banquette cushions
Corner Bench Cushion Guide: How to Measure an L-Shaped Bench
Most corner bench cushion mistakes happen where the two benches meet. Learn how to measure each leg, choose one L-shaped cushion or two straight ones, and pick a thickness and fabric for a busy breakfast nook.
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Most corner bench cushion mistakes happen in one small square: the spot where the two benches meet. If you order two straight cushions without a plan for that square, one runs short or both jam together. Get the corner right, and the rest of the job is simple measuring.
Quick answer
To order a corner bench cushion, measure each leg of the bench along the back wall and along the front edge, then measure the seat depth on both sides. Check that the inside corner is square. Choose one L-shaped cushion for a no-seam look, or two straight cushions where one runs into the corner and the other butts against it.
Should you get one L-shaped cushion or two straight cushions?
Get one L-shaped cushion if you want a clean corner with no seam and less sliding. Get two straight cushions if you want lighter pieces that are easier to wash, move and replace.
| Feature | One-piece L cushion | Two straight cushions |
|---|---|---|
| Corner seam | None | One seam where the cushions meet |
| Crumbs and spills | Nowhere to fall in the corner | Crumbs can drop into the seam |
| Sliding | Less, because it braces against both walls | More, unless tied down |
| Cleaning | One large cover to handle | Smaller covers, one at a time |
| Shipping and handling | One large, bulky package | Two smaller pieces |
| Wear | Replace the whole piece | Replace or rotate one side |
| Corner overlap | Not an issue | You must decide which cushion owns the corner |
Our custom L-shaped cushion builder makes the one-piece version to your sizes. If your bench steps out around a post or has a deeper middle section, look at the custom T-shaped cushion instead.
Who owns the corner with two straight cushions?
One cushion runs all the way into the corner. The other stops against its front face. Never cut both cushions to the full length of the back wall.
Usually the longer bench gets the full-length cushion. The shorter one is measured from its open end to the front of the first cushion.
Say your bench runs 72 inches along one wall and 54 inches along the other, with an 18-inch seat depth. The first cushion is 72 by 18. The second is 36 by 18, because 54 minus 18 is 36.
How do you measure an L-shaped bench for a cushion?
Measure the wooden seat itself, not the old cushion. Use a metal tape and round to the nearest quarter inch.
- Measure leg A along the back wall, from the inside corner to the open end.
- Measure leg A along the front edge, from the open end to where it meets the front edge of leg B.
- Repeat both measurements for leg B.
- Measure seat depth on each leg at both ends and the middle. Walls are rarely perfectly straight, so the numbers may differ.
- Check that the inside corner is square. Use a carpenter's square, or mark 3 feet along one wall and 4 feet along the other; if the diagonal between the marks is 5 feet, the corner is square.
- Measure the length of any angled or clipped front corner.
- Note any trim, outlet or post the cushion must clear.
Quick check: back-wall length minus the other leg's depth should equal the front-edge length. If not, your corner is out of square. Our guide on how to measure banquette and booth cushions has more detail.
What are typical banquette dimensions?
Most built-in banquettes have a finished seat height of about 18 inches and a seat depth of about 18 inches.
| Dimension | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Finished seat height (with cushion) | 17 to 18 in | Fine Homebuilding; Arcedior |
| Seat depth | 18 in, up to about 22 in | Fine Homebuilding; House & Home; Arcedior |
| Back height above the seat | 16 to 20 in | Arcedior |
| Seat-back angle | 7 to 9 degrees | Fine Homebuilding |
| Bench length per person | 24 in | NKBA; Arcedior |
| Knee space under a 30-in table | 18 in deep per diner | NKBA |
| Tabletop overlap past the seat edge | 3 to 4 in | Countryside Amish Furniture |
Fine Homebuilding used an 18-inch seat height and 18-inch depth for every banquette in its project guide. House & Home says seats should be 18 inches deep or more.
The NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines call for a space 24 inches wide and 18 inches deep for each diner at a 30-inch-high table. The NKBA is the trade group for kitchen designers.
How do you plan for the table and its legs?
Pick a pedestal or trestle table if you can. Four legs at the corners put one right where someone wants to slide in.
Fine Homebuilding recommends a trestle table for this reason. A round pedestal table also works well, since its single base sits in the middle.
Then check thigh room. Measure from the floor to the underside of the table apron, and subtract your finished seat height.
How thick should a kitchen nook cushion be?
For dining, aim for a cushion that brings the finished seat to about 18 inches. A 15-inch bench box with a 3-inch cushion gets you there.
Dining cushions should be firmer and thinner than lounge cushions. Soft, thick foam lets you sink too low.
Our builder's standard thickness is 3 to 5 inches, and it goes up to 8. Thinner cushions are available on request.
HD36-R high density foam is the everyday choice, with a 7-year warranty. Lux-R is firmer. We only use Super Soft foam in back cushions, never seats.
All our foams are CertiPUR-US certified. That means it was tested by an outside certification program. According to CertiPUR-US, certified foams are made without formaldehyde, mercury or lead, and give off low levels of chemicals called VOCs, under 0.5 parts per million.
What fabric is best for breakfast nook cushions?
Choose a performance fabric that handles spills, like Sunbrella.
Most Sunbrella fabric is solution-dyed acrylic. Solution-dyed means the color is added to the liquid fiber before it's spun into yarn, so the color runs all the way through. That's why it holds up better than fabric printed on the surface.
According to Sunbrella's upholstery cleaning guide, you should blot a fresh spill with a dry cloth, not rub it. Then spray it with mild soap and water, rinse well and let it air dry.
Our bench cushions have edge-to-edge zippers, and matching fabric ties come standard. Ties keep each leg from sliding forward, and Velcro is available on request. We don't add rubber non-slip backing, since it voids the warranty and stops the cover being machine washable.
Order a few fabric swatches first, so you can check colors in your own kitchen light. To see options, browse our banquette and breakfast nook cushions.
When do you need a paper template for a corner bench?
You need a template when the bench isn't made of straight lines and square corners.
- Your measurements don't add up, which usually means the corner isn't square.
- The bench has a curved front, a rounded corner or an angled end.
- A window bay, column or radiator cuts into the seat.
To make one, lay kraft paper on the seat and trace the edges. Label the back edge, mark which side faces up and write the depth at a few points. Our guide to ordering custom-shaped cushions from a template walks through each step.
You can also see the shapes we make on our custom-shaped cushions page. Custom shapes made from a template take 5 to 6 weeks, so plan ahead if you have a date in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Should two corner bench cushions overlap or butt together?
They should butt together. One cushion runs into the corner, and the other stops against its front face. A one-piece L-shaped cushion avoids the problem.
How thick should a breakfast nook bench cushion be?
Aim for a finished seat height of about 18 inches. Subtract your bench box height from 18 to find a starting thickness. Our standard thickness is 3 to 5 inches, with thinner available on request.
How deep should a banquette seat be?
About 18 inches is the common standard. Fine Homebuilding used 18 inches in its built-in banquette projects, and House & Home recommends 18 inches or more. Your cushion should match the actual depth of your bench.
Can I measure my old cushion instead of the bench?
Use it only as a reference, since old foam spreads and covers stretch. Measure the bench itself. Our cushions are made within half an inch of the size you order.
Sources
- Fine Homebuilding: Built-In Banquettes for a Kitchen or Dining Room
- NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines
- House & Home: Banquette Seating at Home
- Arcedior: Banquette Seating Dimensions Guide
- Countryside Amish Furniture: Banquette Seating FAQs
- Sunbrella: How to Clean Sunbrella Upholstery
- CertiPUR-US: Foam Certification Program
