Bench Or Console Table? Which Is Better For Your Entryway

Not sure what to do with your entryway? The biggest entryway design trends suggest a variety of elements, including statement pieces, rugs, greenery, and seating. How you style your foyer sets the tone when you have visitors, and adding the right furniture gives you a cozy, welcoming feeling when you arrive home since the space serves as a transition area for your family. But the items you put in your entryway also need to be functional for you and your guests, which is why you might consider adding pieces like benches or console tables.

Both options offer style and function, depending on how you use them. Benches add seating for people who are coming and going and could include storage, depending on what type you choose. Meanwhile, the wide variety of console tables available includes many key features, such as drawers and storage shelves, to meet your needs. Plus, tables offer lots of space to decorate and add your personal style to the space. Deciding which is best comes down to the available space you have and what your goals are for your entryway.

The seating aspect of a bench adds functionality to your entryway. Having a spot to sit feels welcoming and gives you and your guests a place to take shoes on and off comfortably. With a wide range of options, the style versatility allows you to change up the look of your entryway. Wood benches can create a warm, rustic look, for instance. Adding a bench to the entryway could make up for not having a mudroom by offering some of the same functions.

Benches often include storage, which is handy in a small entryway or in homes without coat closets. You might choose shoe storage benches to help you stay organized in style. Open shelving keeps shoes easily accessible when you're leaving, or you can opt for a bench with hidden shoe storage to keep a tidy appearance. Some benches come with baskets or bins that slide into compartments below the seat. If you choose a simple bench with open space underneath, you can add your own storage containers that fit under the bench. Another style of storage bench features hidden storage below the seat to give the seating a seamless look. The seat flips up to give you access to the hidden storage compartment, which keeps hats, mittens, and other items out of sight yet easily accessible.

Choosing a bench works well if you use the entrance frequently and leave your shoes near the door. The seating adds comfort and convenience in those situations. Benches are typically long enough to seat at least two people and thus might fit better in a larger entryway.

Console tables offer their own benefits, starting with the convenience of having a spot to place your keys, wallet, and other essentials that you take when you leave the house. Adding trays and other storage to the console table keeps those items together and prevents them from sliding off the table. When you need to leave the house in a hurry, you know right where to find those essentials. Some console tables offer built-in storage, such as drawers or shelves, where you can keep items out of sight for a clean, tidy look.

You can also decorate a console table with accessories to match your style. Start with a table design that fits your home's aesthetic. From there, you can add a lamp, basket, candles, and other decor pieces that create a beautiful, inviting look to greet your guests. A console table also pairs well with a large mirror or framed artwork on the wall.

Choosing a console table is ideal when your focus is on aesthetics and storage for small items. Console tables work well in small spaces as well as in long, narrow entryways to break up the space. If the space is large enough, you can combine a table and seating so you don't have to decide. Place a bench or ottoman next to the console table to enjoy the benefits of both. You can also slide one or more small ottomans underneath the table. When you need them, pull the ottomans out, and tuck them back under the table when you need more space.