Whether you have an open-plan kitchen-diner or a dedicated dining room, comfortable and stylish seating can create an environment for laughter-filled conversations and happy memories around the dining table. Without it, family members might scatter to more comfortable spots like the sofa after dinner.
A dining bench can be both a stylish and practical addition to the heart of your home. Before choosing one for your dining table, consider your specific needs. For young families, a wooden bench like our Traditional Farmhouse Bench offers a wipeable surface and comfortably seats several children. For households that regularly host senior guests, a dining bench with a backrest—such as our Anna Loveseat Bench—provides ideal support.
Several key factors come into play when selecting the perfect dining bench: size, colour, and design. These elements affect both style and functionality. This ultimate guide will help you make an informed choice so that you'll enjoy your dining bench for years to come.
Choosing Between a Traditional Bench and One with a Backrest
The right choice of dining bench depends on the needs of your family members and the aesthetic you are trying to either introduce or retain.
Traditional Benches
Pictured: Traditional Farmhouse Pine Bench
In countryside interiors, a traditional farmhouse bench blends a sense of togetherness and warmth, seamlessly blending into the existing interior. With the absence of a backrest, a traditional bench caters well to younger families with children. Their small stature makes it easy for them to hop on and off, and the lack of a backrest encourages good posture during mealtimes. Additionally, traditional benches can be tucked completely under the table when not in use, creating a clean and uncluttered look that's particularly beneficial in smaller spaces.
Benches With Backrests
Pictured: Our Anna Wooden Loveseat Bench
On the contrary, benches with a backrest help fill tall rooms, like ones you'll find in Victorian homes. Dining benches with a backrest also help support ones more senior family members and guests by providing additional, sturdy support. Two-seater benches like our Anna Loveseat Bench are also stylish additions, pairing well with our wooden dining tables and creating an inviting atmosphere.
When selecting a bench with a backrest, consider the height in relation to your dining table. The seat height should allow comfortable dining, while the backrest should provide adequate support without being too tall or overwhelming. Our loveseat benches are designed with these ergonomic principles in mind, ensuring both comfort and style.
Sizing Your Dining Bench
A question that we frequently get asked is "Which size bench should I choose for my dining table?" To answer this question, we guide our customers through a couple of considerations.
If you want your bench to tuck under the table
Then we recommend a dining bench that is about 1 foot shorter than the dining table. This rule of thumb tends to work with most tables and benches when they are purchased from the same company; however, if you're mixing furniture brands in your dining area and want your bench to tuck underneath the table neatly, then measure the distance between the legs of the dining table to be sure.
For example, if your dining table is 180cm long and the distance between the table legs is 150cm, you'll want to choose a bench that's around 140cm in length to ensure it can be neatly tucked away. This provides enough clearance while maintaining proportional aesthetics.
If you want your bench to sit alongside the table
When placing your bench alongside the table, you have more flexibility with sizing. The bench can be the same length as your table, or even slightly longer, as it doesn't need to tuck underneath. However, we still recommend leaving about 5-10cm of space on either end of the bench for easy access and a balanced look.
The best dining benches: our experts' pick of the crop
The humble dining bench can do wonders for your dining area, adding interest, height and individuality.
Bobbin Dining Bench
Pictured: Bobbin Dining Bench
A bobbin bench features the ornate 17th-century decorative technique. The style, which came from our American friends over the pond, is a timeless design that adds a playful charm to your interior. It looks beautiful painted, that's why we offer ours in a choice of 16 Farrow & Ball colours. A matching Bobbin Dining Table is also available in our shop.
Farmhouse Bench
Pictured: Traditional Farmhouse Dining Bench, Pine
This classic British design is elegant and timeless. Inspired by the British countryside, this simple design works well in a variety of interiors—from contemporary homes to cottages and traditional farmhouses. Our Farmhouse Bench is crafted from solid oak or pine, featuring clean lines and a robust construction that will stand the test of time. The bench's versatile design means it pairs beautifully with both painted and natural wood dining tables, making it a reliable choice for those seeking to create a cohesive dining space. A matching Farmhouse Dining Table is also available in our shop.
Wooden Loveseat
A loveseat is designed to bring pairs closer together, sparking feelings of closeness and intimacy. While loveseats are typically upholstered for lounging, using organic materials like wood creates a striking, versatile piece that works beautifully in various settings—from dining tables to hallways to sitting rooms.
Drawing inspiration from Scandinavian design, we crafted our two-seater Anna bench with a streamlined, urban edge that keeps it feeling lightweight and airy in any home.
For more tips on how to style a wooden loveseat, take a look at our expert guide to ‘5 Ways To Style A Wooden Loveseat Bench Featuring Our Anna Bench’
Pictured: Anna loveseat bench