How To Build a Banquette in Your Kitchen (featuring Magnolia Home at Pier 1)

You guys! I'm so, so excited to FINALLY share a little DIY remodeling project we recently did that changed our life. No really, that's not hyperbole. Reworking one corner of our kitchen and making it into an eating nook with a banquette has literally changed the way our family operates. BB (Before Banquette), we hated eating at the dining room table because it was in a weird spot and moving around was a big hassle so we decided to turn a little used corner of the kitchen into a dining area with a banquette. And it turned out fantastic! We eat nearly every meal there together as a family and play games or do art projects. It's like, all we needed was an airy and comfortable place to connect as a family. Do you have a small nook or corner in your kitchen that's begging for an eat-in family spot? Well, here's a tutorial on how to build a banquette in your kitchen (featuring Magnolia Home at Pier 1) so you can make one!

And you know who else is a big believer in implementing great design to change your family's dynamic? The Patron Saint of Shiplap, JoAnna Gaines. So you just KNOW that I had to incorporate a few pieces from her new Magnolia Home line available at Pier 1 into my dining nook decor. The texture and colors of the rug and pillows add a casual chicness to a relatively utilitarian area. I mean, we eat dinner and play games there but now, it's like we're doing it with style! Anyhoo, here's a quick a dirty tutorial on how to build a banquette in your kitchen and then decorate it in your best farmhouse style!

Measure the area where you want the banquette.

Use those measurements to order enough stock above the fridge cabinets to fill the space (fill any gaps with trim).

Remove doors from cabinets so that only the boxes are left.

Use a clamp to attach two of the cabinets together and then drill a hole through one cabinet into the other and secure the two with a binding post. Repeat as necessary until all the cabinets form a line and are firmly connected.

Create a wider seat base (since most cabinets are 12″) by building a frame out of 2″x 4″s that will go between the cabinets and the wall. Attach the frame to studs in the wall.

Use 2″x 2″s to create a frame that the cabinets will rest on. It should be the exact size of the width and length of the cabinet run.

Attach cabinet frame to floor or wall frame.

Attach cabinets to both frames using a drill with a pilot hole and screws.

Fill in all holes and gaps with trim or spackle.

Stain or paint any wood that shows the same color as your cabinets.

Cut a piece of MDF or wood to the desired seating size.

Attach to cabinets and frame using a drill with a pilot hole and screws.

Fill in all holes and gaps with trim or spackle.

Stain or paint the seating top.

Attach doors to cabinet boxes.

Add hardware.

Decorate with a selection of pillows and rugs from Magnolia Home at Pier 1.

To me, the banquette is amazing but what really makes us all want to be in there and together are the cozy pillows from the Magnolia Home line at Pier 1. They are nubby, and wooly, and wonderful! Melanie loves stacking them up and sitting on them. Finn uses the neutral colored diamond one as a snuggly spot when he's getting sleepy. He cuddles right up on it! Both of my children love playing on the gorgeous (but SO easy to vacuum and spot clean) rug. It looks like one of those incredible faded Turkish rugs… but at a fraction of the price! I feel like Joanna and Pier 1 really offer a line that holds up well with pets and kids but also makes your house look like a million bucks!

And guess what? You can save EVEN more on these lovely farmhouse inspired pieces right now if you shop for Magnolia Home online at Pier 1 because they are offering free shipping to all orders $49+. And yes! That does include free UPS shipping! What a fantastic deal, right? So what are you waiting for? Go. Shop. Now! Get a little farmhouse in your house today.