A few fresh ideas can make standard look extraordinary. May we interest you in some new ways to style benches in your home?

ENTRANCE
Whether you have kids who do not travel light or little ones of the furry kind, having a bench at the entrance of your home can be handy. Jackets, hats and shopping bags can proudly hang above it while school bags are kept ready at the door for the morning rush. If that’s not a necessity, a bench stacked with your favourite magazines and an over-sized vase with dried florals next to it and a throw is a grand welcome as you step through the door.

BATHROOM
A simple bench, sealed of course, can be a stylish way to store your shower necessities if you have a spa-like setup. They also serve well as exposed storage by displaying your skin regime or simply as a perch from which to chat to the partner while they’re brushing their teeth.
Or is it just us that finds this handy?

KITCHEN OR DINING
As styles and customs evolved, the dining table started being used for special occasions only. Enter the breakfast nook. This space is still popular as a more informal area for families to grab breakfast before starting the day, or is used as the main dining table now that modern-urban spaces are becoming smaller. And as apartments downsize, people have started looking for nifty space-saving hacks. Using benches, upholstered or padded with cushions, as dining chairs is the perfect solution as they are easily stored under the table when not in use.

BEDROOM
The bed bench was quite popular in royal 18th century bedrooms, and that luxe style has filtered down to modern spaces as a sign of opulence and sophistication. Otherwise, they’re just perfect for kicking off your shoes at the end of the day. Choosing a bench to place at the foot of your bed can be trickier than one would think. Start by finding something that either matches the texture and/or colour of you bedroom palette or completely contrasts it.

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