In an Entryway
Benches were made for entryways. They're the ideal seat for putting on your shoes, but when they have added storage, they can neatly house your umbrellas, rain boots, grocery bags and other totes while keeping this small space tidy.
Hidden Storage
Is the Best Storage
A stylish solution for homes of all sizes
What’s something that every home needs, no matter the size? More storage. It seems that storage is like money—it doesn't matter how much you have, you could always use just a little more, right? That's why storage benches are so damn useful. They not only offer extra seating in all the right places, they allow you to quickly and efficiently store the kind of things you need out of the way but quickly accessible.
Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer, co-founders of luxury home organizing company the NEAT Method, swear by them. Why? They say that the best storage benches are completely customizable to the space you are looking to fill—they can work in a myriad of rooms and be reworked often to help reorganize a space. A stylish bench could work by your front door, and then later be moved to the foot of your bed or maybe under a window. You can even use it as a long, lean coffee table. The Valet. team scoured the market to find the best options to buy today, depending on your needs. Of course, feel free to move them around as you please. That's the whole point.
The Best Storage
Benches in 2023
Crafted from solid English walnut, the cushioned seat slides over to reveal a large cubby while open shelving is sized perfectly for shoes.
Storage bench,
$1,325 by LAXseries
A beveled front and tapered legs give this a mid-century feel, while the fold-down cabinet door keeps shoes and bags out of sight.
Shoe storage bench,
$649 by West Elm
A sliding solid wood door allows you to show-off (and hide) what you want. Plus, a thick cushion adds extra comfort.
Nederin bench,
$699 by Article
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In a Bedroom
A bench at the end of the bed is a classic move. It finishes a space nicely, but the added storage also makes for an ideal place to store any extra linens. If you don't have much storage space for clothing, these benches have drawers to keep your shirts and underwear neatly filed away.
Inspired by a vintage piece, this sleek bench has an soft, integrated cushion and two spacious drawers.
Williams storage bench,
$570 by All Modern
With one deep and two shallow drawers, this sculptural bench offers a dresser's worth of storage in a low profile.
Quincy storage bench,
$698 by Anthropologie
This low-slung bench has replicated cerused oak grain and is accented with brushed nickel-tone pulls on the two wide drawers.
Juan storage bench,
$202.99 by Soundstone
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Extra Seating
These benches are finished on all sides, meaning you can have them floating in a room. Use them as a divider or as a long, lean coffee table alternative. They're perfect for media storage and can be pulled up as extra seating for when guests arrive. Speaking of which, the large storage spaces provide an easy place to toss all the things you don't want people to see.
With an understated louvered design, you would never know that this is hiding everything you don't want anyone to see.
Line storage bench,
$1,995 by Nathan Yong for Design Within Reach
Constructed like an oversized ottoman, this tufted leather bench works as seating or even as a coffee table.
Senja leather bench,
$594 by Poly & Bark
Upholstered in rich, worn leather and grounded with a sandblasted solid oak base, this adds texture along with plenty of storage within a 54-inch frame.
French contemporary storage bench,
$3,890 by RH
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Textural
Sometimes you want a piece to make a statement. These textural benches, covered in fuzzy fabrics, do just that. Incredibly on trend, you don't want to spend too much since you might not want them forever, but they sure look good now.
A minimalist take on the fleece furniture trend, blackened steel legs add a nice contrast. Plus, it opens like a large trunk.
Teddy storage bench,
$219.99 by MCombo
A nubby boucle fabric with a ridged art deco design adds a contemporary feel to a room while offering a discreet spot to stash your stuff.
Jaymie upholstered bench,
$840 by All Modern
A deep bench with two oversized ash wood legs. The boucle fabric is softer than most and the storage compartment measures a whopping 56 inches long.
Morje storage bench,
$540 by Joss & Main
Organizing on the Mind
Now that you’re tidying up, consider organizing your closet. It could use it, right? We asked professional organizers and interior designers for their go-to rules for an optimized closet.
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