The Bench in the Dining Room: 5 Ideas for Using It Beyond the Dining Table

Banco

A wooden bench is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture in the house—and one of the most underutilized. Most people picture it simply sitting next to the dining table. But it has so much more to offer. Here are five specific ways to make the most of it.

The Most Underrated Piece of Furniture in the Home

A bench takes up less visual space than two or three chairs, allows more people to sit on the same side, and creates a clean, continuous line that chairs cannot provide. Furthermore, when it’s not in use, it doesn’t clash with the space—it simply is there.

The LUMA Bench by Studio Tablas is crafted from FSC-certified solid oak in our workshop in Granada. It is available in various lengths and three finishes—Oak, Distressed, and Walnut—to suit any space.

Idea 1 — In the dining room, replacing chairs on one side

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The most common combination—and for good reason: a bench along the longest side of the table allows more people to sit in less space and creates a much cleaner visual line than a set of chairs.

Why it works better than chairs in certain situations

Cuando tienes invitados con niños, el banco es mucho más fácil — los niños se suben y se bajan sin mover nada. En cenas largas con amigos, sin brazos ni respaldos rígidos entre comensales, la conversación fluye mejor. Y en el día a día, el banco se puede apartar de la mesa con un solo gesto para ganar espacio de paso.

Cómo combinarlo con la mesa

El banco funciona bien en el lateral de cualquiera de nuestras mesas:

  • With the LUMA Dining Table—rectangular and in the same finish—for a cohesive look
  • With the NORMA Table or the MODE Table—round when extended—to accommodate more guests at dinner parties

The Most Popular Combination

LUMA table in walnut finish + LUMA bench in walnut on one side + two linen-upholstered chairs on the other sides. This is the configuration we’re asked for most often, and the one that best balances warmth and modernity.

Idea 2 — In the entryway, as a foyer

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The entryway is the first space your guests see and the last one you see before leaving. A solid oak bench completely transforms it—it provides a place to sit and put on your shoes, a spot to set down a bag, and a visual presence that no coat rack can match.

The empty seat at the entrance

The key to a hallway bench is its length: a bench measuring 100–120 cm is long enough to sit on without blocking the passageway. The LUMA Bench in Oak finish, with a small rug underneath and a mirror above, is one of the most effective and timeless entryway arrangements.

What to Wear on Top and Bottom

Encima: una bandeja de cerámica para llaves, una planta pequeña, nada más. Debajo: una cestita de mimbre para zapatillas o un par de zapatos ordenados. El banco no necesita mucho para funcionar — su forma ya habla.

Idea 3 — At the foot of the bed

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In the bedroom, the bench at the foot of the bed serves an immediate practical purpose—it’s where you leave your clothes for the next day, where you sit to put on your socks—but above all, it has a huge visual impact. It transforms a bed into something that looks like it belongs in a hotel.

The detail that transforms the bedroom

The bench at the foot of the bed adds a layer of depth to the space. The bed no longer ends at the mattress—it ends at a piece of solid oak that anchors the whole arrangement. With a folded blanket draped over it, the effect is complete.

Recommended measurements based on bed size

  • 135-cm bed: 110–120-cm-long bench
  • 150-cm bed: 130–140-cm-long bench
  • Cama de 180 cm: banco de 150–160 cm de largo
  • The bench doesn't have to be exactly the same width as the bed—slightly narrower looks good and makes the room feel more spacious.

Idea 4 — In the living room as an extra seat or surface

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The living room always needs more seating than it seems when guests arrive. A solid oak bench solves that problem elegantly—it takes up no space when it's not needed and comes out when it's needed.

The bench as a surface

Placed in front of the sofa as a low coffee table, the bench works perfectly. On top: a tray with candles, the remote, and a book. It’s cozier than a glass coffee table and more functional than a tall solid-wood one.

The bench as a makeshift seat

En una reunión informal con muchas personas, el banco es el asiento más fácil de reubicar. No tiene patas que se enganchen a la alfombra ni peso excesivo. Se mueve, se gira, se coloca donde hace falta.

Idea 5 — On the terrace or in the garden

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Solid oak can be used in covered outdoor areas—such as a covered patio, a porch, or a veranda. We do not recommend exposing it to continuous rain, but in a sheltered outdoor setting, varnish-finished oak holds up perfectly and ages gracefully.

We offer three finishes that complement the most common home decor styles:

El banco de terraza que no parece de jardín

  • La mayoría de los bancos de jardín tienen un aspecto utilitario que los hace difíciles de integrar con la decoración interior. El LUMA Solid Oak Bench | Studio Tablas en acabado Envejecido en una terraza cubierta tiene la calidez de un mueble de interior con la resistencia necesaria para el exterior protegido.

LUMA Bank — What You Need to Know

Dimensions and Capacity

The LUMA Bench is available in various lengths. As a general guideline, a 120-cm bench comfortably seats two adults; a 160-cm bench seats three.

The three available finishes

  • Roble — tono natural cálido, el más versátil, encaja en cualquier estilo
  • Aged — a rich, dark hue, ideal for Mediterranean or Nordic styles
  • Walnut — a deep, rich brown, the most elegant and formal of the three


Pair it with your table

The LUMA Bench is designed to be used on its own or in combination with the rest of the collection. Its standard height of 45 cm is compatible with all of our dining tables.

If you'd like to see the complete set—bench and table—before making a decision, request our wood samples and see how the finish looks in your space under your lighting.

Product mentioned in this article
🍽️ LUMA Dining Table
Solid FSC-certified oak · Handcrafted in Granada · Shipping to Europe
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