Kitchen Benches vs. Kitchen Chairs
By Christa TerryWhen you have a small kitchen or even a wee dining room – maybe even a tiny little breakfast nook – huge dining chairs with arms and upholstery can really take away from the space you do have. If you can’t shove your dining chairs all the way under your table… if you want to use a tablecloth… if it’s difficult to move your dining chairs from under the table without shifting the table, you have a problem. (And don’t even get me started on high chairs!)
The solution? Kitchen benches instead of kitchen chairs. Benefits of kitchen benches over kitchen chairs include the ability to easily stash your seating under the table when not in use, the ability to use a longer tablecloth without it bunching everywhere because chairs are in the way, and more versatility when it comes to how many people will fit at your table. The main downside of using benches in the kitchen is the lack of the back, which may not work for people with physical issues like back problems.
Anyone out there using kitchen benches instead of kitchen chairs? I’m thinking about making the switch, but I work at my kitchen table so I need to be sure that I’ll be comfortable working on a bench instead of a chair.
April 13th, 2011 at 5:58 am
We had a kitchen table with benches when I was a kid – easy for little ones (there were four of us) to get on and off and there was always room for one more on the bench. Not sure you’d want to sit on a bench long enough to work, though. What about benches on the side and a good sturdy, comfy chair at the end for you?
April 13th, 2011 at 6:41 am
I’ve been thinking I’d like a bench on one side and chairs on the other. The best of both worlds perhaps? Our table expands and this would help us have the extra seating when needed without overwhelming our home with four more chairs and without resorting to putting guests in folding chairs. Problem is I want to make it out of something old and cool…reuse, recycle, etc. Ideas?
April 13th, 2011 at 6:48 am
What about a banquette? (sp?). Won’t work in a dining toom, but if a table is near a corner or a wall, you can have the ease of a bench with the benefit of a back (plus those types of benches – think restaurant booths – tend to be solid built, so you exchange the mobility for STORAGE space – another desire of small spaces.
April 13th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
When I was first dating my now husband, his kitchen table had benches. They worked well for his kids, but not so great for a mix of adults and kids. I’d rather have chairs.
April 14th, 2011 at 6:24 am
We got a counter height table with bench chairs for our small eat-in kitchen. it’s perfect for dinner seating, and for extra counter space when coking things like homemade pizza. and the chairs out of the way make it so kiddo can ride her toy cars around the kitchen. 🙂
April 15th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Wow, everyone! Thanks for sharing your bench experiences and for your suggestions!
@Anna Honestly, that is my ideal! I’ve been looking around for one for a while and do hope to upgrade to one in the not-so-distant future!