Make space for comfort and convenience with a well-placed bench. Whether by the door or at the foot of the bed, a bench provides a quick spot to sit while getting ready. You can use a dining bench to create a cozy ambience for casual meals or an entryway bench to store your favorite seasonal items. Continue reading below to find which bench designs are best for your home with helpful tips for choosing the right bench sizes and styles.

Jump ahead to the information you need most:

Types of Benches
Materials
Features
Storage Types
Bench Sizes

Bench Designs

There are a few aspects that make up bench design, including type, storage type, material, and features.

Types of Benches

The ideal bench adds versatility with comfortable seating and storage. With five main types of benches – entryway, bedroom, dining, storage, and outdoor – a bench can be a great addition to any room.

Entryway Bench: One of the most common bench types is an entryway bench. These bench designs are ideal for putting on shoes and keeping essentials near the door. We recommend placing baskets near the bench for extra storage. Change these out seasonally when you're ready to swap sunglasses for warm knitted hats. Choose a bench with durable qualities, such as an upholstered seat or solid wood construction, for a piece that is made to last.

Bedroom Bench: Whether you're getting ready for the day or winding down before bed, bedroom benches are a practical addition to any bedroom. Bedroom bench designs provide a versatile space to set folded laundry or sit while getting ready. Flip-top benches are great for storing extra blankets and pillows. Opt for a tufted bench to add an inviting touch to the end of your bed or near a bright window. For a cohesive look, choose upholstered fabric that coordinates with the color of the bedding.

Dining Bench: One of our favorite types of benches is a dining bench. Dining benches are best for casual dining rooms or outdoor dining spaces. They are great for flexible seating – or accommodating last-minute guests. Look for features, such as seat backs or arms, that will keep guests comfortable during long meals or after-dinner conversations. To style dining benches, place two benches on the long sides of a dining table or incorporate a single dining bench in with a set of dining chairs. This sets up a laid-back dining space that is ideal for gathering with loved ones.

Storage Bench: With plenty of space to tuck items away, storage benches are a great option for entryways or living rooms. Storage bench designs are built for conveniently stashing items, such as extra throw blankets or winter accessories. Choose a storage bench with drawers or a flip-top opening to store items out of sight or opt for an open shelf design with a few baskets to hold any small accessories.

Materials

Wood: We love the classic look and feel of solid wood benches. Made with high-quality wood, such as acacia or reclaimed birch, solid wood benches are made to withstand everyday wear and last a long time. Solid wood can be fairly low maintenance and requires only regular dusting and wiping pieces down with a soft microfiber cloth. Wood benches should be cleaned with warm, soapy water when needed.

Upholstered: Upholstered benches are plush and inviting. When shopping for an upholstered bench, look for versatile materials, such as leather, linen, cotton, or polyester. We recommend choosing an upholstered bench for any space that might need a touch of comfort, such as a bedroom or dining room.

Solid & Manufactured Wood: Types of benches made with solid and manufactured wood replicate the look and feel of a solid wood piece with manufactured wood used in less visible areas of the bench, such as the back panels. Like solid wood, benches made with solid and manufactured wood are easy to care for and bring a natural element to your home.

Wicker: Wicker is an incredibly durable material that is often used to add natural texture. We love the craftsmanship and comfort that wicker pieces provide. Read our guide What Is Wicker? to learn more about wicker and how to care for it.

Features

Cushioned Benches: Cushioned benches add softness and character to a space. These types of benches are designed for comfort, making them a great addition to any area. Put a cushioned storage bench near the door for tying shoes or use dining benches with cushions for casual dinner parties that linger late into the night.

Benches With Backs: Benches with backs provide comfortable seating and create visual interest. Choose a bench with a classic spindle-style back to add a touch of nostalgia-inspired style, or opt for a whitewashed slat-back bench for a laid-back coastal look.

Benches With Arms: Benches with arms bring some structure to the space. Place a bench with arms in the entryway as a simple statement piece or add one to the living room for a cozy spot to read a book.

Storage Types

Flip-Top Benches: Flip-top benches are incredibly versatile. We like using flip-top benches for stowing bulky items, such as blankets, pillows, or cold-weather gear.

Benches With Drawers: Benches with drawers are best for living rooms or bedrooms with easily accessible storage that keeps board games or tech accessories organized.

Benches With Shelves: Benches with shelves are ideal for entryways. With open storage, shelf-style benches are great for accessing shoes or accessories while heading out the door.

Bench Sizes

Bench designs come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Since benches are often in small areas, such as entryways or nooks, it's important to measure the space first to find the correct bench size.

Bench Width

After measuring the width of the space, there are a few considerations when shopping for different types of benches. Entryway and storage benches should be measured to fit the space, while bedroom and dining benches are dependent on the size of other furniture pieces. Bedroom benches should be at least 12" shorter than the foot of the bed to keep 6" of space on each side of the bench. For dining benches, opt for a bench that can fit between the legs of the table so that it can be tucked beneath the table when not being used.

Bench Height

Benches should be at a height that allows you to sit comfortably while putting on shoes or entertaining guests. Similar to width measurements, the height of bedroom and dining benches should be based on the height of a dining table or bed frame. Dining benches should be tall enough to leave at least 12" between the top of the bench and bottom of the dining table. Bedroom benches should be at least 3" shorter than the foot of the bed.

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