Looking for beautiful banquette seating that doesn't cost $1000s? This on-sale Target version makes the look work in even the smallest of kitchens

We romanticize diners for good reason. Endless bitter coffee, the smell of pancakes on the griddle, the cushy booth seats where hours slip away in easy conversation. What I didn’t realize, though, was just how many people are recreating the ritual at home.

High-design breakfast nooks, complete with banquette seating, have become increasingly ubiquitous – Swedish textile designer Cathy Nordström's being a prime aspirational example – letting people experience the cozy bliss of ‘playing diner’ every morning with their families.

I always assumed this kind of setup meant built-ins. And to be fair, it often does. But during a recent Target scroll, I stumbled across a slipcovered dining banquette – currently on sale – that comes in not one, not two, but twelve printed cover options, all of which feel like they could belong in any number of chic Instagram kitchens (Cathy’s included).

It keeps the retro, real-deal diner charm, though, with a cushy seat and sleek, armless design that invites you to slide right in from the side – ideally by a window, preferably with a view. At 57 inches wide, it’s small enough for small kitchens, but still comfortably seats two to three adults.

As for dining table pairings, reviewers suggest that round is the way to go. ‘It can be a challenge to get in and out if you have it paired with a rectangular table like I do,’ one notes. ‘I’m planning to switch out my table to a smaller circle table. I think that will make it much easier to get in and out.’

And of course, the beauty of a slipcover is that it’s removable. Not that you’ll want to with patterns this good, but life happens – pets, children, pancake syrup – and occasionally, you’re going to want to launder it, like you would a pair of pants. ‘I’m considering ordering another slipcover in a different color/pattern,’ the same reviewer noted. Assembly is minimal, too: ‘It came well packaged and took about 30 minutes to put together the two bench pieces and two adjustable legs.’

Right now, both sizes of the Jean banquettes are marked down by over $100, which feels wildly unseasonal for something this stylish. Guests might just ask if this dining furniture idea is custom. Upholstered locally? A surprise kitchen reno? Target's review photos suggest otherwise – this is a high-impact, low-lift hack to build your very own eat-in nook without wrecking your budget.

And if you want to take the setup further, I’ve found a few equally elegant slipcovered dining chairs (also on sale) that will let you keep the pattern party going.

Target’s Jean Slipcovered Dining Banquette is a natural fit for tight kitchens, but if you’re working with a particularly long, galley-style layout, you might need to get a bit more strategic. These ten expert-approved narrow kitchen ideas will help you make the most of every inch.