9 best benches for a functional upgrade to your living space

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

• Dimensions: H46 x W145 x D42cm

Fashioned from a pale blond solid oak, and with a smooth lacquered finish, the poise bench offers a laid-back Scandi look, ideal for relaxed family dining. Fans of exceptional woodwork will appreciate the bench’s finer details such as the flawless joints and the curved edges. We loved the upside-down Y shaped legs, which match the dining table in the same range, adding sculptural interest underneath but also ensuring there’s no awkward knee knocking. This sturdy long-seater comfortably sits two to three.

Best: Bang for your buck

Rating: 9/10

• Dimensions: H12.5 x W153.5 x D42.5cm

Habitat’s affordable offering is made from a mix of solid oak and oak veneers, which thankfully keeps the price down. But you wouldn’t necessarily know this isn’t 100 per cent the real deal. The backless bench complements the brand’s etta dining table (£495, Habitat.co.uk) and we loved the way the angled, tapered legs of both perfectly match up, meaning there’s no interruption of clean contemporary lines. The extra-wide bench boasts a gently rounded top and a smooth finish, while a saturated wood stain brings out the natural grain of the material beautifully.

Best: For affordable style

Rating: 8/10

• Dimensions: H46cm x W110cm x D35cm

The beauty of this bench is its simplicity. Utilitarian in look and feel, the piece is made from solid pine, awarding it a warming mid-tone colour. But within that there are lovely variations in shade, with the material’s knots and natural grain on full show. This one might look raw and rustic but it has a smooth wax finish. With its chunky solid legs, the two-seater might not easily tuck into your dining table, so it’s worth measuring up properly. The bench arrives flat packed but boasts the simplest self-assembly.

Best: For design lovers

Rating: 9/10

• Dimensions: H49cm x W118cm xD40.5cm

Contemporary and elegant, Sternzeit’s accent bench proves a handy addition to the hallway. In an attractive mix of materials, the bench features a slimline powder coated copper frame, a beech and plywood seat, and a plush velvet upholstered seat pad. Not unlike an old-fashioned telephone seat, this one’s perfect for a casual perch. We loved the bench for its sleek silhouette that doesn’t overwhelm a narrow space. Choose from a range of nature-inspired velvet shades. Stylish and practical in equal measure.

Best: For comfort

Rating: 8/10

• Dimensions: H83cm x W140cm x D55cm

Marrying the back support of a dining chair and the causal form of a long-seater is Made’s offering. The adams dining bench is a chic mid-century inspired piece with its textured polyester upholstery and its solid birch legs that are both tapered and angled, Sixties style. This is a relatively affordable piece but the attention to detail is second to none: the bench’s delicate stitching keeps the look super neat and clean-lined. It’s worth noting that some backed benches come with arm rests whereas this one doesn’t, meaning it does tuck in neatly.

Best: For a glamorous look

Rating: 8/10

• Dimensions: H51cm x W110cm x D43cm

Bringing a casual aesthetic to a formal dining space, Dunelm’s kendall bench hits all the right notes. Upholstered in a soft touch velvet fabric, it offers a cosy seat, while its curved backrest gives you the feeling of being gently cocooned. That said, its broken design with the void at the back counters any bulkiness, keeping the look light and airy. We loved the mix of rich velvet and shiny gold metal accents, including the slimline tapered legs. This glamorous two-seater looks great when offset with a rustic wooden dining table.

Best: For rustic charm

Rating: 8/10

Dimensions: H 51cm x W 110cm x D 43cm

While you might not be blessed with polished parquet flooring in the dining room, there are plenty of furniture pieces that celebrate the pattern and we loved this herringbone design. Crafted from mango wood with its rich variations tone, the bench – along with the brand’s matching dining table in the same range – mixes rustic charm with sleek and modern design. The black metal legs are nicely angled to maximise on legroom underneath, while the top is textured but at the same time, smooth.

Best: For sustainability

Rating: 9/10

• Dimensions: H46 x W150 x D38 cm

This is a brilliantly chunky, rustic wooden bench that means business. We loved its simple utilitarian design and its organic makeup: as the name suggests, the piece is crafted from 100 per cent reclaimed and recycled timber. Because of that, the bench boasts a wonderfully rich visual texture with perfectly imperfect markings, from knots to original nail holes, as well as a varied colour palette. This one might not easily tuck in under the kitchen table but it is generously wide. Pile it up with colourful scatter cushions to up the cosy.

Best: Craftsmanship

Rating: 9/10

• Dimensions: H46 x W130 x D40 cm

This is a beautifully crafted furniture piece from designer Rob Scarlett. With its slimline form, the bench is well suited to an elegant and minimal dining room set-up. Made from solid, dark stained American oak, this one’s all about the beauty of the wood and its arresting natural grain. But in a nod to mid-century modern design, the top material is offset with chic powder-coated metal hairpin legs. The brunel bench is reliably strong and sturdy – despite its dainty looking legs – and it boasts smooth rounded corners.