Bench with a backrest: when it can replace the chair
A bench without a backrest is a place for short stays. With a backrest it becomes a piece of seating on which guests can also spend a longer meal. For restaurateurs, hoteliers and interior fitters this raises the question of whether a bench along one side of the table can replace the chairs or whether it remains merely an addition. The answer depends on seat dimensions, the shape of the room and the type of use. The following overview sets out the main criteria for the decision.
Seating comfort: dimensions that have to match the table
For a bench to work at the dining table, its seat height must match that of the chairs; around 45 to 48 centimetres is usual with a table height of roughly 75 centimetres. The seat depth should not be markedly greater than that of a chair, otherwise people lean too far away from the table. A slightly inclined, upholstered backrest supports the back even over several courses. Very deep, soft benches from the lounge area are unsuitable at the dining table. Also make sure that the upholstery is evenly firm along the entire length. Trying the bench out at a laid table quickly provides clarity.
Saving space along the wall
The bench has its greatest advantage where it stands against a wall. Chairs need room behind them to be pushed back, as a rule about 60 centimetres or more. A wall bench does not need this space, so the table can move closer to the wall. In addition, more people can often be seated along the same length because there are no gaps between individual chairs. A guide value is about 55 to 60 centimetres of width per person. Benches with a high backrest also protect the wall from abrasion and stains. This is a noticeable gain above all in narrow dining rooms and alcoves.
Where the chair remains superior
A bench is less mobile. Anyone sitting in the middle has to ask others to stand up, which is a nuisance with longer benches and frequent changes. For older guests, sliding in sideways is laborious, and armrests to help with standing up are usually missing. Nor can tables be rearranged at will once the bench is a fixed part of the plan. In rooms with changing seating layouts, for events for example, chairs therefore remain the more flexible solution. A combination has proved its worth: bench on the wall side, chairs on the aisle side, so that every guest has a choice.
Design and care
An upholstered bench with a backrest is a large, visible piece of furniture and shapes the room more strongly than individual chairs. Button tufting, carved frames and velvet covers take up the design language that characterises Baroque furniture and can be combined with matching chairs. In daily operation crumbs collect in the gap between seat and backrest; an easily accessible gap or a smooth cover makes cleaning easier. Check whether the bench stands on feet or has a closed plinth. Feet make mopping easier, while a plinth prevents objects from disappearing underneath. Both have their place in daily operation.
Related categories: Chairs, Dining tables, Armchairs. The full range: Baroque furniture.
Read more: Autumn decoration: warm tones with gold and dark wood, Coffee table set in two sizes: move it flexibly instead of fixing it in place, Armchairs in Hotel Rooms: Function Over Decoration, Three-Seater Sofa on Short Wall: Balancing Room Proportions, Sofa without coffee table: when the room should keep the centre clear