Building a bench seat can quickly- and permanently- go wrong. Follow these rules to satisfaction and comfort.
One of the easiest and most common mistakes to make when building- or having built- any custom seating is the height of the seat. Whether it’s a free standing bench or a bench attached to one or more walls, what often happens is that the height of the structure is built at a standard dining seat height of 20″. And then, once the cushion is added, most of us will end up with our feet dangling!
The Solution is easy. Follow these simple tips. And let me know how it goes! I love to see photos and get updates from clients and readers.
The mistake typically starts and ends with whether or not you want a cushion on your bench.
- Start by answering this question: Is your bench for dining at a table, or mainly for conversation?
- Dining bench, at table: finished seat height should be 20″ high. If you plan to add a cushion, deduct the cushion thickness before building your bench. This is where most people make their mistake! If you build at 20″ and then add a cushion- dangling feet. No good. So, if you want a 3″-4″ cushion, build a bench that is 16″ high for a 4″ cushion and 17″ high for a 3″ cushion before the cushion goes on.
- Conversational seating: a finished seat height of about 15″ – 16″ will feel pretty good with or without a cushion. On a patio, as a window seat, in an entry, etc. I like to keep it a little lower when the bench will mainly be used for conversational seating. It’s easier to either lean back if there’s a back on the bench, or rest your elbows on your knees for variety. If you’re having a party and people will be eating where they can, lower seating usually allows for a more comfortable resting of plate on knees.
- Depths of all benches will ideally be about 15″-16″ deep minimum and no more than about 20″- 21″ deep unless it’s one you want to relax into for a nap, a long read, or a long, private best-friend sort of conversation.
- OH! and if you’re building a shower bench, definitely follow ADA guidelines (American Disabilities Act). They know what they’re talking about. No cushion, of course, and you want the bench height between 17″-19″ above the finished bathroom floor, and with a minimum seat depth of 15″-16″.
Build your bench to the right height for comfortable seating