What height and dimensions for a bench?

No standard dictates the dimensions of a house bench: the benchmarks below come from common practice, named as such, and the heights measured on the benches in our bench collection. We have selected the 42 models without backrests whose title gives all three dimensions, with colour variants grouped together.

Bench height

The height of a bench is measured at seat level, as it most often has neither backrest nor armrests. Of the 42 models measured, it ranges from 35 to 48.5 cm, with a median of 45 cm. Very low benches (HKliving slatted, 35 cm; Home Design Fiona, 37 cm) serve as object stands or living room benches; above 48 cm, you move from dining bench to end-of-bed or hallway bench.

Bench seat height

A bench seat follows the same rule as a chair: feet flat on the floor, knees at right angles. For an adult, that's 45 to 47 cm, the height adopted in our dining chair guide. An upholstered bench compresses by a few centimetres under weight: choose it slightly higher than a wooden bench for the same use.

Standard bench height

The manufacturers' standard is 45 cm: this is the dimension of the Tolix T37, the HAY CPH Deux 215 in 75 cm, the TIPTOE Panorama and several Hübsch benches. Half the benches measured fall between 43.8 and 46 cm. Keep this figure as default, and only deviate from it for a table higher or lower than 75 cm.

Bench dimensions

A bench is described by three dimensions, in the order length, depth, height: 157 x 36 x 46 cm for the Betty by &tradition, 200 x 34 x 45 cm for the T37 by Tolix. Note that some manufacturers give depth first (35 x 160 x 46 cm for the Dutchbone Elroy): the largest dimension is always the length, height is almost always last.

Bench width

What is called a bench's width is actually the depth of its seat. Practical benchmark: 30 cm minimum for sitting briefly, 35 to 40 cm for a meal. The dining benches in the catalogue measure between 34 and 36 cm (Tolix T37, Betty); upholstered benches rise to 39 to 46 cm (101 Copenhagen Hiro, The Cool Republic Elio), hallway benches drop to 23 cm (HAY Weekday).

Bench size

Length is counted in places. Practical benchmark: 60 cm per person at table, as for a chair, and 45 to 50 cm in a hallway, where you sit for the time it takes to put on shoes. A 90 cm bench therefore seats one adult at table and two in the hallway; a 120 cm bench, two adults; a 180 cm bench, three adults.

3-person bench length

Three adults require 150 to 180 cm: 150 cm for brief seating, 180 cm for a meal where everyone needs to be able to rest their elbows. Facing a table, the bench must also remain shorter than the distance between the table legs to slide underneath: this often determines the maximum length. All lengths are brought together in the bench collection.

Bench height for table

The rule is the same as for chairs: 28 to 32 cm between the seat and the underside of the tabletop. A 75 cm table calls for a 45 to 47 cm bench; a 78 to 80 cm table, a 47 to 49 cm bench. Measure the table beneath its apron (the rail running under the top) rather than above the tabletop: that's where the thighs pass. Table dimensions are detailed in our dining table guide.

Table bench width

For a meal, a seat depth of 34 to 40 cm is enough: without a backrest, one sits upright and doesn't need the 40 to 45 cm of a chair. Beyond 45 cm, the bench pushes the seated person too far from the tabletop. Below 30 cm, one remains on the edge and tires before dessert.

Length facing the table

The bench must slide between the table legs to clear the passageway: measure the interior gap between the legs and subtract a few centimetres. Rule of thumb: a bench 20 to 40 cm shorter than the table, i.e. 140 cm for a 160 cm table, 160 to 180 cm for a 200 cm table. On a pedestal or trestle table, this constraint disappears and the bench can match the length of the top.

Bench and chairs: the combination

The simplest formula combines a bench on the wall side and chairs on the passage side: the bench tucks under the table and frees circulation, the chairs retain the comfort of a backrest for those who linger. On the wall side, the bench requires less clearance than a chair, since one steps over it rather than pulling it back; keep the 90 cm clearance from our dining table guide on the side where traffic flows. Matching chairs are in our dining chair guide, solid wood benches in the wooden bench collection.

Entryway bench height

In the hallway, you sit down to put on shoes, not to dine: a bench of 45 to 48 cm helps you stand up again, especially for elderly people or tired knees. The entryway benches in the catalogue sit within this range: Hübsch Alcove at 45 cm, The Cool Republic Lumo at 44.5 cm, Hübsch Epoch and Bifi at 48 cm.

Depth and passage

The bench mustn't eat into the corridor. Rule of thumb: leave 80 to 90 cm of free passage in front of it. In a 120 cm wide hallway, a bench 30 to 35 cm deep remains feasible; below 110 cm, choose a narrow bench of 23 to 32 cm or a simple stool that can be tucked under a console table.

Bench with storage

A drawer, trunk or lower shelf takes the week's shoes and clears the floor: that's the case with the Hübsch Alcove (drawer), the Form & Refine A Line (open shelf) and the Ferm Living storage bench. Check the clearance height under the seat if you're storing boots: they need more room than trainers.

Coat rack above the bench

Wall hooks are placed high enough so that a long coat doesn't touch the seat: measure your longest coat, hook included, and add the bench height. Our coat rack and hook guide details these heights; the models are in the coat rack collection.

At the foot of the bed

A footboard bench is used to place a throw, a suitcase, or to sit on whilst dressing. Usage guideline: its seat should be positioned 5 cm below the top of the mattress, and its length should be two-thirds of the bed width, i.e. 100 to 120 cm for a 160 cm bed. Upholstered benches in bouclé or fabric (101 Copenhagen Hiro, AYTM Angui, Dutchbone Fern) are perfectly suited, as are benches.

In the living room

In front of a window or along a wall, a low bench of 35 to 40 cm serves as extra seating and a surface for plants or books: this is the height of the HKliving slatted bench (35 cm) or the Studio Gaïa Neta in travertine (40 cm). A pouf plays the same role in a smaller living room.

In a hallway

A hallway requires a shallow depth: 23 to 32 cm (HAY Weekday, AYTM Curva) is sufficient to sit briefly or place a bag. A slender base and a light-coloured top create a lighter silhouette. Black benches, which are more graphic, are grouped in the black bench collection.

Wooden bench dimensions

Solid wood (oak, ash, beech, walnut) dominates dining benches: Betty by &tradition in oak, 157 × 36 × 46 cm; Hübsch Baenk in oak, 180 × 44 × 48 cm; Muuto Workshop in oak, 90 cm. A thick seat and braced legs prevent a 180 cm bench from sagging in the middle. Oiled wood can be sanded and re-oiled, lacquered or laminate wood (HAY CPH Deux 215 2.0) only needs a damp cloth. See the wooden bench collection.

Metal

Folded or tubular steel produces slim, highly resistant benches: Tolix T37 (200 × 34 × 45 cm), AYTM Curva (100 × 32 × 43.2 cm), Matière Grise Zef in 160 and 195 cm. It marks when knocked but not with liquids, and withstands the intensive use of a family kitchen or hallway.

Fabric and bouclé

An upholstered bench brings the comfort of a seat and a textile touch to a bedroom or hallway: 101 Copenhagen Hiro, The Cool Republic Lumo and Varen, Dutchbone Fern. It compresses by a few centimetres, hence a slightly higher seat initially (44.5 to 48.5 cm). Bouclé can be brushed and spot-cleaned with neutral soap; avoid it under a children's table.

Stone and concrete

Travertine, marble or fibre-reinforced concrete produce sculptural benches, heavy and immovable: Studio Gaïa Neta in travertine, marble and onyx (115 × 40 × 40 cm), 101 Copenhagen Arc in concrete, Ferm Living Deya in glass fibre-reinforced concrete. These are living room or garden pieces rather than dining benches. Models with dark metal legs are grouped in the black bench collection.

Garden bench dimensions

The backless garden benches in the catalogue follow the indoor height, 44 to 47 cm (noo.ma Navo at 44 cm, TIPTOE Panorama at 45 cm, Fatboy Fred's at 46.5 cm, Zuiver Avenue at 47 cm), with a seat depth of 32 to 48 cm. Lengths range from 110 cm (Muuto Linear) for two people to 265 cm (Vincent Sheppard Matteo) for a large outdoor table.

Bench backrest height

A backrest transforms the bench into a resting seat. The benches with backrests in the catalogue reach 80 to 82 cm from the floor (HAY Palissade, 128 x 70 x 80 cm; Hübsch Villa, 133 x 59 x 82 cm), with an overall depth of 59 to 70 cm that must be allowed for on the terrace. For a bench placed against a wall, a backless model and a cushion are sufficient.

Which wood for an outdoor bench?

Teak is the reference wood for outdoors: dense and rich in oil, it resists moisture and turns grey over time if not oiled (Carl Hansen AH912, Sika Design George, Muuto Assemble). Pine, being softer, must be stained or painted and regularly protected. Aluminium (Fatboy Fred's, Petite Friture Week-end) and powder-coated steel (TIPTOE Panorama) or stainless steel (Tolix Patio) only require cleaning with soapy water. The models are in the garden bench collection.

A 200 × 90 cm table with corner legs, a bench against the wall

Target height: 45 to 47 cm for a 75 cm table top. Target length: the interior distance between legs, around 180 cm for a 200 cm table. The &tradition Betty (157 × 36 × 46 cm) slides between the legs with room to spare; two adults dine comfortably, three for a short meal or with a child. The Tolix T37 in 200 cm will suit a trestle table or pedestal table better.

An entrance 115 cm wide, a family of four

A bench 30 to 35 cm deep leaves 80 to 85 cm of passage. The Cool Republic Lumo (93 × 35 × 44.5 cm) seats two children putting on shoes at the same time; above it, an 80 to 100 cm wall-mounted coat rack aligned with the length of the bench, hooks placed high enough so coats do not brush the seat.

Oiled wood: damp cloth, oil the seat once or twice a year, sand stains locally.Lacquered or laminated wood: soapy water, never use abrasive cleaners.Steel and aluminium: soapy water, touch up paint on chips to prevent rust on steel.Fabric and bouclé: hoover weekly, remove stains with neutral soap without rubbing.Outdoor teak: scrub with water in spring, apply teak oil if you want to keep its honey colour. A solid wood or steel bench will last for decades; check once a year that the screws and assembly dowels are tight, as they work harder than on a chair.

What orders placed on The Cool Republic between January and September 2026 show in the collection Benches. Shares are counted by number of orders, not quantities, so that a large purchase doesn't weigh more than another.

What's ordered most in 2026

• Colours: silver (22%), beige (19%), black (18%).
• Materials: steel (27%), polyester (19%), velvet (9%).

Most requested brands

By share of orders: AYTM (20%), House Doctor (19%), HKliving (16%), Hübsch (12%).

Most ordered models since January

• Chrome steel bench 100x32x43.2cm Curva, AYTM
• Lobby Striped bench, HKliving
• Olive velvet bench Lao, House Doctor
• Black wooden bench Nadi 120 cm, House Doctor
• Teak slatted bench 96 cm, HKliving

• Choosing a 40 cm bench for a 75 cm table: that leaves 35 cm between the seat and the tabletop, which then comes up to chest height; aim for 45 to 47 cm.
• Choosing the length without measuring the gap between the table legs: a 180 cm bench won't fit under a 180 cm table with corner legs.
• Allowing 45 cm per person at the table: that's the measurement for a hallway; for a meal, you need 60 cm, meaning two adults rather than three on a 140 cm bench.
• Placing a 40 cm deep bench in a 110 cm hallway: that leaves only 70 cm of walkway, less than the recommended 80 to 90 cm.
• Leaving an untreated pine bench on the terrace: without varnish or paint, it stains and splits in one season; teak, aluminium and powder-coated steel withstand rain.
• Fixing coat hooks too low above the hallway bench: a long coat hanging down onto the seat prevents anyone from sitting down.