5 Entryway Bench Design Ideas (with Storage)

Key Takeaways

• Entryway benches give you a comfy place to sit and organize shoes, keys, bags, and coats while also serving as the focal point of your home’s entrance. 

• Minimalist, farmhouse, industrial, versatile, and small-space styles each offer unique storage solutions including drawers, cubbies, baskets, and hidden compartments.

• Corner benches can be used to maximize unused space, slim hallway designs are great for narrow areas, and wall-mounted styles can open up compact entryways.

• John Louis Home offers high-quality solid wood entryway solutions that combine aesthetic appeal with practical storage at a fraction of the cost of custom furniture.

Reasons to Get an Entryway Bench

A bench in the entryway is the foundation of a well-organized home entry. This versatile piece provides a comfortable spot to sit while you put on or take off your shoes. But these benches also provide a specific place for the daily essentials that would otherwise end up scattered around your home. Things like keys, mail, bags, and outerwear all have a place to go.

A carefully selected bench can serve as the focal point of your entryway, setting the tone for the rest of your home's interior. It sends a clear message to visitors that they've entered a space that's been designed with intention. In homes with an open-concept layout, an entryway bench can help create a clear separation between the entrance and the living areas, effectively defining your floorplan without the need for additional walls.

1. Clean & Simple Storage Benches

For those who love a clean, uncluttered look, a minimalist entryway bench is the perfect solution. These benches are all about clean lines, practicality, and simplicity. They often feature neutral colors, natural materials, and hidden storage to keep your entryway looking sleek and organized.

Sleek Floating Designs

Floating entryway benches create a striking contemporary statement while maximizing visual space in your foyer. These wall-mounted designs eliminate legs entirely, creating the illusion that your bench is hovering effortlessly against the wall. 

Many floating models incorporate hidden drawers or lift-top storage compartments that maintain the clean, uninterrupted lines minimalists crave. For smaller entryways, a floating bench dramatically increases the perception of available floor space while still providing essential storage and seating functionality.

Solutions for Saving Space

When you're working with a small space, minimalist benches are the perfect solution with their space-saving designs. Slim-profile benches that don't take up much space are ideal, providing enough seating without overwhelming a small hallway or modest entryway. 

Look for benches that have vertical storage, such as tall backrests with hooks or shelves that take up wall space instead of floor space. Some clever space-saving benches even have nested ottomans or stools that can be tucked away under the main bench when they're not in use, providing extra seating only when you need it.

2. Country Farmhouse Benches

Country farmhouse-style entryway benches add a touch of warmth and personality to your home's entrance. These pieces often have natural wood grains and weathered finishes that feel both classic and fashionable. 

Combining Baskets & Benches

For a touch of farmhouse chic that doesn’t skimp on organization, consider a bench-and-basket combo. These designs often feature open compartments that are just the right size for wicker baskets. This allows you to designate a specific basket for each family member or for different types of storage. 

Plus, the natural look of seagrass, water hyacinth, or rattan baskets adds a cozy touch to your entryway. Best of all, you can easily grab a basket and take it with you wherever you need.

Coat Rack-Bench Combinations

Combining a coat rack with an entryway bench can help keep both shoes and jackets organized in the same place.

Also known as hall tree benches, these entryway solutions offer seating, storage, and hanging space in one compact unit. They typically feature a bench base with storage underneath, a tall backrest with hooks for coats and bags, and often include additional shelving above for hats or decorative items. 

The vertical design maximizes storage capacity in minimal floor space, making these combination pieces perfect for households with multiple family members and limited square footage.

3. Contemporary Industrial Designs

Industrial style entryway benches add a raw, practical charm to your home's entrance; they showcase rather than hide the mechanisms and materials that lend the bench its strength. The industrial look is especially suited to urban lofts, modern homes, and spaces with architectural features like exposed brick, ductwork, or concrete floors.

Wood & Pipe Designs

Benches made with a pipe-frame design bring a chic and modern feel to your entryway. These unique items are made with elbows, flanges, and straight sections of pipes paired with thick wooden boards. The contrast between the meticulous design of the metal pipes and the natural appeal of the wood creates a fascinating visual appeal that is sure to catch the eye.

4. Versatile Benches

Versatile entryway benches are designed to solve specific organizational challenges like controlling shoe clutter, managing seasonal gear, or creating dedicated zones for each family member.

Organizing Footwear

The best benches can accommodate for shoes of all heights.

Entryway benches designed for shoe storage address a common problem in the foyer: containing shoes that would otherwise be strewn about the floor. These specific designs usually include open shelves under the seat or angled cubbies that show shoes at an angle for easy identification. 

The best shoe benches accommodate various shoe heights with adjustable shelves or different cubby sizes that can hold everything from flip-flops to winter boots. Consider designs that include specific compartments for each pair of shoes, as opposed to open shelving where shoes can end up in a disorganized pile.

Choosing Between Drawers & Cubbies

Drawers provide a sleek look and protect against dust. They completely hide the contents, which is perfect for items you want to keep close but not out in the open. Drawers keep items from falling out or moving around and provide separate spaces for different categories or people. However, they can make it difficult to find items quickly and may decrease the total storage space of the bench compared to open designs.

Cubbies allow you to see what's inside at a glance, and they usually have enough space to hold large items like baskets or big winter coats. The open design also lets air circulate around the items you're storing, which is great for wet shoes or outdoor equipment. Many people like to use cubbies for the things they use all the time and save the drawers for storing seasonal items or emergency supplies that they don't need to get to as often.

Padded Lift-Top Designs

Padded lift-top benches add a touch of elegance to your entryway while providing plenty of hidden storage under their cushioned seats. The hinged tops of these designs lift to expose large storage spaces, perfect for stashing items you want to keep close but out of sight like extra blankets, holiday decorations, or seldom-used equipment. The cushioned seat turns practical storage into cozy seating, encouraging family and guests to sit and stay awhile while putting on or taking off shoes.

When you're shopping for upholstered benches, go for those that are made of performance fabrics. These fabrics are designed to handle the high traffic and potential dirt that come with entryway locations.

5. Benches for Small Spaces

Benches for small entryways provide all the storage and seating you need, while still fitting nicely into small foyers, narrow hallways, or the entrances to apartments. The best benches for small spaces use smart strategies to save space—vertical storage, multiple uses, and a light visual appearance—to make a big impact without taking up too much room.

Make Use of Corners

Corner entryway benches are a great way to make use of often-wasted corner spaces. These benches, which are typically L-shaped or triangular, fit snugly into the corners of rooms. This allows you to use space that would otherwise go unused, and these benches often provide a surprising amount of seating and storage. 

The angled shape of these benches also naturally divides the entryway into different zones, which makes it easy to create separate areas for things like taking off shoes, hanging up coats, and organizing everyday items.

Slim Hallway Solutions

If you have a long, narrow hallway, a slim bench can be the perfect solution. These benches are often only 12–15 inches deep, but they can be as long as you need them to be. They offer plenty of seating and storage without taking up too much floor space. 

Many of these benches also have vertical storage options, such as hooks on the backrest or overhead shelves, so you can make the most of your wall space.

Create Your Dream Entryway Bench with John Louis Home

John Louis has been refining solid wood entryway benches for over 20 years.

At John Louis Home, we've spent more than 20 years refining our approach to solid wood storage solutions, including our top-tier entryway benches. Unlike generic wire racks or pricey custom cabinetry, our entryway storage systems offer exceptional quality made from real solid wood at affordable prices. 

Each item in our collection blends classic design with practical storage solutions that turn messy entryways into neat, attractive welcoming spaces. Our entryway benches include the same top-tier materials and detailed craftsmanship as our leading closet systems, offering consistent organization throughout your house with our signature warm wood hues and customizable arrangements. 

All John Louis pieces come ready for simple weekend assembly, making professional-level results achievable for DIY homeowners without specialized abilities or tools.

Explore John Louis Home Collection Now →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What size bench is ideal for a small entryway?

If you have a small entryway, try to find benches that are 24–36 inches wide and 12–15 inches deep. This will ensure that you have enough room to walk around. The height should be standard (18–20 inches) for comfortable seating, but you should look for thinner designs with vertical storage elements like hooks or shelves above. 

Corner benches can make the most of your space in small foyers, and wall-mounted designs can make your floor area look larger by getting rid of legs.

How do I match an entryway bench with my home's style?

Match your entryway bench to your home's style by identifying key design elements already present in your space. 

For traditional homes, look for benches with turned legs, decorative molding, or classic silhouettes in rich wood tones. Modern spaces pair well with clean lines, minimalist hardware, and materials like glass, metal, or painted finishes. 

Can I find a waterproof entryway bench if I live in a rainy area?

Absolutely. Consider benches made from naturally water-resistant materials such as teak, cedar, or marine-grade polymer, which can handle moisture without warping. Benches with metal frames and sealed concrete or stone seats are also extremely durable in wet conditions.

How high should an entryway bench be?

The seat of an entryway bench should be 18–20 inches off the floor. This is the same height as a standard chair, so it will allow most people to sit comfortably with their feet flat on the floor, which is handy when you need to put on or take off shoes. 

If you have older people or people with mobility issues in your household, you might want to consider a bench that is a bit higher, around 20–22 inches off the floor. 

What is the weight limit for a standard storage bench?

Most storage benches are designed to hold between 250 and 500 pounds of weight when sat upon, but this can vary widely depending on the materials used and how the bench is constructed. 

John Louis Home benches are designed to support over 400 pounds thanks to our use of high-quality hardwood and reinforced joinery. 

 

*Note: Pricing and product availability mentioned in this post are subject to change. Please check the website for current pricing and stock information before making a purchase.