Dining Benches : Yay or Nay ?
Are you in the process of choosing furniture for your dining room ? If you are, then chances are, you may have considered whether a table with dining benches is a good option for you. A dining bench can be an excellent way of updating the look and feel of your dining space. Whether you have cosy breakfast nook to furnish or a grand dining hall, there are many bench seating options to choose from to create the look you want.
The Advantages of Dining Benches
1. Seating Capacity :
This is, of course, one of the key benefits – you can squeeze more around the table if you want to. If you like to entertain, or have a large family, this is the ideal scenario. Benches great for gatherings where extra seating is required. Whereas chairs are limited to one person each, a bench seat can hold several people.
The Contemporary Refectory Table on the right is shown with two Zen Dining Benches, one with a back and one without.
2. Space Saving : 
A kitchen bench will take up less room than a dining chair. If you have a cosy corner to fit a dining table in and you are short on space, then a banquette style bench could be the answer. There’ll be no need to pull out chairs, just slide in on the bench and use dining chairs on the remaining side. Opt for a dining table with a pedestal leg to allow easy access.
Image: Corner dining nook with wooden simple wooden benches. Image source : Pinterest
3. A relaxed feel :
On top of being super stylish, dining benches can also help to set the particular vibe of your dining room. Along with being more laid back benches can make the your kitchen space look more inviting and informal.
Image: Our Contemporary Refectory Table is shown here with a Zen dining bench and spindle back chairs
4. Better Interaction
People can sit closer and feel more connected to one another when sitting on a bench. Bench seating therefore promotes communication and intimacy and provides a cozier atmosphere for socializing.
Check out our blog A Table for Banquette Seating
Image : Corner bench seating creates a cosy feel.
Source : Pinterest
5. Opens up your kitchen space :
Because of it’s minimalist design a bench seating will help reduce the visual clutter in your dining room. The whole room will feel cleaner, neater and more inviting as a result. Scandinavian style tables with benches have this look off to a T!
Image: A Chiswick Zen Dining Bench and Chiswick DiningTable
6. A design feature :
A bench seat can also make a great item of décor in your house. If you have an upholstered bench, choose fabrics that look stylish and elegant. On an un-upholstered bench use cushions and throws to add pops of colour and texture. This will significantly enhance the look of your dining room. You can even use your bench elsewhere in the house to make a feature all by itself under. A cosy window seat or as a feature in the hallway.
Image: one of our Zen Dining Benches in the @lovetearsandteepees kitchen on Jersey
7. A variety of options :
There is no single norm or style when it comes to bench seats. Your kitchen bench can come in a variety of styles and shapes. You can opt for a dining bench with back, without back, upholstered, with storage underneath, built in, corner seating, curved, to fit under your table when not in use. Your choice is not limited to a flat and straight bench.
Image : Dining Table and Bench with Curved Legs
8. An open view :
If your dining space is small then choose a table and bench set with no back; this will make a small space feel bigger and less interrupted. This is particularly useful if you have a gorgeous view you want to make the most of.
Image: Two Zen Benches sit each side of the dining table allowing easy access to the garden. A photo kindly supplied by a customer in Worcestershire
9. Benches are cost effective :
The price of one bench can be less expensive than several dining chairs in the same space. You get extra seating capacity, and versatility in a single item so it can be a much more cost-effective option.
Image: A Oak Dining Bench shown together with our Bespoke Dining Table
What Size Dining Bench do I need ?
Beyond style the most important thing to work out before buying a bench is to work out what dimensions you will need:
- Length – if you want your bench to slide in between the legs of your table, be sure to leave a 5 to 10 cm gap. If you have plenty of room and want to get the maximum seating capacity out of your bench, go the whole length of your table.
- height – your bench should be the same height as any chairs you’ll be using. Average heights range from 45 cm to 50 cm, so be sure to check the height is right for your table. Remember if you plan to use cushions, these can add height too.
- width – a bench that is too narrow can be uncomfortable, so make sure you choose one with plenty of width to accommodate the average derrière!
Dining Benches Handmade to Order
Some of dining benches are made specifically to match the designs of our dining room tables. But all can be happily matched with any design. Do you a need an oak dining bench made to specific dimensions? Why not give us a call on + 33 (0) 2 43 09 63 70 or email us at info@makersbespokefurniture.com to discuss your ideas. We will be delighted to hear from you.
OAK DINING BENCHES
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