Did you know that the average person takes just 7 seconds to form a first impression? Research conducted at the Institute for Environmental Psychology shows that inviting, impressive entryways can boost value, improve saleability, and bring joy. Entryway benches offer a simple, stylish solution for homeowners looking to set the tone from the outset. If you’re eager to create stunning interiors, adding an eye-catching seat is an easy way to add instant appeal.
This guide is designed to help you maximize results with simple, impactful entryway bench styling ideas.
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Popular Types of Entryway Benches
There are all kinds of entryway benches to choose from, with size, style, color, and finish options to suit every homeowner’s requirements and style of property. Popular types of foyer benches include:
- Backless benches
- Storage benches with cabinets
- Shoe storage benches
- Open storage benches
- Benches with shelves
- Upholstered entryway benches
- Flip-top/Ottoman benches
The table below contains useful hints to help you find the best entryway bench for your home:
Type of entryway bench | Best for |
Backless bench | Design touches, extra seating |
Bench with storage cabinet | Hidden storage |
Shoe storage bench | Tidy shoe storage & homeowners with outdoor hobbies |
Open storage bench | Storing books, toys, shoes and outdoor equipment |
Bench with shelves | Storing shoes, displaying accessories |
Upholstered bench | Adding aesthetic appeal and interest, enhancing comfort |
Flip-top/Ottoman bench | Hidden storage and quick & easy tidying |
Entryway Bench Styling Ideas
Entryway benches are versatile and functional, but they can also transform the look of a space instantly. If you’re anything like me, you may have neglected your hallway. Foyers are often forgotten-about areas that come far down the list of interior design project priorities, but this, I have now realized, is an oversight. The entrance to your home is one of the first things you’ll see when you come home from a busy day at work, and the first glimpse of your nest guests will enjoy when visiting.
Previous experiences (and scientific research) show that something as simple as adding an entryway bench can turn a redundant, drab space into a welcoming, stylish zone. Here are some top entryway bench styling ideas to give you inspiration for your home:
1. Let the design do the talking
If visual impact is the primary goal, look no further than design-led benches that turn heads and steal the limelight. From cool, contemporary benches that are sleek and sexy to funky, quirky retro-inspired pieces that are guaranteed to start conversations, there are some incredible products available.
2. Make storage stylish
Adding storage is one of the main advantages of installing an entryway bench in your foyer. Storage may not sound glamorous, but there’s no reason why you can’t combine functionality with striking aesthetics. It’s easy to make storage stylish with beautiful benches that check the style and substance boxes. Think chic shoe storage benches and upholstered flip-top seats with space for coats, umbrellas, and boots.
3. Add interest with accessories
If you’re exploring classic entryway benches, you can add interest and increase storage space using accessories. From vases and planters to books and storage jars, you can use details and accents to create a stunning display.
4. Create a cozy space
If you’re keen to welcome guests or design a home that makes you feel relaxed and at ease as soon as you set foot through the door, you can use your entry bench to create a cozy, inviting space. Small things, like scattering cushions and a throw over your seating, can have a big impact.
5. Shine a spotlight on focal points
Entryway benches enable you to design new focal points. You can either make a fabulous new bench the star of the show or shine a spotlight on another piece, such as a mirror, painting, or sculpture.
6. Turn a passing place into an extra room
No matter how big or small your foyer is, you can use an entryway bench to turn a pass-through or passageway into an extra room, simply by encouraging people to sit down and take a moment. Stylish benches look great, but they’re also designed to provide a base to relax, rest or take your shoes off and enjoy a break. You can add other pieces to make your design intentions clear, for example, a side or console table or a footrest.
7. Use the walls for extra storage
Entryway benches are ideal for adding storage, but you can go further and make a style statement with clever accessories and fittings, such as wall racks, rails, hooks, and decorative knobs. This is an excellent idea if you’re short on floor space but have high ceilings. If you have a shoe bench, for example, you can create space for hats, scarves, and umbrellas with floating shelves and hooks.
How to Find the Right Foyer Bench for Your Home: Expert Tips
If you’re thinking about buying an entryway bench for your home, there’s a dazzling range of products available. There are options to cater to all, but some may suit your tastes and requirements better than others. It’s wise to shop around, compare pieces, and think about the overall aesthetic you want to achieve, as well as to set a budget and consider your lifestyle and needs in terms of storage.
Here are some basic steps to help you find the right bench for your foyer:
1. Choose a style
The beauty of interior design is that it gives you the freedom to choose styles, themes, and trends that you love to create a home rather than a house. If you’re shopping for an entryway bench, focus on products and designs that appeal to you and complement your taste and the style of the room, space or property. From traditional and quaint to ultra-modern or minimalist, there are options to suit everyone.
2. Consider the purpose
Entryway benches offer a raft of advantages for homeowners because they are hugely versatile pieces of furniture. When you’re browsing products or conjuring up ideas for a mood board, it’s helpful to consider the purpose of the piece. Are you purely focused on designing a spectacular foyer or entrance hall that looks unique or commands attention, or is practicality key? Do you need extra storage, or are you looking for something that offers a stopgap between outdoor and indoor living? Once you know why you need a new bench for the entryway, you can narrow down your options.
3. Set a budget
The cost of entryway benches varies significantly, depending on where you shop, the materials, the style of the seat, and its size. If you have a budget in mind, you can filter results or rule out products to make your search quicker, easier, and more streamlined.
4. Think about size
Some homes boast cavernous entryways with room for multiple benches, tables, or chairs, while others have more bijou foyers. It’s important to measure spaces before you fall head over heels for a piece that may not be suitable.
The Benefits of Adding an Entryway Bench
Are you looking for ways to make your home more inviting, solve space issues, or create a more cohesive design plan? An entryway bench could be the perfect addition for you. Here are some brilliant reasons to consider buying new seating for your entrance hall:
1. Create a positive first impression
It takes seconds to form a first impression. Whether you’re arriving home after a long day or welcoming friends and family, you may want to make a statement. From bold aesthetics that get people talking to cozy nooks that make your shoulders drop as soon as you get in, an entry bench can help you set the tone.
2. Add storage
Many of us, me included, have mounds of coats, shoes, hats, and scarves, as well as piles of books, toys, and sports equipment. If you’ve got a lot of stuff, you need storage solutions that allow you to find things quickly and keep your home looking neat and organized. This is where entryway benches come in. Offering extra storage while delivering style points, they’re a simple way to make your foyer look amazing and boost functionality.
3. Create a bridge between indoors and outdoors
Hands up if you love walking, running, water sports, cycling or any other hobby that involves being outdoors. It’s fantastic to have an active lifestyle and to reap the mental and physical health rewards of spending time outside, but outdoor activities can generate mess. If you’re familiar with muddy boots lying around or piles of raincoats scattered around the hallway, an entryway bench can help you create a bridge between indoors and outdoors.
You can use a seating area with storage to house everything from shoes, jackets, and hats to helmets, rackets, and backpacks. Your bench will help you transition from outside to inside seamlessly while keeping the rest of the house tidy.
4. Make space to sit and relax
It’s beneficial to have tranquil areas in your home to rest, relax, and recharge your batteries. A bench in the entryway invites people to take a break and enjoy some peace and quiet as soon as they arrive. Adding a bench is an easy way to create more space to chill out.
5. Save time when you’re leaving the house
Most of us are familiar with the struggle to get out of the house without rushing around trying to find things that seem to have disappeared. Whether you have kids, pets, or a hectic work schedule, you can save time when leaving home with a practical, stylish entryway bench. You can store essentials like coats and shoes, dog leads and balls, and school and work bags by the door, ready to grab as you go.
6. Show off your design flair
There are several practical reasons to invest in an entryway bench, but they also provide opportunities to show off your design flair, personality, and taste. Beautiful entryway furniture creates focal points in an instant. You can also use foyer seating and furniture to introduce themes and trends celebrated in the rest of the house.
Practical Bench Solutions for Small Spaces
If you have a small entryway, you may assume that there’s no space for a bench, but this is not always the case. There are plenty of ways to style an entryway bench in compact areas. Solutions to explore include:
Choose a more compact unit
Entryway benches come in a range of shapes and sizes. If you don’t have a vast foyer or the entrance is an awkward shape, for example, choose a more compact unit. Rather than a long, sleek bench, opt for a cabinet design or a bench with vertical shelving.
Make the most of your walls
You can optimize storage and enhance visual appeal by making the most of your walls in a tight space. Once you’ve chosen your entryway bench, use hooks, pegs, knobs and floating shelves and racks to capitalize on wall space.
Use nooks and alcoves
If you’re lucky enough to have a nook or alcove in your home, make use of it when placing your entryway bench. You can save space, create more room, and add a quirky design statement by pushing a bench back into an alcove, for example. You could also add shelves or rails for extra storage or a mirror and frames for aesthetic impact.
Maximize light with a mirror
If you have a small entryway, you can maximize natural light to give the illusion of more space by hanging a mirror over your bench.
Entryway Bench FAQs
What is an entryway bench?
An entryway bench is a bench you place in the entrance hall or foyer of your home. You can choose from a huge range of styles available in different shapes and sizes. Some benches are purely for sitting, while others offer storage options.
What are the most popular types of entryway benches?
The most popular types of entryway benches include benches with shoe racks, flip-top storage benches, benches with storage cabinets, and backless benches.
What are the benefits of buying an entryway bench?
The top benefits of buying an entryway bench are adding storage, providing a space to sit, relax and take your shoes off, and enhancing aesthetics. You can create a positive first impression with a stylish foyer and bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors by making use of handy storage for coats, shoes, bags, and sports equipment.
How much do entryway benches cost?
The cost of entryway benches varies significantly, depending on where you shop, the materials, and the size and design of the bench. Typically, you can expect to pay from $100 to over $1,000.