Hall Tree With Bench

Your entryway hall tree with storage bench should be as long as it can be in your space with room to spare around the sides. Start by measuring your space. Narrow your search only to benches that are shorter than that length. For a good rule of thumb, consider that most hall trees range from 72 to 84 inches in length. The longer ones tend to have storage cubbies above, and the shorter ones tend to have coat hooks for vertical storage.

You can easily style an entry hall with a storage bench to add a decorative element as well as a functional one. Entryways are known as collection spots for shoes, discarded jackets, and various other items. They are also the first area a guest sees upon entering your home, so you’ll want to create a welcoming style here.

Storage benches come in various sizes and styles, so you’ll have several to choose from to fit your decor and intended use. An entryway hall tree with storage bench has a high back to allow for hanging items and often comes with open or closed shelves above for more storage.

For those that are just benches with storage underneath, you can add a shelf, wall hangers, or artwork in the bare space above to create a beautiful entryway.

Match the design style of your storage bench with your home’s decor and always keep it organized. Also, make sure it doesn't overwhelm or block your entry hall in any way. Balance its shape and size with the space you have available.

Shoe benches come in a few different types of materials. Below we'll cover which work best in different spaces.

Wood

The most common material you'll find in a shoe storage bench is wood. It's a sturdy material that holds weight, making it a good option for a bench design. Choose wood if you want a basic piece that can fit into almost any home style.

Wooden benches work best with rustic, mid-Century modern, vintage, French-country and cottage styles. Woodgrain finish will add unpretentious and organic warmth to any of the above styles, but you're not limited to these.

Choose wood with white coating if you have a light contemporary color scheme and a solid painted neutral color like brown or tan for timeless and transitional homes.

Metal

Another type of material you'll find in a shoe storage bench is metal. Metal benches are great in industrial, modern or minimalistic homes. Often, these have a metal frame that features a certain design, such as a bronzed appearance or black finish.

A combination of metal and wood is also a popular choice that perfectly emphasises the beauty of sleek interiors. For a touch of elegance, choose a metal frame topped with a leather upholstered seat.

Upholstery

You can also find storage benches lined with fabric. Sometimes the whole bench is lined in a fabric style or it's just topped with a fabric cushion. Fabric benches look best when you are attempting to match furniture or want a timeless transitional style. Velvet is a popular fabric option and will add an elegant touch to your space, whereas vinyl or leather are easiest to clean and this option may be a great choice for a family with young children.

Wicker

Wicker baskets are also a common material you can find as part of a shoe storage bench. These often sit in a cubby under the seating area and slide out. Wicker baskets look great in rustic or classic homes. Benches made entirely of wicker are the perfect choice for coastal style homes.

You might be surprised to learn that shoe storage benches can get quite creative in how they allow you to store shoes. Below we'll look at some of the most common organizational styles to choose from and in what situations they work best.

• Cubbies: One of the most common styles you'll see is the cubby system. Almost always open on the front, these tend to have smaller individual compartments to store pairs of shoes. Choose this design if you like the idea of separating shoes from each other, when you have smaller pairs of shoes and want them easily accessible.
• Shelves: Another very common style you'll see is the shelf system. Often, these shelves have different heights. Choose this type if you have tall boots or heels to store.
• Lid: Sometimes a shoe storage bench opens to reveal space to store shoes, often in a cubby system. Choose this option if you have a very sleek home style and want the shoes completely hidden. Just remember that it's one of the least convenient options to access your shoes.
• It's best to look for benches with built-in removable dividers. These create multiple slots for your shoes, and if you remove them, you end up with a great bedroom chest for storing blankets or extra bedding.
• Fold-out: These have a type of compartment that folds up and down to reveal shelves where you place the shoes. This is another type you should choose if you want the shoes hidden when not in use, but you want the organizational ease of a fold-down system where you can easily view the shoes.
• Bins: Another way to hide shoes for sleeker home styles is the bin system. The bins slide out if you need to grab shoes. Getting a style with larger bins can be good for storing larger shoes, like boot styles.