While dining out, booth seating is by far the most popular seating in restaurants and bar areas. Move into lounges and lobbies of hotels or public spaces, and similar bench seating that continues around the perimeter of a room is the most comfortable option for waiting and relaxing. In this week’s Top Ten list of Infinite Banquettes, we take a look at some of the greatest contract furniture solutions of the endless variety.

Top Ten: Infinite Banquettes.

Extendable Banquette Seating for the Hospitality Design Market

1. Sussex
DESIGNER: Robin Day
MANUFACTURER: Magis
Dimensions: 22.25”W x 29.9”H x 70.3”L straight bench; 56.9”W x 29.9”H x 56.9”L curved bench

The Sussex seating system has a galvanized steel plate frame with a polypropylene seat and glass fiber, making it the indoor/outdoor banquette dream. Designed by Robin Day for Magis, it is air molded and can be fixed to the floor, making it a great modular system linked by zinc-plated steel links.

2. Isola 8
DESIGNER: Karim Rashid
MANUFACTURER: Nienkämper
Dimensions: n/a

Created by Karim Rashid for Nienkämper, the Isola 8 is named after the Italian word of “island”. As Rashid states of his bright and curvaceous seating design, “the inspiration for my newest work with Nienkämper was to create an oasis from the static world, an island for eight that offers a myriad of seating solutions,” says Karim Rashid.

3. Niche
MANUFACTURER: Colber Contract
Dimensions: n/a

Known for their initial work creating the interiors of cruise lines in the mid-1980’s, the Italian company known as Colber Contract has evolved a great deal since its 1979 inception. With a banquette that stands tall with its buttoned up, upholstered backrest, the Niche bench is idea for restaurant dining rooms.

4. HZ Hazelwood
MANUFACTURER: Falcon
Dimensions: 34″H x 30″- 48″L x 27″-46″D

Featuring a removable cushion seat, the plush banquette style of the HZ Hazelwood has a lovable retro look in various shapes and sizes. Its vertical split and backrest are upholstered in two horizontal channels and the chunky style of its layered design uses just 0.4 yards of upholstery per square foot.

5. Gilia 32
MANUFACTURER: ERG Contract
Dimensions: 19″- 56″W x 32″H x 19″- 23.5″D x 17″SH

Consisting of varying singular units that allow for curving in and out – straight module, corner module, end module 22.5° inside module, and 30° outside module – the Gilia 32 is made out of 100% solid hardwood with no-sag springs and comes in fabric, vinyl, crypton, leather or COM upholstery.

6. Esedra Bench
MANUFACTURER: Colber Contract
Dimensions: n/a

An immediate hit of tweed juxtaposed with a funky black and white striped backrest, the Esedra bench banquette is a crowd-pleasing seat for everyone. Accented with polished chrome legs that taper ever so slightly, and the elegance of the Esedra is in its fine details.

7. DP Des Peres
MANUFACTURER: Falcon
Dimensions: 48″H x 30″- 48″L x 18″- 48″D

Featuring a wood-finished top and end trim, the DP Des Peres banquette by Falcon is as close to a continuous barstool that we could find. Using stilted legs of standard wood finishes and stainless steel clad channel molding, the upholstered seats use just 0.25 yards of material per foot.

8. Diva Méridiène
DESIGNER: Marc Aurel
MANUFACTURER: Metalco
Dimensions: n/a

Made from 4mm laser-cut Corten steel in various finishes by Marc Aurel, the Diva Méridiène can come in different finishes for a custom look: galvanised and polyester powder-coated, left natural, or finished in an anti-wash treated Corten steel. All of the finishes gradually oxidize over a period of 12 to 18 months for a unique aesthetic.

9. Lazy Panchina
DESIGNER: Michel Boucquillon
MANUFACTURER: Serralunga
Dimensions: 47″L x 23.2″D x 35.8″H

The solid and curvaceous stature of the Lazy collection in the Panchina two-seater bench by Serralunga is the ultimate in contemporary indoor/outdoor banquette seating. With an interior polyester batyline construction available in white, black, red or yellow, Michel Boucquillon’s approach to a minimalist bench is great for lounges and patios alike.

10. Sit-In
DESIGNER: Ivan Palmini
MANUFACTURER: ALL+
Dimensions: 71″- 142″W x 15.75″D x 12.6″- 16.5″H

Using a solid beam of aluminum, the Sit-In seating system by Ivan Palmini for ALL+ features a sleek, indoor/outdoor structure using seating shells made from a recyclable plastic alternative with cushions covered in custom upholstery. Add magazine racks to its sides in teak, or lamps and beach umbrellas as purposeful extras.

Hope you enjoyed our roundup of the Top Ten Infinite Banquettes!

Top Ten articles publish every Tuesday. Email 3rings@designerpages.com if there’s a category you’d like to see.