Entryway Bench: Size, Depth and Seat Guide

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For a small entry, choose the bench by depth first. The three benches compared here are 11, 12.2 and 13 inches deep, and 27.5, 31.9 and 35.4 inches wide. An entryway bench gives you a place to sit while you put on shoes, and many include a shelf below for the shoes themselves. A cushioned shoe bench seats the most comfortably, a shoe-rack bench stores the most, and a plain slatted bench is the simplest. Measure your entry first, keep a 36 inch path as a planning yardstick and check what each listing says about shelves.

Quick compare: the products in this guide

Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.

Product	Listed details	Link
Pipishell 3 Tier Bamboo Shoe Rack Bench for Entryway	11 × 27.5 × 17.5 in; 300 pounds	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
SONGMICS Shoe Bench, Storage Bench, Entryway Bench with Cushion	12.2 × 31.9 × 19.3 in; 300 pounds static load	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
Bamboo Dining Bench, 35” Slatted Design Entryway Bench	13 × 35.4 × 17 in; 500 pounds	See details on Amazon Affiliate link

What an entryway bench does

Putting on shoes while standing is awkward, particularly with laces, boots or a child on your hip. A bench solves that. It also gives a surface to set a bag down, and the shelf below keeps shoes off the floor. In a small entry, a bench can replace a shoe rack, a stool and a small table.

A bench is not a coat solution. For coats, you need hooks or a rack on the wall above. And it is not a full storage unit; if you need closed storage for hats, gloves and scarves, a bench with cubbies or a cabinet suits you better.

The three benches we compare

Pipishell bamboo shoe rack bench, three tiers

The Pipishell bench is listed at 11 inches deep, 27.5 inches wide and 17.5 inches high, in brown bamboo with three shelves. The listing states a weight recommendation of 300 pounds and says the bench holds up to that amount. One field gives the seat height as 17.5 centimeters, which would be about 6.9 inches, and conflicts with the 17.5 inch height; the 17.5 inch figure is the sensible one. The listing says the assembly takes a few minutes with illustrated instructions. This is the narrowest of the three, which suits a short wall.

SONGMICS shoe bench with cushion

The SONGMICS bench is listed at 12.2 inches deep, 31.9 inches wide and 19.3 inches high, weighing 15.7 pounds. The frame is powder-coated steel, the bullets say the maximum static load is 300 pounds, and the cushion is 2 inches thick foam with a linen cover. The seating capacity field says 2. The listing says it holds up to 8 pairs of shoes on two tiers, while a structured field says three shelves, so check how many shelves the model has. It is the most comfortable seat of the three.

Toolola slatted bamboo bench

The Toolola bench is listed at 13 inches deep, 35.4 inches wide and 17 inches high, weighing 13.7 pounds, in natural bamboo. The listing says it seats two people and that it has stainless steel screws and a weight recommendation of 500 pounds. It has no shoe shelf in the listing data; it is a plain bench with widened slats, described as suitable for an entryway, the foot of a bed or a dining area. The listing mentions treatment for waterproof performance and use outdoors, but give it a covered spot to be safe.

Depth, width and seat height

Three measurements decide how the bench works in a small entry.

Depth

Depth decides how much path you lose. The benches here are 11 to 13 inches deep, a small difference that matters when the hall is narrow. The Access Board guidance on protruding objects says an object whose leading edge is 27 inches or lower can protrude any amount, while objects between 27 and 80 inches may protrude at most 4 inches. All three of these benches are under 20 inches high, so they fall below that line. That is for public buildings, and it is a reminder that low furniture is easier to walk around than high furniture.

Width

Width decides how many people can sit and where you put the bench along the wall. The SONGMICS and Toolola listings say 2.

Seat height

The heights here are 17 inches and 19.3 inches. A seat at the height of your lower leg is easiest to get on and off. If you have trouble standing up, a slightly higher seat is easier, while a lower seat is harder. The SONGMICS cushion is 2 inches thick, but the 19.3 inch height figure may or may not include it, so check the listing.

Worked example: a 54 inch wide entry hall

The entry hall is 54 inches wide, wall to wall, and 84 inches long (7 ft). The bench goes against one long wall. The 54 inch direction is the width of the hall, and the 84 inch direction is its length. We check each separately.

Width direction (the path across the hall):

• SONGMICS, 12.2 in deep. 54 in minus 12.2 in equals 41.8 in of path left.
• Pipishell, 11 in deep. 54 in minus 11 in equals 43 in of path left.
• Toolola, 13 in deep. 54 in minus 13 in equals 41 in of path left.

All three leave more than 36 in, which we use as a planning yardstick for a path walked every day. The tightest is the Toolola at 41 in, and 41 in minus 36 in equals 5 in to spare. A person sitting on the bench puts their feet out further, so the path shrinks while someone is sitting. So the entry is tight while someone is putting on shoes, which is normal for a small hall.

Length direction (along the wall):

• SONGMICS, 31.9 in wide. 84 in minus 31.9 in equals 52.1 in of wall left in total.
• Toolola, 35.4 in wide. 84 in minus 35.4 in equals 48.6 in left.

The leftover wall length is for hooks, a mirror or a narrow shelf. Mount hooks on the wall above the bench, and the coats hang over the seat.

Shoe storage: how many pairs

The SONGMICS listing says 8 pairs. If you share the entry with a family of four who each own several pairs, the bench stores only the daily ones. The Pipishell bench has three tiers, but the data we have does not give a pair count, so check the listing. Plan on storing off-season shoes elsewhere.

With three tiers, that is about six pairs on shelves. That estimate is rough, since boots are wider.

Material and comfort

Bamboo is light, hard and resists moisture better than some woods. The Pipishell and Toolola benches are bamboo. Bamboo can scratch, and the finish can wear at the edges. The SONGMICS bench has a metal frame with a linen-covered foam cushion. Fabric cushions pick up dirt from shoes and rain, so choose a cover that can be wiped or spot cleaned. The listing does not say the cover is removable, so check.

A bench with a wooden seat feels hard after a few minutes, but it takes less care. A cushioned bench is more comfortable for putting on boots, particularly for older people.

Placement and safety

Do not place a bench in front of a door that opens inward unless you have measured the swing. A door that hits the bench will scratch both. Keep the area in front of the bench free of loose mats that can slide. For anyone with balance problems, put the bench against a wall and make sure the seat does not slide.

A bench with a weight rating of 300 or 500 pounds is not meant to be stood on. Use a step stool for reaching high shelves.

Who should buy an entryway bench

• Apartment residents with a short entry.
• Families who need a place to put on shoes.
• People with a short wall who need seat and storage in one piece.

Who should skip it

• Anyone with a very narrow hall. If the path is already close to 36 in, a bench will block it.
• Those who need a lot of shoe storage. A small bench holds a few pairs.
• People who want closed storage. These benches are open.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Measuring the wall but not the path. Always subtract the depth from the hall width.
• Ignoring conflicting fields. The Pipishell seat height and the SONGMICS shelf count both need checking.
• Forgetting the door swing. Open the door fully before you place the bench.
• Choosing a bench for outdoor use inside. Fine, but use mats under wet shoes.

Checklist before you buy

• Measure the hall width and subtract the bench depth.
• Compare the result with 36 inches.
• Decide between a shelf bench and a plain bench.
• Check the seat height and whether the cushion adds to it.
• Plan hooks above the bench.

Keep reading

These guides cover related picks and sizing checks for a small space.

• Best Cabinet Bench Seat for Small Entryways
• Shoe Shelf Bench for an Entryway: Size Guide
• Bench Coat Tree: Size Guide for Small Entryways

Frequently asked questions

How deep should an entryway bench be?

In a small entry, 11 to 13 inches is common among the benches here. Subtract the depth from your hall width and make sure at least 36 inches remains as a planning yardstick.

How wide should an entryway bench be?

Choose a width that leaves room for hooks or a mirror. A bench of 27.5 inches seats one person, and the 31.9 and 35.4 inch benches are described as seating two.

Should I choose a cushioned or hard bench?

A cushioned bench is more comfortable. A hard bench is easier to clean. Think about how long you will sit.

How many shoes does an entryway bench hold?

The SONGMICS listing says 8 pairs. For the others, check the listing or use the width estimate above.

Can I use an entryway bench outdoors?

The Toolola listing says it is treated for outdoor use, but the other two do not say so in the listing data.

Products worth checking

We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.

Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.

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