What Gives a Bench Mid-Century Styling?
Mid-century modern (MCM) style is almost always trending, and with good reason — it's a simple, functional look with a dash of minimalist inspiration. But makes a mid-century bench, well, mid-century?
"A mid-century bench should have a clean, simple design. This means that the bench should have straight lines and avoid any ornate details or embellishments," explains John Linden.
This description might not apply to all mid-century benches, but it's pretty accurate. Here are some other defining characteristics of mid-century modern styling:
- Straight, clean lines
- Minimalist style
- Natural base colors and warm wood tones (e.g., oak or walnut)
- Muted, subtle upholstery
- Interesting features (e.g., slanted legs or nailhead trim)
- Multifunctional furniture
- Vibrant pops of color
- Graphic shapes
- A blend of manufactured and natural materials
"I think most people would agree mid-century modern has some specific hallmarks like clean lines, minimalist, and natural base colors," said Allison Kersun. "If upholstered, typically the tone is muted and subtle, and the pieces have some element of surprise, like a curved or slanted leg, curving lines, and multiple uses."
How to Use a Mid-Century Bench in Your Home
"Benches are great additions to the entryway as a quick and comfortable place to sit to put shoes on, on your way out the door. They are also perfect for the end of the bed as a nice finishing touch and a place to sit and read or watch TV before bed," Toussaint Derby told Living Cozy.
"Benches are great additions to the entryway as a quick and comfortable place to sit to put shoes on, on your way out the door."
"Another favorite is adding a bench to the dining room table," continued Toussaint. "This can add color and fun to your dining space with the right fabric choice. Lastly, adding a bench under a window in a living room that doesn't have a lot of space for traditional seating can give you a window seat with a curated feel."
"Besides using a bench in an entryway or at the end of a bed, it can be used as a coffee table. I personally use the Gerrard Bench as my coffee table in my living room," added Allison Kersun.
Before we get to our favorite benches, here's a quick roundup of expert-approved options (plus a few of our own) for using a mid-century modern bench in your home:
- Entryway bench: A bench to sit on as you put on or remove shoes in your home's entryway — entryway benches also work well for making great first and last impressions with guests.
- Bedroom bench: A foot-of-bed bed bench for changing clothes, reading, or relaxing before bed makes it easy to elevate the space.
- Dining room bench: A dining bench can add seating, visual interest, and accessibility to a dining set or stylish dining table, bringing the whole room to life.
- Coffee table: A coffee table in the living room that can double as extra seating in a pinch. This can work well for large sectionals.
- Ottoman bench: An accent bench can serve as a footstool, seat, or impromptu coffee table in the living room, family room, or any other seating area.
- Outdoor seating: A teak bench makes an excellent outdoor seating option that can pair with other outdoor furniture to make your deck, patio, or yard more inviting.
- Storage bench: A bench with hidden storage is perfect for any of the above settings, allowing you to add extra storage space to the room or area.