Unique Ideas to Boost Your Dining Space with an L Shaped Table Bench
Finding ways to maximize limited square footage is an ongoing quest for many homeowners. This can prove especially challenging when designing an eat-in dining area that still feels open and inviting, rather than cramped. The solution could be an L-shaped corner bench. This ingenious seating option utilizes awkward, hard-to-fill spaces that would otherwise go to waste. By transforming these inefficient spots into comfortable banquette-style seating, you can create a relaxed dining nook that comfortably accommodates family and friends.
Save Precious Square Footage
For tiny dining rooms, awkward corner areas tend to get neglected or filled with lonely potted plants. An L-shaped dining bench, also called a corner bench, puts this previously dead space to work. The bench hugs two adjacent walls, forming an L shape that provides seating along two sides instead of just one. This allows you to seat more people around the table without expanding the room's footprint. The compact yet cozy layout is a perfect small-space solution for urbane apartments, cottages, and even RVs.
Perfect for Tiny Dining Nooks
Many modern open floor plans lack a dedicated dining room, instead merging the kitchen and living room into one multifunctional Great Room. Carving out an intimate dining nook in these spaces can be a challenge. This is where a corner dining bench set comes in handy. You can tuck a petite table and L-shaped bench into odd niches and alcoves to create a tucked-away breakfast spot or bar area adjacent to the kitchen.
Multifunctional Magic
In addition to providing specialized seating, many corner dining benches offer discreet secondary roles as well. Models with hollow bases or lift-up lids on the bench seats reveal hidden storage compartments inside. These allow you to stash table linens, dining accessories, board games, or extra serving pieces conveniently out of sight but still within arm's reach. Some designs even allow the bench lid to be raised and used as extra counter space for serving food or an impromptu desk surface.
Hidden Storage Possibilities
For families or home cooks needing more organizational solutions, storage bench dining sets are ideal. Look for long benches with one or more large compartments underneath the seat. Use this to store everything from spare utensils and dinnerware sets to tablecloths and candle holders. Some models have a sliding tray that rolls out for easy access without needing to lift the bench top. For safety, check that compartments have soft-close hinges to prevent accidental finger pinches.
Gather and Dine in Comfort
The flowing L shape formed by a corner dining bench and table facilitates easier conversation and social interaction between diners. Unlike a straight bench or row of chairs along one side, the U-shaped seating invites people to make eye contact and speak across the corners. The casual, relaxed layout promotes a communal vibe. This makes corner bench dining sets a wise choice for families who regularly gather for home-cooked meals or homeowners who enjoy entertaining large groups.
Accommodates More Guests
Because an L-shaped corner bench utilizes both length and width, it can comfortably accommodate more people than traditional freestanding chairs around an equivalently-sized table. For modest spaces that experience occasional squeeze from extra guests, replacing chairs with a roomy corner banquette solves this seamlessly. Curved bench seating is especially family-friendly, allowing parents to corral small children safely in the middle.
Design Showpiece
Far from bulky, boring blank furniture, today's L-shaped dining benches make a serious style statement. From rounded organic shapes to sharp geometrical lines, you can select a bench form that matches your decor theme. For contemporary loft units and sleek, modern dining rooms, a glossy white bench offsets boldly-colored chairs nicely. Farmhouse style tables look smart next to an antique-inspired mahogany bench with detailed woodwork. Upholstered bench seating introduces eye-catching fabrics, tufting, and piping to the mix.
Upholstered Benches Add Softness
For a softer, more inviting look than hard surfaces, upholstered dining benches reign supreme. Plush cushions and padded backs encourage guests to lean back and relax into the conversation and linger at the table. Tailor the fabric, whether muted solids or vivid prints, to coordinate with existing dining chairs and window treatments. Tufted buttons, exposed feet, skirts, and attached back cushions allow for further customization.
Quality Craftsmanship for the Long Haul
Investing in a high-quality dining set means it should last for years despite heavy use. That occasional spilled red wine, family game night, or holiday celebrations with extra leaves added to the table top. Choose L-shaped benches made by reputable brands using durable, low-maintenance materials like solid maple wood, powder-coated metal, or stain-resistant fabrics. This ensures your set stays beautiful through daily wear-and-tear.
Easy Maintenance Materials
No-fuss vinyl and faux leather upholstery makes cleanup after messy mealtimes a breeze. For wood dining benches, a polyurethane finish protects against minor scratches, scuffs, and abrasions from scooting in and out from the table. Seek out quality joinery and reinforced stress points on bench frames. Breathable, removable upholstery covers allow for machine washing to keep dining benches fresh. Some even have moisture-repellent nano seat coatings.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Dining Bench
When selecting your L-shaped dining bench, aside from style preferences consider practical factors like measurements. An undersized bench crammed into an oversized corner leaves uncomfortable gaps between furniture and walls. This looks unappealing and causes bruised elbows. Avoid dwarfing a petite dining table with an imposing bench. For accuracy, furnish rooms from a complete dining set or using a room planner tool.
Measure Carefully for Good Fit
Use a tape measure to plot out the precise length for an L-shaped corner dining bench to fit your unique space. Note ceiling height for bench backs and any protruding windowsills, baseboard heaters, or door casings impeding installation. Report exact room dimensions and furniture arrangements to sales staff to receive recommendations on ideal bench sizing. This prevents purchasing pieces too big or small for your layout. Some benches include replacement cushions should resizing become necessary down the road.
Unique Bench Seating Ideas
Tired of the typical dining banquette stereotype? Then branch out with these creative applications of corner bench seating to showcase your personal style.
- A backless bench pushed flat against the wall makes smaller square footage feel less congested. Allow floating space behind freestanding chairs on the opposite side.
- For a relaxed vibe, extend bench seating around a large round pedestal table, curving the shape for symmetry.
- Incorporate bench seating on two adjacent sides of a rectangular table to accommodate larger groups or dinners with extra serving dishes crowding the top.
For variation, pick a dining bench made of different materials than your existing table. For example, pair a reclaimed wood plank table with sleek metal legs and a tufted linen bench. The contrast looks chic while offering diverse textures.
Clever L-shaped corner benches boost limited dining room dimensions through their space-conscious shape alone. But their benefits stretch beyond impressive capacity to accommodate more people in less square footage. Convenience features like hidden storage offer auxiliary functionality for keeping dining necessities close yet out of sight. Design flexibility also abounds, with custom bench sizes, materials, and finishes available to match any style. So for illuminating seating ideas guaranteed to maximize dining possibilities, corner your market on L-shaped benches.