Bench and Banquette Cushions for Canadian Kitchens and Breakfast Nooks

Quick answer: Measure the bench platform, not old cushions: length along the wall and depth at three points, to the nearest quarter inch. Keep seat cushions 2″ to 3″ thick so you sit at the right height for the table. For an L-shape, run one cushion into the corner and subtract its depth from the other wall. Choose wipe-clean faux leather or washable Sunbrella for family kitchens.

In a Canadian winter, the kitchen is where everyone ends up. Breakfast before school, homework after dark at four-thirty, Sunday pancakes with too much maple syrup and long Saturday games of crib. A built-in banquette or breakfast nook is the best seat in the house for all of it, as long as it has a good cushion. Here is how to measure, which foam to use and which fabrics stand up to real family life.

Banquette, nook or bench?

A banquette is a built-in bench along one or more walls, usually with a table in front. A breakfast nook is the same idea tucked into a corner or bay, often L-shaped or U-shaped. A kitchen bench is a free-standing bench at the table. They are measured the same way, with one extra step for corners. If your nook sits in a bay window, our guide to window seat and bench cushions covers angled bays in more detail.

How to measure a banquette seat

Use a metal tape, work in inches and write down every number.

1. Length: measure along the wall at the back of the seat, in the middle and at the front edge. Walls are rarely square, so use the smallest number.
2. Depth: measure from the wall or back panel to the front edge of the seat, at each end and in the middle. Again, use the smallest.
3. Between two side panels: take about 1/4″ off the length so the cushion drops in without bowing.
4. Long runs: a single cushion longer than about 72″ is awkward to lift, clean and ship. Split it into two or three equal sections.

For a deeper walkthrough with every common shape, see our guide to measuring for custom cushions in inches.

L-shaped and U-shaped nooks

Corners are where most measuring mistakes happen. The simplest method is to let one cushion own the corner.

1. Pick the longer wall. Cushion A runs the full length of that wall, all the way into the corner.
2. Measure the full length of the side wall, then subtract cushion A's depth. That number is cushion B's length.
3. For a U-shape, repeat on the far side.

A single L-shaped cushion is possible, but two pieces are easier to clean, rotate and replace, and they sit more neatly in a corner that isn't quite square.

How thick should a banquette cushion be?

Thinner than a sofa cushion. A banquette is a dining seat, and the table height doesn't change. Most kitchen tables are about 30″ high, and a seat around 18″ high feels right. Measure from the floor to the top of your bench, then pick a cushion that brings you close to that.

• 2″: for benches that are already close to dining height.
• 3″: the most popular choice, comfortable through a long dinner.
• 4″ or more: only if your bench is low, or for a lounge-style nook with a coffee table.

Choose a firm seat foam so a thin cushion doesn't bottom out. A Dacron wrap adds about 1/4″ and softens the edges. Our cushion size and foam guide compares the foam options side by side.

Back cushions

If your banquette has a flat wall or panel behind it, back cushions make it far more comfortable for long meals.

• Height: measure from the top of the seat cushion to where you want the back to stop.
• Width: match each seat section, or run one long back across several for a cleaner look.
• Thickness: 2″ to 4″ is typical. Thicker backs reduce the seat depth, so check you still have room to sit.

Super Soft foam is made for back cushions only. It gives a plush feel to lean into, but it is too soft to sit on, so keep it off the seat.

Fabrics for a family kitchen

Faux leather

Faux leather is the classic banquette finish for a reason. Syrup, ketchup and spilled milk wipe straight off. It looks tailored, and it suits both modern kitchens and farmhouse styles. Premium faux leathers such as Ultraleather are made to order on a quote basis, with an 8–12 week lead time, so plan ahead.

Sunbrella

Sunbrella isn't only for the deck. Indoors, it gives you the softness of a woven fabric with the practical side of an outdoor one. It is stain-repellent, solution-dyed so it can be cleaned without fading, and the covers are machine washable. It is a smart choice for a nook in a sunny bay window, where the low winter sun shines straight in. Browse Sunbrella for interiors for colours that suit a kitchen.

Warwick and velvet

For a dining nook that is more about looks than spills, Warwick upholstery fabrics from the Australian design house come in beautiful textures and plains, and the ranges we carry are all for indoor use. Velvet, which we keep in stock, gives a banquette a rich, warm feel for a dining room or a cozy corner. Both are best with removable, zippered covers so you can have them cleaned.

Not sure? Order swatches and leave them on the bench for a few days. The swatch cost is credited back on your order with a one-time code.

Finishing touches

• Zippers: every cover has one, so you can take it off for cleaning.
• Piping: gives the cushion a crisp, upholstered edge that suits built-in joinery.
• Ties or Velcro: matching fabric ties come standard and stop cushions sliding on free-standing benches. Velcro is available on request. Built-ins between walls usually need neither.
• Lift-up lids: if your banquette has storage underneath, split the seat cushion to match each lid.
• Throw pillows: a few in a contrasting fabric soften the corners of an L-shaped nook.

Ready to order?

Browse banquette and breakfast nook cushions for ideas, then build yours with the bench cushion builder. The price shows as you go, and we email a spec sheet so you can check every size before we cut. Every cushion is cut within ±0.5″ of your measurements, standard shapes are made in 2–3 weeks, and orders ship with free delivery across Canada with duties and GST/HST paid. Designing for a café or restaurant? Our trade programme is set up for that.

Frequently asked questions

How thick should a kitchen banquette cushion be?

2″ to 3″ for most banquettes, so you sit at a comfortable height for the table. Go thicker only if the bench itself is low.

How do I measure an L-shaped breakfast nook?

Let one cushion run the full length of the longer wall into the corner. Measure the side wall and subtract the first cushion's depth to get the second cushion's length.

What is the best fabric for a kitchen banquette?

Faux leather wipes clean most easily. Sunbrella is a softer option that is stain-repellent with machine-washable covers.

Should I measure my old banquette cushions?

No. Measure the bench platform. Old cushions flatten and shrink with use.

Can I have back cushions for my banquette?

Yes. Measure the height from the top of the seat cushion and match the width to each seat section. Back cushions are usually 2″ to 4″ thick.