Choosing a banquet

The banquet, as a type of furniture, first appeared in France, presumably in the 16-17 centuries, during the heyday of court luxury and craving for exquisite decoration.

Poufs and banquets served as a kind of bench in the home interpretation. It was convenient to sit on them with comfort, surrounded by guests or in the process of any official events. Judging by the name of this type of furniture, it was invented and used for banquet entertainment.

Models of benches with a back were very popular, creating the most comfortable conditions during long ceremonies of any direction. At the same time, the banquettes began to be used for prolonged piano playing. The soft base of the furniture reduced the stress on the spine during musical exercises.

From the reign of kings to modern days, banquets not only serve as interior decoration, but also perform their functions for their intended purpose. On them, as before, it is convenient to sit down, but not in between the melodies at the ball, but, for example, to change shoes. It was this use of the banquet that was most popular in the Soviet years.

Today they are used everywhere in the home. But now they have a more practical design and often serve not only for relaxation, but also as a place to store things.

To understand why this piece of furniture from the Middle Ages is so attractive, you need to learn about its features. It is customary to call a bench a small elegant bench with a soft base. It can be made of various materials, with or without a backrest, with or without armrests.

It is easy to replace several traditional stools in the kitchen with a bench. And if you organize an inner drawer in it, then the furniture will become not only comfortable, but also functional.

A typical bench can have the following features:

• complement the interior of the room;
• accommodate within a small hallway;
• have internal space for storing shoes or small household items;
• replace stools and chairs;
• used as a stand for equipment, household appliances;
• play the role of an ottoman near the dressing table or at the piano.

Currently, you can find a wide variety of options for banquets.

• It looks very advantageous in the interior of the living room and in the dining area. sofa bench... One of the guests or the hostess herself who receives the guests can comfortably sit on it. This model is a tribute to the tradition of the past, when it was customary in noble houses to receive guests, sitting on an elegant banquet. Due to this purpose, furniture is traditionally produced with an upholstered seat and back.

• Banquet table in living rooms - a great solution that combines two in one. It is equally convenient to sit on it and behind it alone or in a small pleasant company.

• Banquet chest found her refuge in modern bedrooms and children's rooms. In the first version, bed linen is stored in the depths of the volume bench, and in the second, toys are folded.

• Another model most commonly used in bedrooms is ottoman stool... The upholstered piece of furniture serves as a chair at the vanity table.But it is distinguished from a chair by the absence of legs. The pouf can be easily moved around the room and taken out of it if necessary. Legs are thrown at him with pleasure after a hard day's work.

• The kitchen is the place for bencheswhich can be light and mobile or stationary but multifunctional. It is very convenient to store kitchen utensils inside it with a small area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe room.
• Banquet stools also frequent furnishings in kitchens. Because a soft base is much more comfortable than a traditional hard seat stool.

• And here chair-bench in the form of a "horseshoe" and a bench-pedestal are considered universal products that can be used anywhere in the living space. It is convenient to store small everyday items in the cabinet. If you install such a piece of furniture near the sofa, the issue of storing remote controls, chargers for mobile phones, headphones and books will be solved in the most successful way.

• Have banquets-pedestals as usual, a rigid flat seat, on which it is convenient to place a glass of water at night, a telephone with an alarm clock, a wristwatch or some other object. Convenient shelves are hidden inside the cabinet, with or without a door.

• A more decorative role in canapés... The miniature seat serves solely for its intended purpose - for sitting. You can't sit on it for a long time because of the size and lack of a back and armrests. But temporarily settling on a canapé will be quite comfortable.

It would seem that the bench is a classic piece of furniture, but it has only one name from the classic. Now manufacturers give free rein to the fantasies of designers and bring incredible types of banquets into reality.

To create exclusive furniture for different interiors, not only wood, chipboard and MDF are used, but also metal and forging. A wrought-iron bench with a pouf is not only a strong and durable option, but also a real find for colonial, Empire, Baroque and many other exquisite furnishings.

The same applies to the model with a pouf, more precisely from the bench in this model one name.

And if such a soft seat is combined with a lifting mechanism, the pouf will become not only the embodiment of comfort and convenience, but will also hide all kinds of household trifles from prying eyes. This pouf can have a round shape, rather than the traditional rectangular or square.

The banquets in the form of a pouf with a carriage coupler look especially impressive. This is a classic style trend, but nevertheless appropriate in many creative modern interiors. In bright colors of upholstery, such furniture attracts teenagers and designers creating interiors in the style of ontoart and techno. And in the interior of vintage and loft such poufs in pastel shades look great: milk, ivory, pearl, champagne.

If the bench is planned to be located in the kitchen, it is better to choose with armrests and an adjustable backrest. During a long conversation over tea or gatherings at the table with guests, it is much more comfortable to sit on such a bench than on a similar one, but with a fixed back. The corner design of the bench is also very beneficial for the kitchen.

Eco-leather covering for the kitchen will be the most practical option. And if you want more gloss and sophistication, you should consider textured materials as upholstery. The ribbed surface of the artificial leather gives the product an unusual chic and presentable look.

A rigid double bench with legs on a metal frame will fit into the interior of a modern hallway. Moreover, it will serve not only as a decoration, but will also be a very profitable piece of furniture.

There are special models of benches, with a place for storing shoes, equipped with a drawer, a shelf for keys and shoe brushes. They usually have a hard or semi-soft seat surface with a hinged lid. Or the lid is fixed and the drawers open from the side.

For the hallway, the choice of banquets is striking in its assortment. If the footage allows, then the three-seater semicircular model will become the center of the style of the entrance part of the house. And in cramped conditions, a single-seat model on wheels will come in handy. Such soft ottomans are good when the shelf in the corridor also serves as a dressing table. Equipped with suitable lighting while sitting on a single pouf, it is very convenient to do hair and apply makeup.

The folding and stationary bench is convenient for the pianist... It is easy and simple to slide the small model under the piano, and it is very convenient to sit on it at the instrument. Moreover, together with the piano, the bench looks incredibly elegant, sublime and aesthetically pleasing.

For the living room there will be many good models, and they can be used for their intended purpose for quite specific purposes. To relax your muscles after a hard day, there is nothing more pleasant for your legs than throwing them on a comfortable bench. And if you put a tray with tea and sweets, fruits or dessert on a low bench, it will replace a coffee table. In front of the TV, such a snack brings together and liberates.

Into the corridor the bench is placed both for storing shoes and keys, and for the convenience of changing shoes. This is especially true in families with children and the elderly. Sitting on a low, stable bench makes putting on shoes much easier and easier. In addition, it is so appropriate to place bags on the banquet in the corridor.

Models with a shelf instead of one of the armrests are an excellent solution for owners of stationary telephones. The device will always be in a conspicuous place, and long conversations on it can be carried out sitting on a bench.

To the dressing room it is also not superfluous to put a bench with a shelf for storing shoes. If space permits, it can be three-seater, located along one of the walls. It is the banquet that will make any nook with clothes a real wardrobe.

An elegant bench with curved legs just pulls to place it at the foot of the bed in the bedroom... This solution will transform the rest room into an exquisite boudoir. A more massive model, with a chest-shaped drawer, is a frequent option in modern styles. It is practical for storing bedding and is beautiful as a decor item.

For the dressing table in the bedroom, on the contrary, they choose miniature models, poufs with and without legs. They are often equipped with casters for ease of movement. If necessary, they are pulled out or pushed under the countertop.

It will not hurt, but only decorate and serve as an excellent storage place for the banquet In bathroom... Of course, if the footage allows. Towels will always be at hand, and it is much more comfortable to do cosmetic procedures and even dry yourself after a shower. You can use the bench in the bathroom for another purpose, if you combine it with a laundry basket.

For children this piece of furniture is also not rarely bought. Children love lush ottoman banquets and benches with a soft seat, under which they hide their toy treasures. A banquet in a children's room is often made in the form of a chest or equipped with an open shelf for books.

Often they put a banquet in houses to the balcony... There it is very harmonious both for seating and storage space. On balconies and loggias, it is important to save as much space as possible. And a bench with a folding soft cover-seat is ideal to cope with this task.What to store in it is an individual decision.

Obviously, this piece of furniture is multifunctional and will come in handy in any setting. In every room, the banquette will become a favorite piece of furniture. In addition, they have adapted to use it in beauty salons, public receptions and waiting rooms. This is not only a home type of furniture, but a thing with a diverse functionality and purpose.

A certain model of a bench is suitable for each style, depending on the materials from which it is made. There are several of the most popular and best-selling upholstery options:

• leather upholstery - a classic solution for all times, preferred in many styles, but not affordable for everyone;
• eco-leather - an affordable analogue that imitates a natural coating. Differs in strength, practicality and durability.
• velor surface - a choice of aesthetes and lovers of luxury, fits harmoniously into the oriental interior, baroque, empire, renaissance, versailles and similar stylistic trends;

• quilted fabric upholstery also looks presentable and expensive. This is real chic, embodied within the banquet;
• micro-corduroy - modern fabric, often used by designers for upholstery of upholstery. The delicate velvety surface beckons to sit on it for relaxation.

The bases of the structure are also distinguished by a great variety, which makes it possible to choose a bench according to individual taste.

There is a winning solution for every single room:

• metal the base of the bench is suitable for a corridor or kitchen. And in the bathroom it is necessary to use exclusively stainless steel;
• chrome plated - similar to the previous version. Looks great in modern interiors. Best combined with leather upholstery and eco-leather with a smooth or ribbed surface;

• plastic - a budget option for a banquet. Easy to clean, lightweight, and therefore mobile and often used in children's rooms. For the bathroom, plastic is a godsend. Since it is not afraid of moisture, mold, it can be easily wiped off, it can be washed under running water;
• rattan base - suitable for a banquet located on a terrace, loggia, veranda. Visible lightness of construction with high real strength;
• solid wood - the most durable bench, durable and suitable for living rooms and dining rooms. Combines with a seat upholstered in micro-corduroy, and with velor, and with a tapestry. With each type of fabric, the solid wood looks presentable and solid. The wooden base can withstand heavy loads and remains intact for many years;

• Chipboard - the material is cheaper and more accessible than the array. But it allows you to create complex shapes and intricate designs. Lightweight, has a wide range of colors and a lot of design options.

It is necessary for the bench to support the style of the interior, complementing the overall picture in a timely manner. In the living room, low models of ottomans with upholstery identical to the one from which the rest of the upholstered furniture is made will look ideal. Usually, such models are equipped with a sofa and armchairs.

A uniform color scheme and style creates a certain atmosphere. Withstanding it, you can achieve absolute harmony in the interior. But for this you need to understand what is good for the classics or not acceptable in the modern arrangement of the room.

The classic style will be emphasized by strict ottomans and upholstered banquettes. An exception can be made only for checkered and striped fabrics of dull colors: light beige and silver, brown and pearl.

Modern style is white, black or red colors. A purple or turquoise bench looks bright, but not in all interior variations.Sometimes a calm wenge color fits more into a modern style than bright and juicy colors.

Wenge is generally the most common choice of designers, both for the base of banquets and for upholstery. It can be found most often in the corridors. In addition, a bench in this design is a frequent "tenant" of offices, fireplace rooms, dining rooms and reception areas.

And for those who want to make the center of the interior exactly the banquet, you should take a closer look at the models with velvet fabrics or fabrics that imitate embroidery and lace. Gold on the upholstery looks chic in the bedroom, as does silver in the patterns.

A yellow or blue bench with or without a frame, in the form of a pouf or a stable bench, is perfect for a teenager's room or in a nursery. Bright colors lift your spirits, increase your lust for life and stimulate activity and activity. This is what the younger generation needs. It is necessary to instill a taste for comfort and beauty from childhood.

According to their dimensions, the rest benches are produced different, both long and single. A large bench is good for a spacious room, and a narrow 25 cm will fit even into the smallest corridor.

The standard size of a bench in the kitchen is 1500x400x400, but smaller parameters of length, width and depth are very popular and very convenient. The long bench can be used as a mini-sofa to place guests at the table. It replaces several stools and accommodates several people at the same time.

But it is also convenient to use it to relax individually. Relaxing reclining on such a bed after dinner while reading a book or watching a movie is a great option for relaxation. Better if it is a low model. The tall one is best for the kitchen or dining room.

A banquet in the bedroom often has dimensions of 1300x400x400 - it is comfortable and does not clutter up the space. It is low and in the same style as the rest of the furniture.

Each specific style needs its own bench model. Initially, this piece of furniture was used in Provence styles, Baroque is a classic of this genre. Today, these styles are retro, but they have not lost their popularity. On the contrary, it is growing with renewed vigor.

• Modern designers widely use soft benches, creating East style... Upholstered velor, curved legs, low base, padded back and armrests. Everything for the most relaxed oriental hospitable atmosphere.

• Country styleon the contrary, the fabrics are more practical, the patterns are simpler, the frame is uncomplicated. The colors of the banquettes are in light shades, a check is welcomed, floral motifs of the upholstery on a pale blue, pinkish, cream or white background. Frame - natural wood, solid pine, oak. Often painted in a snow-white color, but natural wood does not give up the leading positions in the country style.
• Loft style suggests simplicity combined with sophistication. The banquets are exactly the same - elegant and luxurious, without unnecessary details, bends and brightness. The colors of the upholstery are monochrome, the fabric is leather and its artificial substitute. The design is both straight and angular, the height is small. The view of the banquet is often made in an antique style, the base is not smooth, but textured, with a carriage coupler, which can be not only on top, but also on all sides of the piece of furniture.

• Scandinavian style in the interior will be emphasized by a light bench of simple shape, rectangular, without pretentious openwork elements and bent legs. Only airy lightness and natural naturalness. A favorite interior solution of Europeans, which has taken root in many Slavic houses.
• Art Deco requires a real extravaganza of forms and brilliance of colors.Real luxury, inherent only to eminent nobility and royalty. The rich look of the banquets transforms the bedroom into an imperial alcove, and the living room into the reception room of a socialite giving amazing balls. Benches in this style are always the focus of attention, as comfortable as possible for relaxation, on their base you don't even want to sit down, but lie down.

Choosing chic or discreet models is an individual decision for everyone. Indeed, in any case, this type of furniture will be in demand in any corner of the house. Moreover, now the production of banquets is gaining momentum.

Manufacturers are concerned not only with the design component, but also with the quality characteristics of the products. As for the tips for choosing, they cannot be unambiguous. Someone can afford the banquets made in Italy, stylish and respectable. Other wealthy owners prefer elite Spanish banquets.

Each buyer, relying on the listed criteria for combining furniture styles with the interior, is able to personally choose a bench for his needs. Based on the available funds and the purpose of the piece of furniture.

Of course, you should only choose high-quality, reliable designs that will last a long time and without problems. If the income allows you to make repairs in a different style, then the bench is selected for the specific decision of the designer. But for those who are conservative or do not plan frequent changes, it is better to stick to the classic model. Of course, if we are not talking about a nursery.

Children's tastes are changeable, so there is no point in buying too expensive poufs. Moreover, babies do not differ in accuracy and thrift. For naughty ones, soft models with washable upholstery, bright, warm colors are preferable. All kinds of ornaments, animal drawings, sweets and superhero prints are welcome. The ideal material is the one that has "vandal-proof" strength.

The same rule should be adopted by owners of four-legged pets. The banquet is a favorite resting place for cats and miniature dogs. But our smaller brothers do not care about the condition of the upholstery. On the contrary, sharpening claws on tapestry or leatherette is a great pleasure for them.

Banquets with anti-claw coating (velor, flock, chenille) are often made to order; such models are not placed on the stream.

Incredibly good in functionality are the transformer benches that turn into tables or transform from a solid bench into two independent poufs. Design solutions never cease to amaze with their creativity and originality. Unique banquettes are made to order, they have a great price tag. But connoisseurs of art do not care much about this aspect. They are accustomed to buying only exclusives and do not bargain in order to buy a cheaper item for an expensive interior.

Naturally, exclusive models are not purchased for the sake of placement on the balcony. And there is a minimum of practicality in them. Banks and instruments are not stored in the bowels of such structures. But they are always admired by guests and they delight the eyes of their sophisticated owners.

In order to understand which bench is suitable for a particular style, you should get acquainted with ready-made solutions.A photo of banquets in different interiors will help the designer navigate in different directions and choose something of his own.

• The red bench is a bold solution for lovers of extravagance in the interior, a bright accent on luxury.

• Round bench upholstered in pastel colors in a Provence style room.
• Luxurious upholstered bench with a curved, asymmetrical back and baroque carriage brace.
• An unusual solution is the black upholstery of the upholstery in combination with the golden coating of an elegant wooden frame.
• Bench, if necessary, replacing a coffee table. Simplicity of forms, monochrome upholstery, practical fabric - a sign of restrained taste.

How to make a vintage bench from a phone stand is the next video.