Okay, so there isn’t a homecoming queen in this post, but I couldn’t help but to reference the Monkees at any given chance — even though I was born in the 80′s.

Before we even began our house hunting search, we (well, mostly me) started collecting photos, floor plans, and house related clippings of what we wanted in our future house. One thing that always caught my eye, and still does, is kitchen banquette seating. I had seen banquette seating in magazines and movies but a few years ago, I saw it in person in a Martha Stewart KB Home model in Cary, North Carolina (after graduating from college, Greg and I toyed with the idea of moving there). I immediately fell in love with the idea and simply “had to have it” in my future home. I still have the photo I took that day…

Banquette seating, large windows, open shelving, crisp white wainscoting… swoon! From that day on, I started a file called “Banquette Seating” on my computer and collected photos to use as inspiration when we purchased our first home. Sadly, we don’t have an area for this but it’s okay to daydream, right? Here are my top 6 favorite inspiration photos from the file…

This image found on Decor Pad is one of my very first banquette seating inspiration images. Can’t you imagine having your morning coffee here?! The semetrical art work, sconces and flanking cabinetry tie everything together so nicely. The chandelier makes a huge statement without being too overpowering. I also love the powder blue walls. Heavenly!

This picturesque setting is in the home of textile designer LuLu De Kwiatkowski (image via Lonny Mag). I love the pairing of the crisp white bead board and the rustic farm table as well as the addition of the graphic print pillows. I also covet all of the natural lighting!

In this room, Martensen Jones Interiors took what could have been an awkward flex space in this beautiful kitchen and turned it into a perfect, what I like to call, “coffee nook”. The carrara marble table top ties in with the countertop and backsplash. By using the same material, this really ties in the two “zones”.

Surrounded by white cabinetry, backsplash and countertops, the gray and white striped fabric on the banquette seating in this kitchen (Gast Architects) is the perfect touch of whimsy! I also love how the black table in front of the banquette seating adds some needed depth and helps ground the room. A perfect combination of light and dark!

Yes, another white kitchen! Ya’ll should know by now that I have an obsession with white kitchens. Moving on… This kitchen by Jennifer Dryer (image via Lonny Mag) is another great example of using a potentially awkward space and transforming it into a perfectly thought out nook. This would be a great little space for kids (or in our case, Bentley) to hang out while we cook. The extra storage under the seating is a plus too. Oh, I envy this kitchen!

If there were a photo with practically all of my current obsessions… this one would be it. Neutral gray fabric, tufted banquette seating, wing back chairs, a pop of color by way of a simple floral arrangement, typography artwork, gobs of coffee table books… what do I NOT love about this photo? Nothing! Simply put, Kishani Perera outdid herself.

So there you have it… my top 6 favorite inspiration photos for banquette seating. Even though we don’t have a place for it in our house, a little daydreaming eye candy never hurts.

Just because I can’t get the song out of my head now, I must close with a tribute to one of my favorite Monkees songs:

Are you daydreaming about a certain architectural feature you long to have in your home? We’d love to hear your daydreaming stories…