You guys won’t believe how much a simple bench can transform your living room! After years of helping families reimagine their spaces, I’ve personally seen how often these living room bench seating ideas can completely change the feel of a room.
Last month, I helped a friend update her cramped living area, and the look on her face when she saw how a strategically placed bench opened up the entire space was absolutely priceless!
This post explores creative and functional living room bench seating ideas that not only enhance the space but also serve multiple purposes.
But color palette like cream and brown, monochrome, and teal and turquoise works magic in living room if included through bench’s.
So let’s get ready to dive into amazing 11 living room bench seating ideas.
11 Living Room Bench Seating Ideas To Elevate Your Space
Benches aren’t just for parks or waiting rooms anymore! These versatile pieces can solve multiple problems while adding serious style points to your living space.
Whether you’re dealing with a tiny apartment or a sprawling family room, bench seating offers that perfect balance of function and beauty that we’re all searching for.
The right bench can create extra seating when guests arrive, provide much-needed storage, establish zones in open floor plans, or simply add that designer touch that makes a house feel like home.
Create a Window Seat with Built-in Bench
Building a bench under your picture window creates this magical little retreat that draws people in. My kids fight over who gets to curl up there with a book on rainy days.
And honestly? I’m usually trying to claim it myself when they’re at school!
The natural light makes it perfect for reading or just watching the world go by.
We added thick cushions and some colourful pillows to make it super comfy. The secret bonus? We built storage underneath for blankets and games. Such a space-saver!
Use the Bench as a Focal Point
Sometimes your living room just needs that one statement piece to pull everything together. A gorgeous bench can totally be that piece!
I worked with a client who had this beautiful but somewhat bland living room.
We brought in this stunning dark velvet bench in a rich emerald colour and placed it right in the center of her seating arrangement. Game changer! Suddenly, the whole room had personality.
Look for unique details like tufting, interesting legs, or unusual shapes. These elements draw the eye and give your room that custom-designed feel.
When you walk into a room, you want something that makes you go “wow” – a statement bench can be exactly that!
Create a Reading Nook with Benches
For all my fellow book lovers out there! This might be my favourite way to use benches.
My daughter and I created the sweetest reading corner using two small benches facing each other with a little round table between them.
We placed a floor lamp nearby and hung some floating shelves above for her favourite books. It’s become our special mom-daughter spot for afternoon reading sessions.
What makes this work so well is the casual, inviting feeling. Unlike formal chairs, benches feel approachable and relaxed.
You can sit, slouch, or stretch out however you like! Plus, they take up less visual space than bulky armchairs.
Use it as a Room Divider
Open concept living sounds great until you’re trying to watch TV while someone’s cooking something noisy in the kitchen!
Benches make perfect room dividers without blocking light or making spaces feel closed off.
I used this trick in my client’s home when we knocked down a wall between the living room and dining area.
We placed a long bench with a high back facing the dining table, and it creates just enough separation while still keeping that open feeling.
The coolest part? It provides extra seating for both areas! Where you can have dinner parties, we set the dining table. When we’re all watching movies, it faces the living room.
Opt for benches that double as Storage Units
According to a recent home organisation survey, 80% of Americans feel their homes are cluttered or disorganised. Storage benches to the rescue!
We recently updated a tiny living room for a family of four. Their main complaint? Toys everywhere! We found this gorgeous linen storage bench that matched their couch perfectly.
Now, all those colourful plastic toys get tossed inside at the end of the day, and no one would ever know they’re there.
Look for benches with hinged tops or drawers underneath. They’re perfect for stashing throw blankets, magazines, remote controls, or whatever clutter tends to accumulate in your living space.
Create an Extra Seat for the Guest
I always suggest including at least one bench in living rooms. Unlike big armchairs, benches can accommodate multiple people when needed.
During my son’s birthday party last year, we had three kiddos comfortably sitting on our living room bench while the adults took the sofa and chairs.
Benches are the ultimate flexible seating. They can fit along walls or behind sofas when not needed, then pull out for extra seating during gatherings.
So much more practical than those folding chairs that spend 364 days a year in your garage!
Place a Bench Near the Entryway
The transition zone between your entry and living room can be tricky to design. A bench bridges this gap beautifully!
In my house, we have this adorable little bench right where our entryway opens to the living room. It also gives rustic and boho feel to the entryway.
It serves so many purposes! It’s where we sit to take off shoes, where packages land when delivered, and it even helps define the boundary.
Add some hooks above it and a basket underneath, and you’ve got yourself a mini mudroom that doesn’t interrupt your living room flow.
It’s these little functional moments that make a house work better for real life.
Use the Bench in the Dining Area
Who says living room benches need to stay in the living room? Some of my favourite designs incorporate bench seating that serves both spaces!
Last summer, I helped a friend update her combined living-dining area.
We chose a gorgeous upholstered bench that normally lives along her living room wall. But when dinner guests arrive, she pulls it up to the dining table for instant extra seating! Her rectangular table now accommodates two more people than with chairs alone.
This works especially well with open floor plans. The bench visually connects both areas while pulling double duty functionally. Smart, right?
Pair the bench with a game table
For families who love game nights as much as mine does! This setup has brought us so many fun evenings.
For one of the client’s we tucked a rectangle game table with a bench into the corner of the living room.
The bench tucks mostly under the table when not in use, saving tons of space.
On game nights, it could be pulled out, just grab the other chairs from around the house, and have epic board game battles!
The bench seats 2-3 people, depending on size, making it much more efficient than individual chairs. Plus, kids seem to naturally gravitate toward bench seating.
Use the Bench as a Coffee Table Alternative
This trick completely changed how we used it in my client’s living room! Replacing the old coffee table with a cushioned bench was a total lightbulb moment.
Now, instead of just holding magazines and remote controls, the “coffee table” provides comfy extra seating when friends come over.
The kids can sit on it to play video games without hurting their backs hunched over. And yes, you can still place trays on it when needed, a hard surface for drinks or snacks!
Just make sure to choose a bench sturdy enough to handle both sitting and table functions.
Upholstered Benches to Match Your Decor
The fabric options for benches are absolutely endless, making them perfect for tying together your colour scheme!
When we redid my in-laws’ living room in blues and grays last year.
I found this perfect bench upholstered in a fabric that had both colours swirled together. It sits under the front window and ties the whole room together like it was made for the space.
You can go bold with patterns or keep it subtle with texture. Velvet benches add luxury, while linen keeps things casual and beachy.
Leather or faux leather options are great for homes with kids since they wipe clean so easily.
Conclusion
Isn’t it amazing how one simple piece of furniture can solve so many problems while making your space look gorgeous? Living room bench seating ideas are truly the unsung heroes of living room design!
Whether you’re struggling with limited space, need extra seating, want to define areas in an open floor plan, or just need to inject some personality into your room, a well-chosen bench might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Start by identifying what your room needs most. Extra seating? Storage? A style upgrade? Then find a bench that fits your space and addresses that need.
I promise it’ll quickly become one of the most used pieces in your home!
What about you guys? Have you tried using benches in your living spaces? I’d love to hear your ideas too!
