When you mention benches, most people conjure up images of plain hard wood seating, for example, picnic and park benches. However, there is a world of benches that many have never seen or imagined. There are backless benches, padded and upholstered ones, wooden ones with painted images, and some with under-the-seat storage. Any of these make for interesting, attractive dining room seating.
Using Benches in the Dining Room
Some people think that benches are too casual for a formal dining room, but they can, with the proper design mix, make a beautiful, inviting table. There is also some debate about whether you should use only one bench on one side, with chairs on the opposite side, or a bench on both sides. Whichever you prefer, place host and hostess chairs at the ends.
Benches in a Small Space
A perfect upholstered bench for a small dining room
If you have a small dining room, use a bench to free up seating space for more guests. The fact is that you can seat almost twice as many guests on a bench than you can with chairs. Benches can easily do double duty as extra seating in your living area. A useful idea is to build in a bench, with a cushion on top and storage space underneath, on one wall of your dining room.
Banquettes in the Dining Room
Banquette seating in a fine restaurant or your home
If you've ever dined at an upscale restaurant and been seated along the wall, then you know what a banquette is. For those of you who haven't, a banquette is an upholstered bench with a back that is against a wall. You can make it as simple or as luxurious as you wish by using different fabrics that match or complement your chairs.
Wooden Benches
Wooden benches can be as simple and casual or as ornate and formal as your dining room table. If you cannot match the style of your table legs with the bench's, have a bench custom made. Sometimes a very plain bench, such as a Parsons, mixes very well with more elaborate furniture styles. Try to either blend or match the finishes or paint the wood to accent your total look.
Tags: dining room, dining room, bench with, small dining, small dining room, upholstered bench