sit behind the banquette. In those cases, vented capping cleverly conceals the radiator while allowing heat to escape effectively, keeping the seating line clean and continuous. It’s a practical touch that balances design and function, keeping everything aligned, protected, and perfectly fitted.
Capping can be made from a wide range of materials, including wood, brass, or high-pressure laminate. These finishes can tie into other details in the interior, from bar counters and flooring to decorative metalwork, helping create a cohesive, well-considered look. Smooth, rounded edges also prevent scuffs from cleaning equipment and keep the seating looking smart for longer.
While capping refines the top edge of the banquette, the kickplate at the base has its own important role. It protects against scuffs and marks in high-traffic areas and can also discreetly house power outlets or USB chargers, giving guests convenient access without interrupting the design.
Capping and kickplates do more than elevate the design. They improve durability, enhance safety, and make cleaning simpler. Over time, these details reduce maintenance and help the seating stay looking its best, proving that thoughtful design really is in the details.
Base Types and Construction
The base of a banquette has a big impact on both its look and how it performs in a space. A plinth base gives a seamless, built-in appearance. It also helps to conceal electrical fittings or radiator vents, keeping the design clean and practical.
By contrast, banquettes with raised legs feel lighter and more open, making them perfect for contemporary interiors or smaller rooms where floor visibility helps create a sense of space.
Wood legs add warmth and a handcrafted touch, while metal frames offer a sleek, modern edge and exceptional durability for busy hospitality settings.
Every Inside Out banquette is handmade in the UK using contract-grade frames and high-performance materials. Built for durability and easy maintenance, each piece is designed to withstand the demands of everyday use while maintaining its comfort and character for years to come.
Stitching Styles
Even the stitching can make a difference. Top stitching gives a clean, contemporary look. Saddle stitching draws subtle attention to craftsmanship, and blind seams create a refined, seamless finish.
It might seem like a small touch, but the right stitching style can really add to the look and feel of the piece.
Choosing the Right Upholstery
The comfort of a banquette isn’t just about its looks, it is also defined as much by what lies beneath the surface as by the materials you see.
A well-constructed seat should feel supportive, resilient, and inviting, no matter how long a guest stays. Sprung interiors offer deep, lasting comfort and a sense of luxury, while foam-on-board builds provide a firmer, more structured sit which is perfect for cafés or fast-paced dining environments where durability is key.
Upholstery choice is where performance meets personality. Leather and faux leather are often specified for seat pads because they combine exceptional durability with easy maintenance and offer a practical choice for high-traffic spaces. By contrast, velvets, chenilles, and textured weaves bring richness and depth to backrests, adding warmth and a tactile element that enhances the overall experience.
Sometimes, designers mix materials. Pairing smooth leather seats with plush velvet backs or woven fabrics to create visual contrast and a sense of layered luxury.
It should be noted that textured or patterned textiles also work well to disguise everyday wear, keeping the seating looking fresh and elegant over time.
Whatever the aesthetic, choosing contract-grade upholstery is essential. It ensures that every surface not only looks beautiful but performs under pressure, maintaining colour, comfort, and quality for years of hospitality use.
Discover our range of Fabrics and Finishes.
Bringing It All Together
A well-specified banquette does more than provide seating, it also shapes how people experience a space. It defines the flow of a space, sets mood, and adds personality. When you combine thoughtful proportions, quality craftsmanship, and materials that tell a story, banquette seating becomes both a functional feature and a design statement.
At Inside Out Contracts, every piece we make is tailored to your layout and vision. Whether you are creating an elegant dining booth or a contemporary lounge setting, our design team can help you develop the perfect fit in style, comfort, and finish.
Ready to start your design conversation?
Ready to bring your banquette vision to life? Book your consultation with our design team today.
We will help you explore materials, layouts, and detailing options to create seating that’s made for your space, beautifully, thoughtfully, and built to last.
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Inside Out Contracts
Building 16, 42 Creek Road, London SE8 3FN
Sales: +44(0)20 8305 3130
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