8 Entryway Bench Styling Ideas

Ever wondered how to make the most of your entryway and create a fantastic first impression on anyone who walks through the door? An entryway bench could be just what you’re looking for. A most practical and functional addition to the home, entryway benches are perfect for properties with generous hallways, and houses with welcoming porches.

An entryway bench can help you make the most of every part of your property, use your entryway bench as a shoe storage, or a secret hideaway for your cat. Alternatively, use your bench as a fantastic aesthetic addition to your stylish home. To help you make the most of your all-important entrance, we’re taking a quick look at how to style your entryway bench.

Select your style

Before you can even start styling your entryway bench, you’ll first need to own one. Try to find a piece in a style that fits with the rest of your home’s overall design. So, if you’ve chosen a light, bright Scandi-style look for your interior, opt for a bench with a light wood finish and bright upholstered seat. Or, if your home has a vintage feel, choose a piece made from dark wood and upholstered with a bright, bold fabric.

A pop of colour of Doris' Zenith Blue seating against its charming mid-century modern dark walnut base makes for a stunning entryway whenever you leave or enter your home.

Choose your location wisely

The entryway has a big impact on how a home functions. If your entryway is cluttered and difficult to navigate, it can make leaving the house, and bringing shopping home, a real challenge.

Place your bench in the widest part of your hall to minimise obstruction and keep your doorway accessible. If your entryway is narrow, place your bench right up against your wall to keep your floor space as clear as possible.

Define your entryway with a rug

If you have a large entryway, you can use a rug to help define the space. A stylish rug will also help to draw attention to your bench and turn it into a focal point.

Choose a rug in a bright colour to add personality to your space and complement the other tones in your home. Alternatively, choose a neutral shade and let your bench be the star of the show.

Entryway rugs are particularly prone to wear and tear, so it’s probably a good idea to avoid very light colours, unless you ask visitors to remove their shoes before walking through the door. Make sure you use rugs that are suitable for high traffic areas and that can be easily cleaned. This will help you to keep the area looking bright and tidy, even when you have lots of friends and family coming to visit.

The Desi Wool Runner, Miles Entryway Bench and Miles Mirror complement each other and are the perfect trio for a breezy Japandi-styled entryway.

Use illumination to brighten dark hallways

A lot of the time, hallways have limited light and so can appear dark, especially on dull grey days. One of the best ways to brighten up a dark hallway is to place a floor lamp next to your entryway bench. Having a lamp right by your door will make it easy to turn your light on when you come in at night and make a real feature out of your seating area.

You can also maximise the ambient light in the space with some carefully placed mirrors. Mirrors reflect ambient light and can help to make a hallway feel bigger as well as brighter. Invest in a large rectangular mirror, or a series or smaller mirrors, to give your entryway the wow factor.

Maximise the practicality of your bench

Storage is important in every part of the home and the entryway is no different. You can add to the storage potential of your bench by placing a basket underneath the seat. This works well with light, elegant pieces like the Seb Bench and the Doris bench. If you wanted to increase your storage capacity even further, you could add multiple baskets or even place a shelf under the bench for shoes and boots.

Soften the look with cushions

While you may not automatically think of adding cushions to a bench, they can look fantastic and make the seating area more comfortable. What’s more, cushions are a great way to introduce more colour to your interior design and to make the area feel like a welcoming part of the home.

@sarah.rineer.living's chic take on her entryway is styling the classic Seb Bench with a cosy cushion for support, a potted plant and art as wall decorations.

Add greenery

Placing a few large plants next to your entryway bench can look fantastic and make your hall even more inviting. Having one large plant instead of lots of small pots will help to reduce clutter and keep your entrance clear and easy to use. Try to find a plant that’s slim and easy to care for to avoid large leaves blocking the way or dead foliage clogging the floor.

Pair with complementary pieces

Pairing your entryway bench with other complementary pieces of furniture will ensure your home impresses your guests the moment they walk through the door. Look for sideboards and shelving units in a similar style to give your hallway its own identity and emphasise your interior design theme.

Adding a bench to your hall will help you make the most of every part of your home and create a welcoming and stylish entrance. Get more design ideas and inspiration, and find the perfect bench for your home, by taking a look around today.