Home Home Design & Decor Add One of These Benches to Any Room for an Instant Style Upgrade By Hannah Baker Published on February 6, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs Looking for a way to add extra seating to your home, or an easy way to dress up an outdoor space? Add a bench. You'll find that these multi-purpose pieces are the solution to just about every "missing something" design moment. Case in point: Whether you're searching for a convenient place to sit while you put on shoes, or a way to fill in the space at the edge of your bed, a hardworking bench is the answer. And when it comes to adding a bench to the living room? Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25 says to go for a smaller, coordinating piece, which will infuse a dash of charm to the area. "Upholstered pieces in a complementing pattern add an elegant touch to the design of your living room," notes the Dallas-based designer. "And choosing a more petite size means you can easily keep it under a console table until it's needed." Jade Joyner of design firm Metal + Petal says that taking a room-by-room approach when sourcing your bench is the best-possible method to finding one that has both good form and function. "Does it need to have a back or an upholstered seat? Should it add a pop of color to the room? Details like style and material all need to be factored in when deciding on the perfect bench to elevate and complement your space," she explains. Keep her advice in mind especially when shopping for an outdoor option—but for Ashley Moore of Moore House Interiors, exterior benches are a fun way to add a vintage piece to your home. "Old church pews are my favorite. You can find them at antique stores, flea markets, or even Facebook Marketplace," she says. "Vintage pieces like these can hold their own and don't necessarily need decoration, though a couple seasonal pillows adds a lively touch." Ready to find the perfect bench (or benches!) for your home? Here are our current favorites—which you can buy right now. 01 of 10 Woven Courtesy of Wayfair Add this woven bench to your front hall or entryway for an understated touch of texture. The neutral colorway makes it easy to mix with any and every throw pillow—which means it's worth the splurge. Shop Now: Mistana "Emmaline" Leather Bench, $629.99, wayfair.com. How to Arrange a Living Room 02 of 10 Mixed Materials Courtesy of CB2 Bolsters on a bench? Sign us up. This leather and metal piece features channel pleating, a style that dates back to the 1950s. When your houseguests ask which antique market you found this gem at, just smile and nod. Shop Now: CB2 "Luxey" Tufted Faux Mohair Bench, $599, cb2.com. A Guide to Shopping at the Flea Market 03 of 10 Modern Wood Courtesy of World Market Made of Indonesian saur wood, this organically-shaped bench has a modern simplicity—it doesn't need any bells or whistles. Use it as a standalone piece for stacks of books or as extra seating at your next dinner party. Shop Now: Live Edge Sansur Dining Bench, $399.99, worldmarket.com. 04 of 10 Updated Deco Courtesy of West Elm Plush gray velvet upholstery and a clean-lined metal frame make this bench a fancy addition to the end of your bed. Shop Now: West Elm "Fantanne" Bench, $399, westelm.com. 14 Little Things You Can Do to Beautify Your Bedroom 05 of 10 Chic and Simple Courtesy of Urban Outfitters If velvet and brass don't speak to your home's aesthetic, opt for a simple wooden bench with a woven seat, like this one. It makes for the perfect shoe station and adds a little more organization and structure to your entryway or mudroom. Shop Now: Urban Outfitters Woven Bench, $179, urbanoutfitters.com. 06 of 10 Outdoor Seating Courtesy of AllModern Angular and modern, this pine piece comes in 21 colorways and is outdoor friendly (it would look great on your patio or porch). We like this natural shade, but the berry or sage options offer a fun punch of color. Shop Now: AllModern "Degraw" Bench, $194.99, allmodern.com. Easy Ways to Transform Your Front Porch 07 of 10 Classic Elegance Courtesy of Pottery Barn Turned legs and a timeless silhouette make this sturdy bench a family-friendly option (the water resistant finish doesn't hurt, either). Shop Now: Pottery Barn "Parkmore" Reclaimed Bench, $719, potterybarn.com. 08 of 10 Mid-Century Charm Courtesy of Anthropologie Modeled after Brazilian lounge furniture, this leather and wood bench comes in seven hues (we're partial to the blush) and has upholstered arms that buckle on the sides. Shop Now: Anthropologie "Rhys" Bench, $2,798, anthropologie.com. Home Tour: A Midcentury-Modern House in Los Angeles 09 of 10 Farmhouse Teak Courtesy of Terrain This teak bench is constructed using classic trestle legs (the style you see on sawhorses) and has a silvery finish that gives it a weathered, worn look (in the best way). It's perfect for indoors or outdoors—or both! Shop Now: Terrain Protected Teak Trestle Bench, from $78, shopterrain.com. 10 of 10 Bold Color Courtesy of Article Mid-century modern furniture connoisseurs will gravitate towards this plush bench—as will color lovers (the emerald hue is a classic). Shop Now: Article "Ansa" Bench, $549, article.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit