Bench for Living Room With Storage: Size Guide

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Choose a living room storage bench by its size and by how you will use the lid. The three compared here are a 35 inch fabric box bench (13 by 35 by 13 inches), a 47.2 inch wooden chest (15.7 by 47.2 by 19.5 inches, 220 pound weight capacity) and a 31.5 inch steel-frame bench (15.7 by 31.5 by 15.7 inches, 770 pound rating, 76 liter compartment). The wooden chest is the longest and sits the highest. Only the steel-frame bench states the inside size of its compartment. Measure the wall, the sofa gap and how far you will open the lid.

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
35-INCH Storage Ottoman Bench, Footrest with Storage, End of Bed Bench Coffee…	13 × 35 × 13 in; seat height 13 in	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
HOOBRO Storage Bench, 47.2″ Wooden Toy Box, Toy Chest with Safety Hinge,…	47.2 × 15.7 × 19.5 in; 220 pounds weight capacity	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
ABHENG Storage Ottoman Bench Steel Frame Synthetic Leather Cover with Legs,…	15.7 × 31.5 × 15.7 in; 770 pounds	See details on Amazon Affiliate link

What a living room storage bench does

In a living room the clutter is soft and small: throws, cushions, controllers, kids’ toys, board games. A storage bench takes that clutter and gives you a surface back. It can sit under a window, at the end of a sofa, along a wall as extra seating or in front of the sofa as a low table.

It is not a shelf. You cannot see what is inside, so it suits things you reach for occasionally. It also is not a place for heavy or fragile items; a bench lid takes the weight of a person, and anything fragile inside is under that weight.

The three benches we compare

Snuvid 35 inch storage ottoman bench

The Snuvid bench is listed at 13 inches deep, 35 inches wide and 13 inches high, with a wood base and an Oxford cloth top, in beige. The bullets describe a double-grid, collapsible design, a four-layer exterior with linen-look fabric, foam and a non-woven lining over MDF panels with metal corner guards. They also describe a split lid that opens on one side while you sit on the other. The listing gives no weight rating in the listing data, so check the page. It is the lowest of the three at 13 inches, which suits a footrest or the end of a bed more than a seat.

HOOBRO 47.2 inch wooden storage bench

The HOOBRO bench is listed at 47.2 inches long, 15.7 inches deep and 19.5 inches high, weighing 42.5 pounds, in particleboard and MDF with a white and walnut finish. The bullets say it has a flip-top compartment and a cabinet, a safety hinge with cushioned rubber pads, two metal handles and a weight capacity of 220 pounds, and describe it as a toy box that doubles as a bench, a side table or a bedside table. It is a toy chest by design, so check the lid hinge and fit if children will use it. It has the largest footprint of the three.

ABHENG steel-frame storage ottoman bench

The ABHENG bench is listed at 15.7 inches deep, 31.5 inches wide and 15.7 inches high, weighing 15.4 pounds, with an alloy steel frame, engineered wood panels and a synthetic leather top. The listing gives a maximum weight recommendation of 770 pounds, and the bullets describe a 76 liter compartment measuring 30 inches wide, 14.2 inches deep and 11 inches high, with a 2 inch foam cushion on the lid. The assembly is described as six steps with one type of screw. It is the only one of the three with a stated inside size, so it is the one you can plan with.

Size: what fits where

Three measurements matter: depth, length and height.

Depth

Depth is how far the bench sticks into the room. The benches here are 13 to 15.7 inches deep, which is not much. A bench that is 15.7 inches deep leaves most of the floor free, but it still cuts into a narrow path.

Length

Length decides where it fits. A bench of 31.5 or 35 inches fits at the end of a sofa or under a small window. A bench of 47.2 inches suits a wall between two doors or the front of a larger sofa.

Height

Seat height is easiest to judge against a chair you like. The ABHENG lists a seat height of 15.7 inches and the Snuvid 13 inches, which are low and suit a footrest. The HOOBRO is 19.5 inches high, which is nearer to a standard seat. If the bench is also your coffee table, check that the height works with your sofa seat; measure the sofa seat and compare.

Storage: inside space

Listings often describe storage in vague words such as “ample space”. The only inside size here is the ABHENG at 30 by 14.2 by 11 inches, which is 76 liters. The HOOBRO bullets say it has a flip-top compartment plus a cabinet, but no sizes appear in the listing data. The Snuvid is described as a double-grid layout, but the listing does not give compartment sizes. To get a sense of capacity, fold a blanket and measure it, then compare it with the inside size.

Worked example: a living room with a bench wall

The bench wall is 96 inches long. We check each direction separately.

Depth direction (from the bench wall toward the sofa):

• HOOBRO, 15.7 in deep. 120 in minus 15.7 in equals 104.3 in.
• 104.3 in minus 36 in for the sofa equals 68.3 in of floor left between the bench and the sofa.

We use 36 inches as a planning yardstick for a path walked every day (the US Access Board gives 36 inches as a minimum accessible-route width for public buildings). 68.3 in minus 36 in equals 32.3 in to spare.

Length direction (along the bench wall):

• HOOBRO, 47.2 in long. 96 in minus 47.2 in equals 48.8 in of wall left in total.
• If the bench is centered, 48.8 in divided by 2 equals 24.4 in on each side.

Or, with two smaller benches:

• Snuvid 35 in plus ABHENG 31.5 in. 35 in plus 31.5 in equals 66.5 in.
• 96 in minus 66.5 in equals 29.5 in left in total, and 29.5 in divided by 3 equals 9.83 in per gap if you split it between both ends and the middle.

The single long bench leaves one clear stretch. The two small benches give two compartments but leave narrow gaps. Check the lid swing: open the lid fully before you place the bench, so it does not hit the wall or a window sill.

Lids and safety

A heavy lid can close on fingers. The HOOBRO lists a safety hinge with cushioned rubber pads, and the Snuvid describes a split lid that opens in two halves. The ABHENG bullets say you remove the lid to reach the compartment, so check how the lid sits. If you have small children, favor a slow-closing hinge. Do not stand on a bench lid unless the listing states a load that covers your weight, and keep in mind that the listing figure is the seller’s claim.

Materials and cleaning

Fabric tops, such as the Oxford cloth on the Snuvid, are soft but pick up spills and pet hair. A synthetic leather top, as on the ABHENG, wipes clean. The HOOBRO is particleboard and MDF, so keep it away from standing water. Whatever the top, wipe up spills fast, and give each bench space at the back so air can circulate.

Who should buy a living room storage bench

• Small-space households that need seating and storage in one piece.
• Families with toys or throws to hide.
• Renters who want freestanding storage.

Who should skip it

• Anyone who needs to see what is stored. Benches are closed.
• People with tight paths. Even 13 inches matters in a narrow room.
• Buyers who need a firm, high seat. These benches are low.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ignoring lid swing. Open it in the space before you buy.
• Treating a toy chest as a standard bench without checking the hinge.
• Assuming “ample storage” means a size. Ask for inside dimensions.
• Placing the bench in front of a door or radiator.

Checklist before you buy

• Measure the wall length and the floor depth.
• Subtract the bench depth and compare with 36 inches.
• Check the inside size or capacity of the compartment.
• Check the weight rating and what it covers.
• Decide on the top: fabric, synthetic leather or wood.

Keep reading

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

• End Tables for Living Room: Size and Placement
• Dining Room Table With Bench: Size and Seating Guide
• Leather End of Bed Bench: Size, Material and Storage

Frequently asked questions

How big should a living room storage bench be?

It depends on the wall. The benches here run from 31.5 to 47.2 inches long and 13 to 15.7 inches deep. Subtract the depth from your floor and keep at least 36 inches clear as a planning yardstick.

How much can a storage bench hold?

Only the ABHENG states the inside size, 76 liters, or 30 by 14.2 by 11 inches. For the others, check the listing or measure what you want to store.

Can I sit on a storage bench?

Yes, within the weight rating. The HOOBRO lists 220 pounds and the ABHENG 770 pounds. The Snuvid lists none in the listing data.

Is a storage bench the same as an ottoman?

The Snuvid and ABHENG listings call themselves ottoman benches, while the HOOBRO is a wood chest. All three store things under a lid.

Where do I put a storage bench in a small living room?

Under a window, at the end of the sofa or along the wall between doors. Keep the lid swing and the 36 inch path in mind.

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.

How we research our guides