Boost Your Kitchen Seating with a Functional L-Shaped Bench
Looking to maximize seating in your kitchen or dining area? An L-shaped dining bench may be the perfect solution. With their space-saving corner design and ample seating capacity, L-shaped benches are a versatile way to accommodate more people without increasing your room's footprint. Read on to learn all about the benefits of L-shaped benches, what to look for when buying one, and how to stylishly incorporate an L-shaped dining bench into your home.
What is an L-Shaped Dining Bench?
An L-shaped dining bench is exactly what it sounds like - a bench that is shaped like the letter "L". This unique shape allows the bench to fit snugly into a corner. L-shaped benches can be configured as either left-facing or right-facing depending on the layout of your dining space.
L-shaped benches typically have an integrated backrest along the longer side of the "L" to provide comfort and support. Many models also incorporate storage space beneath the seats, perfect for tucking away spare dining accessories. These benches come in a range of materials like wood, metal, and upholstered fabric.
Corner Placement
The defining feature of an L-shaped dining bench is its corner design. This allows it to maximize often underutilized space in a kitchen, breakfast nook, or dining area. The bench seats can extend from the corner outwards, with the backrest positioned along one of the adjoining walls.
Seating Capacity
L-shaped dining benches are prized for their ability to seat multiple people comfortably. The bench section offers ample room for several guests. Some L-shaped bench styles even include an extension or chair on one end, providing both bench and single seating in one piece.
Integrated Storage
Many L-shaped dining benches make use of the space beneath the seats by incorporating built-in storage compartments. These discreet but highly usable storage areas are great for tucking away spare dishes, linens, and other dining room accessories.
Benefits of an L-Shaped Dining Bench
L-shaped dining benches provide some wonderful benefits for your home. Here are some of the top reasons to consider incorporating one into your kitchen or dining space:
Maximize Seating
One of the best aspects of an L-shaped dining bench is the amount of seating it can provide in a relatively small footprint. By tucking the bench into a corner, you can seat multiple guests without taking up much floor space. The linear bench design allows more people to fit than traditional dining table sets.
Save Space
L-shaped benches are excellent choices for smaller kitchens, breakfast nooks, and dining areas where space is limited. The corner placement lets you take full advantage of an often underused area of the room. More seating capacity is created without increasing the bench's footprint.
Add Storage
Many L-shaped dining benches incorporate subtle yet highly usable storage options directly beneath the bench seats. This discreet and integrated storage provides a convenient spot to store spare dishes, dining linens, and other kitchen accessories. It helps keep the dining space free of clutter.
Flexible Arrangement
The modular, movable design of most L-shaped dining benches allows you to rearrange your space as needed. Bench orientation can be altered, and some models include a connected chair that can provide even more seating permutations. This flexibility lets you adapt the room for large gatherings or everyday dining.
Comfortable Backrest
Unlike some basic bench styles, L-shaped dining benches feature an integrated backrest along one side. This provides excellent lumbar support for more comfortable lingering during long meals and conversations. Upholstered backrests with plush cushions take the coziness up another notch.
Things to Consider When Buying an L-Shaped Dining Bench
Ready to add an L-shaped dining bench to your home? Here are some important things to keep in mind while shopping for the perfect option:
Measure Your Space
Before selecting a bench, carefully measure the corner area or wall where you want to place it. Account for other furniture or traffic zones to ensure the L-shaped bench will fit well within the footprint. This will prevent buying a bench that is too large or small for the intended space.
Choose a Facing
L-shaped dining benches come in both left-facing and right-facing orientations to accommodate room layouts. Choose the direction that makes sense for your floorplan and allows for easy access into and out of the seats. Measure to visualize the facings in your actual space.
Pick a Material
L-shaped dining benches come in a variety of materials like wood, metal, and upholstered fabric. Consider your lifestyle - harder surfaces like wood and metal are easier to clean and maintain, while upholstered benches provide more comfort. Look for high-quality materials for durability.
Storage Needs
If integrated storage is important to you, look for benches with compartments sized to hold your dining accessories. Closed cabinet-style storage keeps items hidden away while open shelving is great for quick access. Know what you intend to store before choosing storage type.
Match Your Decor
Look for an L-shaped dining bench with a style, color, and finish that complements your existing space. A wooden bench with black metal accents would match many modern or contemporary kitchens, for example. Let your decor guide your design choices.
Styling Your L-Shaped Dining Bench
L-shaped dining benches are so versatile - they can adapt to a range of decor styles. Here are some tips for stylishly incorporating one into your home:
Creative Placement
While L-shaped dining benches are intended for the dining room, get creative with placement. Use one to provide seating in a large kitchen, as a breakfast nook bench, or even as unique living room seating when entertainment friends.
Mix Bench and Chair Seating
An L-shaped dining bench instantly provides ample seating for your dining space. For variety, also incorporate standard dining chairs around the table. Mixing chairs with bench seating gives you the best of both worlds.
Repurpose as Office Seating
L-shaped benches aren't just for dining! The comfortable and supportive seat makes an L-shaped bench a perfect workspace companion. Use one as a unique bench desk to change up your home office.
Top L-Shaped Bench Picks
From sleek and modern to cozy farmhouse styles, there are so many great L-shaped dining benches to choose from. Here are some of our favorites:
Floyd L-Shaped Bench
This versatile L-shaped dining bench from Floyd features a birch frame and comes in 10 color options. The removable cushions are made of dense foam for comfort. It's the perfect modular bench for small spaces.
Pottery Barn Rowan Storage Bench
The Rowan L-bench from Pottery Barn offers generous concealed storage under the flip-up seat lids. The rubberwood frame is built for durability and has a warm, inviting finish.
IKEA Vimle Bench with Backrest
This affordable L-shaped bench from IKEA is sleek and contemporary. The steel frame, beech veneer, and durable Gunnared dark gray cushions are designed to withstand busy households.
The Perfect Addition to Your Dining Space
An L-shaped dining bench is truly the best of form and function. The space-saving corner design maximizes your existing footprint while providing ample, comfortable seating for family and friends. With integrated storage and adjustable backrests, these benches make it easy to customize your dining space. The versatile styling fits right into both rustic and modern decors.
Next time you are looking to add seating to your dining area or breakfast nook, consider the power of an L-shaped bench. This multi-functional piece provides the comfort, convenience, and style to make your dining area both beautiful and highly functional for years to come.
Comfortable Backrest
When evaluating different l-shaped dining bench options, pay close attention to the backrest component. Many standard models feature an integrated backrest for lumbar support. However, some benches lack this feature, making them less comfortable for longer periods of sitting. We suggest looking for adjustable backrests that allow you to customize the seating position according to your needs.
Storage Options
One of the key benefits of an l-shaped dining bench is the ability to incorporate storage directly into the design. Many models feature open or enclosed storage compartments beneath the bench seats, providing a convenient spot to tuck away spare dishes, table linens, and other dining accessories. This helps maximize space efficiency. For smaller dining areas, we recommend opting for an l-shaped bench with ample integrated storage to keep the space organized.
L-shaped dining benches come in a range of materials, from natural wood to metal and upholstered fabrics. While the material you choose comes down to visual preference, it also affects the bench's durability and longevity. Look for benches made using solid hardwood frames and high-density foam cushions. These high-quality materials withstand daily use and retain their structure over years of regular wear and tear.