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Decorating with Benches Indoors

Typically when you think of benches you think of benches at parks, dug out benches at baseball games and garden benches in the garden. But what about the idea of incorporating outdoor benches inside your home. Benches used in your home can be a definite plus. Using benches in a unique way really gives character and personality to your space. They instantly give you more seating and more placement options because they are lighter than a typical sofa or love seat. Benches are so versatile they can be used in your indoor space many different ways.

1. Kitchens, Breakfast areas, and Dining Rooms

I’ve seen benches used in breakfast areas near windows or in big kitchens that have window nooks. They make instant window seats which certainly can help your budget because they can mimic window seat functionality without the cost of having one built in. A cast iron Midas Regal Bench would be a perfect choice for this area along with throw pillows and cushions to make this bench even more inviting. These seating locations make it easy to grab the morning newspaper and curl up with a hot cup of coffee before heading out the door. Benches have also become fashionable for kitchen nooks and around dining tables in place of chairs. They allow more seating and clever design imaginings for the home owner.

 2. Foyers, Mudrooms and Entry ways

Of course foyers, mudrooms and entry ways are a no brainer for benches since everyone needs to sit down to take shoes, coats and other items off. They are charming and delightful in these spaces because they are the introduction to your home, so why not make a statement. By adding a Teak Skipper Bench, stylish pillows and bolsters along with proper storage for your items, you can add design pizazz in these entry ways.

3. Bedrooms and Bathroom areas

Bedrooms can become the ideal place for your benches. Consider using one in a more traditional place, like at the end of the bed. A Backless Teak Bench with a custom cushion to match the décor of your bedroom would be a nice touch. Be creative and add a bench under a window like a window seat. Bathrooms can have a special place for benches. An Old French Tulip Loveseat or Ivy Aluminum Love Seat would be heavenly in front of a vanity. Place one near the bath tub as a sitting area before and after you enter the bath. These benches would really assist families with elderly and aged adults.

 4. Florida Rooms and Covered/Screened in porches

You can’t forget how beautiful Florida rooms and other porch areas can be with the touch of benches. Try the white cast iron Aluminum Chippendale Benches in place of a sofa and love seat. Decorate them with soft floral patterns or pastels such as periwinkle or pale green seat cushions. Add floral and striped throw pillows, with a white washed coffee table in between and these benches can bring an English cottage feel to your space. Get a sturdy Denver Teak Bench for your front porch area. Natural and elegant teak can bring a more rustic approach to your porch area. Use this bench as your focal point and surround it with smaller chairs and side tables along with autumn color pillows for a lived in country look.

Benches offer so much more than just extra seating; they can bring charm to a bathroom or bedroom, sophistication to a Florida room and cozy, relaxed comfort to a kitchen or foyer area. Whatever you choose, you and your family will enjoy them for many years and will not be disappointed.

A Teak Bench for a Friend

Several years ago for Christmas, I bought a very good friend of mine a teak bench for her outdoor area. She was always wasting money buying cheap outdoor furniture that would rot and mildew by the end of the summer. Living in the south, I knew she needed to invest in something better. Teak furniture was always my suggestion but she thought that teak was too expensive when she could get something much cheaper that looked fairly similar. Unfortunately, when it comes to outdoor furniture, you get what you pay for. The elements (sun, rain insects, moisture, heat and cold) can deteriorate cheap outdoor furniture quickly. I had bragged for months on the benefits of owning teak wood and finally decided to prove a point buy purchasing something I knew she would grow to love and appreciate.

First, she complained of not having enough seating in her back yard, I thought that a teak bench would be perfect. Not only would it provide extra seating but it would allow options of where she could place it. She had a huge tree that gave lots of shade, so if she desired to place it there she could.

Next, I knew she hated having to stain and treat wood. I remember watching her picnic table warp and wither away because she never made time to reseal it. It was high maintenance. She’s a busy lady with not a whole lot of extra time. That’s why I knew teak would be ideal. It doesn’t need to be stained or treated because it has natural oils that keep the wood from warping or rotting. It even serves as a natural defense against insect infestation. It is one of the hardest, strongest and most durable of all timbers. The texture stays smooth and never splints, so she wouldn’t have to worry about snagging a sweater or blouse on her teak bench.

I did tell her that teak beautifies with age. It turns into a silvery patina color if left outdoors. The natural oils migrate to the surface of the wood turning the surface to an elegant and timeless gray color. I also let her know that if she had the time, she could apply teak oil to restore the beauty of its golden tones. If she wanted to use the teak bench inside her home, maybe an alternative to a window seat, the natural wood grain tone would stay true to its color.

By the end of the month she wanted to purchase more teak furniture for her outdoor area. She loved the fact that she didn’t have to worry about replacing her furniture year after year which in the long run will be great on the environment. She did decide to let her teak bench turn its natural color outdoors. She loves the silvery color and the texture. I was glad that she finally was convinced that teak was really the smarter way to go.

Articles By Anita Winter