Any bench can provide extra seating, but it takes the right one to also provide comfort, character, and style. Luckily, a bench with a back is up to the challenge!
These benches have all the style of a regular bench. However, the extra support that the backing provides is a game-changer. The addition of a back means it can be used comfortably for longer periods, which is great for places like the dining room. This style also tends to be a sturdier choice for households with kids. Want to give your decor a unique edge? Use a bench in place of other furniture like a sofa table or footboards. Or DIY your own bench with a back out of an armoire or vintage window frame—like in the collection below.
A bench with a back can benefit any home. And once you find the right one, both your decor and booty will thank you!
For a bench that is farmhouse chic and functional, you can’t go wrong with a wood build. A simple design with a gray or whitewashed finish is ideal for cultivating a contemporary or beach house feel.
Prefer something with a vintage vibe? Look for a wood finish with red or orange undertones. This simple farmhouse bench ties in with the vintage motif but still allows the collection of other vintage pieces to shine.
Benches with side panels, like this one, are a bulkier choice. But they have a distinct farmhouse feel. Try matching the bench color to the wall behind it to make it visually recede if you are worried about your bench looking out of place.
If you want a bench to pop at any point, you can always enhance it with colorful seasonal decor or accessories. For example, a collection of pumpkins makes this sitting area cheerful and dog-approved!
Add a bench to a dining table to create seating and contrast, as this home did. Choosing a bench with a back will ensure your dinner guests are comfortable and supported while they chow down.
Extra storage and seating? Yes, please! This stained bench does double duty with a place to grab a seat and stash away odds and ends (Triple duty if you count how fabulous it looks!). If you’re looking for inspiration to build your own bench, you can easily mimic the backrest and front plate with colonial-style cupboard doors.
For benches that don’t have storage, slide a few baskets underneath. Adding baskets underneath a bench is a terrific solution to conceal unsightly clutter like outdoor wear.
You can always hang a vintage window on a wall to create some intrigue. Or you can use it as a backing for a bench to create a unique and airy design. Vintage finds are often a designer’s best friend when decorating farmhouse homes, so don’t be afraid to get creative!
Find the perfect bench and wondering what to pair with it? Check out thrift shops and antique markets for one-of-a-kind finds. The painting hanging above this bench not only matches perfectly, but it only costed the owner $2!
The only thing better than one frame over a bench is multiple! The beauty of gallery walls is that each one is unique, and they can be created with almost any wall decor.
A blend of metal and wood gives this bench an industrial vibe. The farmhouse ladder displaying a collection of amber bottles makes it all the more alluring.
Just because it didn’t start off as a bench doesn’t mean it can’t be one! Often unconventional objects turned into benches end up being the most wow-worthy. This old armoire turned into a farmhouse bench is an excellent example of how eye-catching and unique upcycled vintage pieces can be.
This unique DIY bench doesn’t require any fancy tools to build—it uses three vintage school chairs pushed together to create one bench. The long pillow stretching across the seats makes it feel all the more connected.
The simplicity of this bench’s build and its black hue make it a great base to build upon with almost any farmhouse style. While the yellow makes this setup feel vibrant and whimsical, the same bench is used below in a more refined and sophisticated setup.
This contemporary nook doesn’t need color to impress with its monochromatic color palette that relies on bold contrast, pattern, and texture to keep things interesting. The rug slipped under the bench helps ground the display and adds an extra layer of coziness.
Another bench that uses a rug to stay grounded. Slipping a rug under a bench can help define the area, which is especially important in open concept homes like the one above.
Wood is a go-to for adding warmth to a room, but an upholstered bench is another cozy and inviting option. Small details like its tufted back, rolled arms, and creamy beige fabric make ones like this dreamy for French cottage spaces. However, if you love the plush upholstery but crave something more minimal, you may want to try an upholstered bench with square arms and no tufting.
While other styles of decor may view scuffs, wear, and tear as a downside, the beauty of farmhouse homes is that they embrace the beauty of imperfections. So, a farmhouse bench that is a little rough around the edges maybe just the showpiece a room needs!
Vintage benches are some of the most captivating with their unique shapes and timeworn features. However, if the finish is a little too rough for your taste, a coat of paint or two can make a bench look as good as new!
Consider throwing a few pillows on a distressed bench to balance worn and refined elements. For a DIY distressed bench finish, try covering the edges with wax before painting to create a distressed finish (paint won’t adhere to the wax, allowing the original finish to show through on those spots). No wax? Another option is to use sandpaper to distress spots after painting.
The scrolling leaves and floral cushions on this bench make it an effortless fit for a sunroom. Try pairing a metal bench with rattan furniture or accessories if you want to soften the look or are going for a more natural vibe.
Use a bench on the porch or patio for an extra seating option with farmhouse flair. Wooden outdoor pieces tend to get a gorgeous worn finish over the years from being exposed to the elements. Fit one with a few pillows to make it extra stylish and welcoming.
A farmhouse bench with a back is a superb alternative to a footboard! This distressed beauty infuses this bedroom with extra seating and acts as a visual extension of the bed.
Benches with rounded corners are great for bedrooms since there are no sharp corners to bump into, and the soft curves offer a relaxed aesthetic. I adore how the vintage windows flanking the bed mimic the curves of the oval bench shown here.
Instead of a sofa table, this cozy cottage farmhouse slips a bench behind the sofa.
A simple wood bench with a spindle back tends to work well in most spaces. Their open backs and clean lines give them a light and airy feel ideal for Scandinavian-style spaces. Plus, you can easily build upon them. In this farmhouse entryway, a basket is slipped underneath and pillows are added to bulk it out.
A spindle back bench in a natural wood tone tends to have a more traditional feel. In this home, it helps tie in the stunning display of antique mirrors. However, it is also offset with black accents, patterned throw pillows, and a large potted fiddle leaf fig to give the space a modern edge.
A white bench gives this home office nook a fresh and unique look. A setup like this would also work great as a spot for kids to do their homework. Farmhouse benches with backs are truly overflowing with versatility!
Written by We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. See our full disclosures here. The chicest way to inject an instant update into your home is with one of these black-and-white living room ideas. Pare back on color schemes that
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