The Standard Bench Sizes for Every Room in 2024

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What are the standard bench sizes for the dining area, bedroom, mudroom, shower, or deck?

In this guide, we’ll cover the dimensions and standard sizes for different rooms in your home. Read on to learn more.

Standard Bench Sizes: A Summary

A bench is not only for sitting; it can also give your space an elegant or exotic look.

Benches also give a feeling of comfort or homeliness to a room. It all depends on the size and style. The standard height for an indoor or outdoor bench is 18 to 20 inches.

Benches with a backrest average between 30 inches and 36 inches. The depth of a bench is 15 inches by 20 inches, allowing anyone to sit comfortably.

The standard bench length can vary depending on the seats, but the average sizes are:

2-seat bench, 42 to 52 inches wide
3-seat bench, 53 to 80 inches wide
4-seat bench, 81 to 96 inches

What’s the Standard Size of a Bench?

These sizes are averages or “standards” manufacturers use when constructing a bench. While many people use the average bench size, it ultimately depends on where you’ll place it.

The bench size also depends on your preferences, needs, and what feels comfortable. But here are some guidelines for the standard bench sizes, depending on usage.

For Decks

Image showing a standard height deck bench on a nice big wooden deck overlooking a wooded area

Anne Kitzman/Shutterstock

Outdoor or deck benches vary in size but typically fall into the small dimensions range. Finding the perfect fit for you is critical.

Whether you prefer a bench built into the existing deck or free-standing, getting the right dimensions means you’ll use the bench for more than a decorative piece.

The standard size for outdoor benches is:

A height of between 18 inches and 20 inches (assuming you have a 19-inch to 30-inch high standard table)
Depth is about 12 inches to 15 inches
Some deck benches can be as wide as 20 inches, which is suitable for more surface room.

Deck benches with cushions are roughly an inch shorter. This accounts for an inch of compressed cushion when people sit to prevent knees from bumping the table’s underside.

For Dining

For a piece on standard bench sizes, a nice dining room with wicker chairs and a rustic-looking wooden bench

Tr1sha/Shutterstock

A dining bench is a smart choice, whether you have a casual or formal dining area. The bench allows a more versatile seating arrangement such as pairing with dining chairs.

The standard size for a dining bench is:

Length: between 42 and 60 inches
Depth: between 12 inches and 23 inches, but there is no standard for this
Height: between 18 and 20 inches, and it should be at least 12 inches lower than your tabletop.

For Mudrooms

Photo of a standard size mudroom bench in a room painted all white

Scott Prokop/Shutterstock

The mudroom is a secondary entrance for removing your wet clothing and muddy boots. A mudroom bench allows you to sit and pull off your boots.

It can also provide you with storage space. When choosing a mudroom bench, you need to know the standard dimensions. This way, you’ll be sure that it will fit. The standard mudroom bench is:

18 inches high
Between 36 and 48 inches wide
About 14 to 17 inches deep

For the Shower

Photo showing a standard bench sized bench in a shower next to a sauna

AndjeiV/Shutterstock

A bench might be a luxury. But it’s a necessity for some. A shower bench is suitable for those who can’t stand for long or when you prefer to relax and luxuriate in the shower steam.

The typical shower bench is:

Between 17 and 20 inches high
15 to 16 inches deep for a comfortable space to rest in the shower
The length may vary depending on the size of your shower.

For Your Bedroom

Cozy bedroom with a bench next to a short bed with a floor lamp overlooking the bed

Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Also known as an end-of-bed bench, a bedroom bench helps tie your space together while bringing in functionality.

The bedroom bench is ideal for setting your decorative pillows for the night and even as a half-step or point for pets with difficulty jumping into your bed.

The width of the bench should be proportionate to your bed. For example, a 45-inch-long bed is suitable for queen beds and between 60 and 65 inches for king-size beds. Make sure that the bench does not stick out on either side of the bed.

An end-of-bed bench should be a few inches shorter than the bed. But you can choose the same height if your bed has a footboard.

The amount of clearance you have on each side of the bed dictates how deep your bench should be. Opt for a narrow bench if your room is small.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Bench

In the market for a bench? Choosing the right one is easy when you consider these factors:

Where you are placing it: You have several options depending on the room layout and seating needs. A dining bench with the back against the wall makes the most of small dining rooms. A corner bench with a back works well if you’re sitting at a table in the corner.
The space available: opt for a backless bench if you want to tuck it under a table. Make sure the bench is between 2 inches and 4 inches shorter than the space between the table legs.
With back or without: benches with backs allow you and your guests to rest against them, reducing the chance of slouching. A backless bench is a versatile furniture piece that helps reinforce a casual vibe.
The number of people seated: Consider the number of people in your house and guests you’d like to accommodate regularly. A 42-inch to 52-inch long bench is suitable for two adults, while longer benches provide at least 21 inches per person.
The material: Wicker and plastic models are best for the outdoors, while rich wood-toned benches are ideal for softer settings in your family room or bedroom. Velvet brings a fancy and luxurious look, and leather benches are fairly water-resistant and easy to wipe clean.
Storage space: If you want to hide your clutter, look for a storage bench with a flip-top or hinged lid. A cubby or shelf bench is better when you want easy access to your belongings.
Your decor style: Finally, don’t think of your bench as a separate element, no matter how beautiful it is. Make sure it works with the rest of the room and maintains some color, finish, and material consistency. Different styles include traditional, contemporary, cottage, and modern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Man building with wood and marking out the standard bench sizes on a grey stained piece of wood

Jannissimo/Shutterstock

Shopping for a bench might be like shopping for a car. While the ultimate costs are drastically different, purchasing a bench occurs infrequently compared to grocery shopping. Shopping for a bench requires more thought, effort, and time.

Because of the significant time that passes between bench shopping trips, it’s easy to be rusty when the time arrives to shop for a new unit. Here are some common questions asked by people about buying a bench:

Are there ADA-size requirements for benches?

Consider ADA size requirements to ensure compliance and avoid alienating family members and guests. The ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities offer tips that make transferring from a wheelchair to a bench easy.

Section 903 suggests a bench should have the following measurements to be accessible to everyone:

A seat height of between 17 inches to 19 inches from the ground;

The seatback should extend the bench full length;

Use a bench with armrests.

How do I measure for a bench at home?

Make sure there is a space between the bench and other objects in a room. If the bench serves as table seating, the clearance between the table and any furniture or walls should be at least 48 inches.

This ensures there’s enough space for you to pull the bench out completely without bumping something. Benches that sit against a bed or wall should have a minimum of 36 inches of clearance.

However, make sure you measure your room’s unique layout. The standard height of a table is 30 inches, while the average is between 28 and 30 inches high.

A standard 18-inch high bench will comfortably fit the standard table size. Adjust the bench height if your table is shorter or taller to accommodate the change. Leave at least 12 inches between the bottom of the table and the seat.

What should you look for to ensure comfortable seating?

The optimum seat height should support a knee angle of 90 degrees to prevent leg swelling. A bench that leads to hanging your legs can lead to increased pressure under the knees. It can also decrease blood circulation and increase pressure on the nerve.

The bench seat depth should allow you to use the backrest (for benches with backs). Armrests on a bench provide additional postural support and aid in sitting down and standing up. A low-level backrest supports the lumbar region, while a medium-level backrest provides full shoulder support.

The optimal backrest angle advisable is between 100 to 110 degrees. The biggest tip is to test similarly sized benches. See if the bench feels good and whether your feet are touching the ground comfortably. See if you can lean back comfortably on the backrest too.

Do Standard Bench Sizes Matter?

Knowing the standard bench sizes can help you plan your space better, pull together everything, and gauge the size of other items necessary for your room, deck, or garden.

In this guide, we’ve gone through the average sizes of benches to find the best unit for your space. When you’re ready to purchase your next bench, check back here for a reference for all your sizing requirements.