Ideal Benches to Pair with Kitchen Tables
A kitchen table is the heart of a home. It's where families gather to share meals, celebrate milestones, and enjoy quality time together. While chairs are the most common seating option, benches offer enticing benefits that make them a stylish and functional alternative worth considering.
Benches maximize corner nooks in kitchens and dining rooms, provide additional seating in compact spaces, and add versatility to your decor. Let's explore why benches beautifully complement kitchen tables and how to select the right size, style, and placement to create an inviting space for dining and entertaining.
Benefits of Benches for Kitchen Tables
From cozy breakfast nooks to sprawling kitchens designed for feasts, benches offer unique advantages:
- Maximize Corner Space: Corner benches optimize unused nooks and allow you to seat more people without taking up ample floor space.
- Provide Additional Seating: Benches are ideal for smaller kitchens and apartments, giving you extra seating capacity compared to chairs.
- Save Space When Not in Use: Some bench styles fold up neatly out of the way when not needed.
- Add Variety: Mixing benches and chairs creates visual interest, and you can use benches with all decor styles from rustic to modern.
- Offer a Complete Dining Experience: Pair a bench on one side of the table with chairs on the other for the best of both worlds.
Whether you opt for a built-in or freestanding design, benches provide stylish and practical seating. Built-in benches exude casual elegance while movable options allow you to reconfigure your layout anytime.
Materials for Kitchen Benches
Kitchen benches come in an array of materials to match your personal style and space:
Wood: From oak to pine, wood offers a warm, natural aesthetic. Opt for lighter finishes to keep the space airy. Consider your lifestyle, as wood requires more maintenance and can be prone to scratches and water marks. Metal: Iron, steel, and aluminum provide industrial flair. Metal is easy to clean and adds modern appeal, though the materials can feel cold. Powder-coated metal resists scratches and wears well. Upholstered: For plush comfort, upholstered benches feature padded cushions and removeable fabric covers. Tufted designs create an elegant focal point. Remember professional cleaning is needed to keep upholstery pristine. Wicker: Natural wicker made from renewable rattan or banana leaves brings breezy, laidback style. Synthetic wicker replicates the look while withstanding weather better. Wicker works well outdoors but may lack support during lengthy dining.Styles of Benches for Kitchen Tables
From built-in banquettes to movable freestanding benches, consider the look you want to achieve:
Freestanding: Freestanding benches provide flexibility, as they can be shifted around without installation. Caster wheels enable you to easily slide them in and out. Built-In: Custom built-in benches maximize your space by fitting seamlessly into corners. Size them to follow the contours of your kitchen or dining area. With or Without Backs: Backless styles have a simple, minimalist look and make access in and out easier. Benches with backs offer ample comfort and support for lingering meals. With or Without Arms: Armless benches have cleaner sightlines. Styles with arms provide a welcoming spot to relax and extra support when getting up. Arms can also hold drinks. Storage Benches: Opt for a storage bench to stow extra seating, tableware, linens, or kitchen essentials while adding seating capacity. Look for flip-top, slide-out, or drawer storage.Selecting the Right Size
A properly sized bench enhances your table's functionality and proportions. When selecting a bench, mind these key measurements:
- Table Length: Benches around 75-85% the length of your table provide legroom and easy access.
- Table Width: Allow ample clearance from the table edge so bench seats don't feel cramped.
- Number of Seaters: Factor in if you need seating for two, four, or a larger group.
- Leg Room: Leave 16-20 inches between the bench and table for comfortable leg clearance.
- Overhang: Account for overhang to ensure the bench doesn't obstruct walkways when pulled out from the table.
An extendable bench offers flexibility for both small and large gatherings. You can also use two smaller benches on either side of a table to allow more individual seating arrangements.
Placement and Arrangement
The placement of your bench impacts aesthetics and functionality:
Corner Nooks: Tucked into corners, benches optimize tight floorplans. Angled corner benches save space while creating cozy spots for morning coffee. Straight Benches: A straight bench centered on the long side of a rectangular table suits most dining rooms. Floating benches not attached to walls work well with round tables. Curved Benches: Gracefully curved benches complement round, oval, and elliptical tables. Circular benches encourage lively conversation when you can see everyone's faces. End of Table: An end bench placed perpendicular to the table only seats on one side, preventing it from obstructing walkways. Movable Benches: Freestanding benches provide flexibility to rearrange seating or create defined spaces for dining, working, or lounging.Complementary Decor
Tie together your kitchen or dining room decor by coordinating the bench style with the table. Here are design tips for a cohesive, polished look:
- Match the Finish: Opt for similar or complementary wood finishes on both the table and bench.
- Echo Materials: Pick up design details like metal legs or inlays on both pieces.
- Align Color Palettes: Coordinate your upholstery hues with existing kitchen color schemes.
- Add Visual Interest: Incorporate contrasting textures, patterns, or graining to prevent a matchy-matchy vibe.
- Accessorize: Layer on throw pillows, blankets, placemats, or centerpieces to tie the look together.
- Incorporate Lighting: Pendant lights or sconces illuminate dining spaces and create ambiance.
The right accessories and lighting provide the finishing touches that make your kitchen table and bench seating an inviting gathering spot.
DIY vs. Custom Bench Considerations
Are your carpentry skills up for a DIY bench project or is custom the way to go? Assess these factors:
- Skill Level: DIY projects require proficiency with woodwork and tools. If you're less experienced, custom is best.
- Customization: Work with designers to customize built-in benches perfectly sized for your space and style.
- Costs: DIY is cheaper but requires purchasing all materials upfront and owning tools.
- Installation: Professional installation ensures your built-in bench is safely secured and level.
For a quality bench that will last for years, sometimes it's worth investing in custom bench seating designed for your unique kitchen layout.
Top Brands for Quality Benches
Trusted brands like these offer stellar style, construction, and comfort in their versatile bench designs:
- Anthropologie: Whimsical and feminine bench silhouettes that make a statement.
- Crate & Barrel: A mix of modern, rustic, and retro bench aesthetics.
- Restoration Hardware: Heirloom quality benches in ornate styles.
- Pottery Barn: Rustic chic benches in weathered finishes.
- West Elm: Midcentury and industrial modern bench options.
- Ikea: Affordable, minimalist styles ideal for small spaces.
Scope out designer showrooms or search online galleries to find high-quality benches to match your decor.
Costs and Budgeting
You can find a kitchen bench for almost any budget. Here are typical price ranges:
- Entry-Level: $150 to $300 for no-frills, basic designs.
- Mid-Range: $350 to $700 for most standard bench styles and materials.
- High-End: $800 to $2000+ for premium materials like exotic hardwoods or custom built-ins.
Consider longevity and durability when budgeting. A higher price tag comes with better craftsmanship and longevity. If opting for a lower priced bench, look for solid wood over particle board construction.
Maintaining and Caring for Benches
With routine care, your wood or upholstered bench will stay looking its best for years of breakfasts and casual dinners:
- Dust and wipe spills promptly using a soft cloth and mild cleaner.
- Condition wood benches annually with polishing oils or waxes to nourish finishes.
- Spot clean upholstered benches and cushion covers as needed.
- Avoid placing benches in direct sunlight or heat which can fade and damage materials.
- Check hardware like legs and arms periodically to tighten any loosening over time.
Rotate cushions to evenly distribute wear and reshape wavy foam filling as needed. Always blot spills rather than rubbing, which can set in stains.
Kitchen tables paired with complementary benches create warm, welcoming spaces for daily dining and entertaining guests. Corner benches maximize seating capacity without crowding the room. Movable bench styles allow you to reconfigure your layout as needed. Built-in benches lined with plush cushions provide relaxed sophistication. Whatever your style, a thoughtfully selected bench complements your decor while providing flexible, comfortable seating.