Buy a bench – a selection for the dining room, hallway and living area
A bench brings comfort and structure to many living spaces, from the dining room to the hallway and the kitchen. At Möbel Ehrmann, you’ll find a wide selection of benches in various materials, upholstery options and sizes – to suit both classic and modern interior styles. Our interior design consultants are on hand to help you find the perfect model, both online and in our furniture stores in the Palatinate, Baden and Trier.
Which bench suits your home?
Choosing the right bench depends on several factors: the room it’s to be placed in, how often it will be used, the available space and, of course, your personal interior design style. While a dining bench is primarily designed for long, comfortable seating during meals, a hallway bench often serves as a place to sit briefly while putting on or taking off shoes—frequently combined with storage space for shoes, bags or blankets.
When making your choice, consider the dimensions of the room, the number of people who will regularly be sitting there, and whether you prefer a bench with or without a backrest. If you’ll be sitting for longer periods – such as during family meals or a cosy evening with guests – you should opt for a bench with a backrest or a high-back bench. For short periods of sitting in the hallway or entrance area, a simpler version without a backrest is often sufficient.
An overview of materials and craftsmanship
The material not only defines the appearance of a bench, but also its feel, durability and ease of care. In our range, you’ll find benches made from solid wood, upholstered models, versions with metal frames, as well as hybrid designs that combine different materials.
Solid wood bench
A solid wood bench is the ideal choice if you appreciate natural materials and visible grain. Oak, beech, heartwood beech, wild oak and walnut are among the most commonly used types of wood. Solid wood has a warm feel, is robust and, with proper care, can last for several decades. An oiled finish allows you to feel the natural texture of the wood, whilst varnished versions are less susceptible to stains. If you want to check the quality of the material, there’s a simple way to do so: gently press your fingernail against an inconspicuous area, as solid wood gives way less than coated chipboard.
Upholstered bench and padded bench
An upholstered bench can be a good choice if seating comfort is your priority. Fabric upholstery looks soft and inviting, whilst leather or faux leather upholstery is easier to clean and suits modern, minimalist interior styles well. With upholstered models, it’s worth checking the thickness of the upholstery, the spring or foam core, and the abrasion resistance of the cover fabric. These factors indicate how well a bench will cope with everyday use in a household with several people.
Combinations of wood and metal
Benches with metal frames and wooden seats combine industrial charm with the warm look of wood. This hybrid design is ideal for modern dining rooms, open-plan kitchens or loft-style spaces. Powder-coated metal frames are scratch-resistant, whilst a wooden seat made from oak or acacia ensures a comfortable seating experience.
Benches for every room
Benches are much more than just a practical piece of furniture: they define the layout of a room, provide seating for several people and take up less space than individual chairs. Depending on the room, different functions take centre stage.
Dining room benches and kitchen benches
In the dining room, a bench placed along a wall or opposite chairs creates a more convivial atmosphere. A dining room bench offers greater flexibility than individual chairs – when moved closer together, it can seat several people, and children can sit comfortably side by side. The ideal seat height is typically around 46 to 50 centimetres, designed to match a table height of approximately 75 centimetres. Also bear in mind the width of the bench: a bench should be at least as long as the side of the table it is placed against, so that all seats can be used equally. In the kitchen too – for example, around a dining table or in a breakfast nook – a kitchen bench can make better use of the space. If you’re planning an open-plan kitchen-diner, you can discuss this straight away with our advisers in the Kitchen World, as the bench, table and kitchen units should be harmoniously coordinated.
Bench for the hallway
In the entrance hall, a hallway bench provides a place to sit whilst putting on or taking off your shoes. Models with built-in storage space can hold shoes, bags, umbrellas or blankets, helping to keep the hallway tidy. Compact benches measuring between 80 and 120 centimetres in length fit even into narrow hallways, whilst wider versions serve as statement pieces and can be combined with coat racks.
Living rooms and multifunctional areas
In the living room, a bench can serve as extra seating, as an ottoman by the coffee table, or as a window seat. Placed under a window sill, it also creates a peaceful spot for reading or relaxing. If you’re looking for flexible seating options and want to compare different choices, you’ll find further furniture ideas for relaxed living spaces in our Sofas and Armchairs as well as Lounge Furniture sections.
Sizes, dimensions and seating comfort
The dimensions of a bench play a key role in determining how comfortable it is and how suitable it is for everyday use. The seat depth for dining room and kitchen benches is usually between 38 and 45 centimetres, which allows for an upright, comfortable sitting position. Lounge benches and upholstered living room benches often have a seat depth of 50 to 60 centimetres, allowing you to lean back and relax. Seat height ranges from 42 centimetres for living room benches to 50 centimetres for classic dining room benches.
The length is also crucial: you should allow for a seat width of around 55 to 60 centimetres per person. A 160-centimetre-long bench therefore comfortably seats two to three people, whilst a 200-centimetre-long bench seats three to four people. If you’re planning to place a bench in a dining area, you should allow sufficient space behind the seat – around 70 centimetres – so that people can stand up and walk past without any difficulty.
Bench with or without a backrest
Whether a bench has a backrest or not plays a key role in defining the character of the piece of furniture. A model without a backrest looks more open, can be used from both sides and can also serve as additional storage space if required. It is well suited to rooms where an unobstructed view is desired, for example as a room divider between the living and dining areas or in front of a large window. A bench with a backrest, on the other hand, supports the back during prolonged sitting and is well suited to traditional seating arrangements at the dining table. Models with upholstered backrests further enhance seating comfort, whilst ergonomically shaped wooden backrests provide stable support. In corner bench sets, both variants can be combined, allowing you to enjoy the comfort of backrests on two sides and the open seating on one side.
Care and durability
To ensure you enjoy your bench for many years to come, the material should be looked after regularly and with care. Solid wood benches benefit from occasional re-oiling, which renews the natural protective layer. Upholstered covers can be wiped down with a lint-free cloth and mild cleaning products; removable covers can often be washed at low temperatures. Leather benches should be treated with a leather care product once or twice a year to keep the material supple. Where possible, you should minimise exposure to direct sunlight and heat from radiators, as extreme temperature fluctuations and UV radiation can dry out the wood and cause upholstery to fade.
Personal advice at Möbel Ehrmann
As a family-run business with over 30 years’ experience, we place great importance on providing personalised, advisory support. Our interior design consultants take the time to work with you to find the right bench – from the material and dimensions right through to ensuring it complements your existing furniture. Assembly and delivery are handled by our own fitting teams, without the need for external contractors. Anyone wishing to find inspiration in person is warmly invited to visit one of our showrooms. You can find an overview of all our furniture stores on our location page, and an overview of our wide-ranging portfolio of well-known manufacturers on the Brands page. Be inspired and discover your new bench at Möbel Ehrmann.