Bench Coat Rack

Bench coat racks come in various styles, including traditional, contemporary, industrial, and old-style.

A traditional bench coat rack can instantly make your hallway more inviting and functional with its classy moldings and useful features, such as cubic compartments and coat hooks.

Alternatively, bench coat racks in contemporary style sport a simplistic but functional and versatile design. The clean, straight lines of these pieces bring a touch of subtle elegance to most, if not, all home aesthetics.

Another option is old-style bench coat racks with an antique finish. The timeless, vintage appeal of this style can enhance any room it is placed in.

If you’re looking to add a bold statement to a minimalist entryway design, an industrial bench coat rack is a great choice. Pieces in this style generally feature a combination of wooden and metal elements which brings character and visual interest to the space.

Coat racks are found in almost every household since they are essential for easily hanging up your coats, hats, and scarves. However, the only thing better than a coat rack is a bench coat rack. So not only do you have coat hanging space but seating space as well.

Depending on the size and design of your bench coat rack, you may be able to hang up anywhere between 4 to 7 coats at once. The bonus with bench coat racks is they come with storage space in the bench area for shoes and other items you'll want to have neatly tucked away.

Benches are a fantastic way to add more storage or seating space to a room without obstructing the view of any existing furniture. They work well in entryways, children's playrooms, master bedrooms, and anywhere else that needs an extra place to sit.

Benches are available in a variety of sizes, with or without storage features. They use a number of different materials and fabrics, so you can find one to match any décor. Here are the most important features to look for when shopping for a bench.

Benches with overhead storage typically have hooks or shelves around 48" off the ground to keep items accessible for both adults and children. However, this can vary widely depending on who the bench is designed for. Look closely at the product description and choose** benches with lower shelves 36" - 44" off the ground for easier access for children**.

• Stainless steel is frequently used forbench frames and legs. This often allows the bench to have a high weight limit, which is especially helpful for storage benches.

• Aluminum is lighter than steel but isn't as strong. It's an excellent choice for benches that don't need high weight capacity or need to be moved frequently.

• Manufactured wood is common for frames, legs, and seats. It is made from glued and layered wood, which makes it more affordable than solid wood. It is moderately strong and can last for years if protected from the elements with a weatherproof coating.

• Solid wood is an excellent choice for heirloom pieces. It is heavy but often has a high weight limit.

• Resin is uncommon in indoor benches but may be used in benches that are also rated for outdoor use as it is water-resistant, durable, and easy to clean.

• Wicker does not support very much weight but can be a great choice if it is reinforced with metal or wood. Plastic or resin imitation wicker is more durable and requires less maintenance. Check the weight limit on wicker benches closely before buying.

Not all benches are upholstered, but both standard and storage benches are available in upholstered varieties. Make sure to look for fabrics that are treated with stain repellents. Though some fabrics naturally keep most stains away, stain repellent treatments are an excellent way to protect your investment.

• Tweed makes an excellent fabric because it is durable and moisture resistant. However, it can be uncomfortable for prolonged sitting as it has a rough quality.

• Velvet provides a good balance of style, softness, and durability. It is an excellent choice for master bedrooms.

• Polyester is durable, stain-resistant, and easy to spot clean. It is available in a variety of colors, so it's an excellent choice for children's bedrooms and playrooms.

• Linen can be soft but is not as naturally hard-wearing and stain resistant as polyester. Sometimes it is blended with polyester for a better balance of durability and softness.

• Entryways and mudrooms should feature a bench in a darker color that helps hide any dirt that gets tracked in. This is particularly true for benches with shoe cubbies, as these will gather grime quickly.

• Wicker in natural colors works great in sunrooms with wood walls and lots of windows showing off the backyard. Pair it with other wicker or wood furniture in a similar tone to complete the look.

• White, gray, or dark neutrals work well in master and guest bedrooms. Any wood or metal legs on the bench should coordinate with the legs or frames of other furniture in the room.

• Choose a colorful bench for a child's playroom. If stains or dirt are a concern, pick a fabric that's easy to spot-clean or is a deeper color like navy blue or forest green. Jewel tones age well with the child, so they may be a better choice than pastels.

Storage benches are ideal for storing an assortment of items in a variety of sizes, but the style of storage bench you need depends on what items your plan to store and the proposed location of the bench. Some common storage options include:

Flip-top storage

Flip-top storage requires the user to lift the seat, making it a great storage solution for items not used often, or for temporary seating in entryways and outdoor areas. Most flip-top storage is long and wide enough to store tennis rackets, roller skates, and bulky outdoor items, making them incredibly versatile.

Cubbies

These divided shelves are an excellent choice for storing shoes and other small items underneath the seat. The open design also makes them suitable for displaying keepsake items and accent pieces.

Shelves

A shelf underneath the seat offers you the flexibility to store long and bulky items or customize your storage system with baskets and boxes. Choose a slatted shelf for storing shoes as the airflow will prevent a build-up of dirt and odors.

Cabinets

Cabinets make a great choice if you need to store unsightly items like cables, recreational gear, or tools. Cabinets come with either hinged or sliding doors, helping you to save space in a compact room.

Baskets

Often combined with cubbies and used in place of drawers, baskets are both a stylish and functional option that works well with country or bohemian homes. They are the right choice for storing small items, toys, or extra bed linens, making them suitable for bedrooms, playrooms, and offices.

Hooks

Benches may also include coat hooks or small shelves attached above the bench. These hooks and shelves usually have low weight limits but are good for hats, jackets, backpacks, and handbags.

The weight limit on benches varies, but many can hold around 250 lbs. If you need two people to be able to sit on the bench at one time, look for a weight limit of at least 300 lbs. The weight limit includes the weight of any goods stored inside the bench, so avoid storing very heavy items inside if people will be sitting on it.

Benches that are made of manufactured wood or metal are usually easy to clean. A damp cloth with soap and water is usually sufficient to remove dirt and stains. Make sure to double-check the manufacturer's specifications, as some harsh cleaning chemicals can damage manufactured wood or metal finishes.

Upholstered benches can usually be spot-cleaned or vacuumed but may require a little more effort than manufactured wood or metal. Fabric-covered benches may be a better fit for bedrooms and offices instead of mudrooms.

Fabric-covered benches are the most child-safe option, especially if they have rounded corners and cushioning. If fabric is not an option due to cleaning concerns, look for wooden benches with rounded edges and corners.

Tip overs are generally not a concern with benches unless they have tall shelving on top. Benches with overhead shelving should be secured to the wall with anchors. Even if there is almost no chance of the unit itself tipping over, top shelves can wobble and cause objects to fall if the shelf supports are not secured to the wall.

Some benches with storage built into the seats have heavy lids that can pinch children's fingers. Avoid using these benches in areas with toddlers. School-age children can typically be trusted to open and close these benches, but children under 5 should be supervised until they have had some practice.

• Look for benches that are around 18" tall and deep for comfortable seating. Though some benches are less than 40", look for benches at least 48" wide for optimal storage or seating.

• Metal and manufactured wood provide strong and sturdy core materials. Fabric coverings make a bench more comfortable but may not be easy to clean. Resin and wicker are uncommon but can be great options if reinforced.

• Tweed, velvet, polyester and linen blends are all excellent choices overall. Linen and velvet are softer, but tweed and polyester are more durable.

• Choose a medium or dark hue for entryways or children's playrooms, where dirt and stains may be a concern. Save whites and light neutrals for bedrooms. Wicker makes a beautiful addition to sunrooms.

• Storage benches are available in a variety of styles, including flip-top storage and storage cubbies. Also, try benches with attached shelves or hooks overhead.

• Most benches hold 250 lbs., but some hold more or less. This weight limit includes items stored inside.

• Upholstered benches are usually stain-resistant but may still require more careful cleaning than wood or metal benches.

• Benches are not a major tip-over hazard, but toddlers may pinch their fingers in flip-top bench lids. Look for benches with lightweight lids and rounded corners or upholstery for child safety.

• Benches that are rated for indoor use should be kept inside and not used on patios. However, some benches are designed for use either indoors or outdoors, and these can be placed anywhere.