TikTok Shares DIY Banquette Seating Options To Add Style To Any Space
Whether you're after some sneaky additional storage or simply love the idea of a cozy breakfast nook, banquettes combine fun with functionality. The great thing is, it's easy enough to bring one into your own home through a TikTok-approved DIY project. You'll need some 2x4s, plywood, and your trim of choice. Start by thinking about how big, tall, and wide you want your banquette seating to be. From there, plot it against the wall. Once you've done that, you'll be able to determine just how much lumber you'll need for the project.
Though the exact dimensions will be based on the above process, there are some things you'll definitely need. First up, a selection of 2x4s. You'll use these to fashion a ledger board that keeps everything securely attached to the wall and to build a number of small frames that will form the structure of the banquette. The 2x4s will also be used to connect the frames to the ledger to provide support. Next, ¾-inch plywood is used to cover the framework, as well as provide the seating, and trim boards are there to add some personality to the design (but we'll get into that in a bit). Head to your nearest lumber yard for the best deal on the wood and to get things cut to the exact measurements you want. Let's get started on making those banquette dreams come true!
Once you've built your banquette, make it your own
Assembling the banquette is as simple as screwing the individual frames together and bolting them to the ledger board. Granted, as suggested by TikToker @dawson.diy, if you're planning on using the space beneath the banquette as storage, that doesn't apply to the top of the banquette — keep that loose. As for the other components, like the trim, that's where the fun comes in.
The kind of trim you'll use for your banquette all comes down to your personal style. In the video, @dawson.diy used trim boards to add extra dimension that looked a little more traditional but matched perfectly with the existing baseboards, then painted it all one color for a cohesive look. Into something a little more moody? Instead of painting the banquette, opt for a dark wood stain (available on Amazon for less than $9 for half a pint).
Alternatively, if you're a fan of a more coastal look, you could always follow TikTok user @cozy.happy.home's lead and forego the trim in favor of glued-on fluted casing, also available on Amazon for $3.31, though the overall price will depend on how big your project is. Whatever you end up deciding on for the finish, top it off with cushions, and you're good to go! Super keen on a banquette, but renting? You can always create something similar using IKEA Kallax cabinets. A good banquette is always a fun feature to have, whether you're building one from scratch or not.