This photo gallery features dining rooms with bench seating. We add to this gallery weekly, so be sure to check back regularly.
Related: Dining Room Table Dimensions | Average Dining Room Size
This dining room boasts a large mirror and an eye-catching art piece mounted on the concrete wall. It has a natural wood dining table accompanied by a matching bench and black wingback side chairs.
Warm dining area with tiled flooring and picture windows overlooking the lush green outdoor. It has a tree table and bench that complements the archway leading to the living room.
A stone brick wall adds a striking texture in this black dining room showcasing a distressed wood dining set and a panoramic window framing the green hedge plants.
High ceiling dining room with white display cabinet and a wooden dining table paired with black leather chairs and bench. It is lighted by a linear pendant along with natural light from the glazed windows.
A small dining area situated in front of the staircase illuminated by charming glass globe pendants that hung over the light wood dining table flanked by round back chairs and a built-in bench.
Rustic dining room with red brick flooring and vaulted ceiling lined with wood beams. It includes a distressed dining table accompanied by wooden benches and a white seat by the glazed windows.
An all wood dining room offers a triangular shelving and a cozy dining set topped with a printed runner. It has a cathedral ceiling and glass windows allowing natural light in.
Pink tufted benches and pendant light add a charming accent in this dining room boasting a window seat nook along with a wooden dining table and glass chairs over the hardwood flooring.
Airy dining room features a wood plank dining table and gray benches topped with brown faux fur covers. It has black tiled flooring and a shed ceiling lined with dark wood beams.
An oversized drum pendant illuminates this dining room showcasing a light wood dining table surrounded by upholstered chairs and matching benches over the vinyl plank flooring.
A black floor lamp is placed beside the wooden buffet table in this dining room with a charming pendant light and cozy dining set that sits on a gray shaggy rug. You may also like Dining Rooms that Seat Eight.
This dining room is decorated with glass pendants and a pair of carved wood art pieces mounted on the white wall. It has a jute rug and a dark wood dining table paired with matching benches and beige velvet chairs.
Gorgeous dining room with carpet flooring and a picture window overlooking the outdoor scenery. It includes a smooth dining table lined with a tasseled runner that complements the patterned chairs and bench.
White dining room lined with a distressed column that’s attached to the ornate ceiling and dark wood plank flooring. It has an immense dining table flanked by black cushioned chairs and a white built-in bench.
Natural light streams in through the glass-paneled windows in this open dining room with cube pendants and cozy dining set over the hardwood flooring.
Industrial dining room illuminated by large dome pendants that hung over the stump dining table complementing with the benches and wood plank flooring.
Multicolored seats and pillows add a cheerful tone in this yellow dining room with a perforated pendant light and a wooden dining table that sits on a wicker rug.
Small dining area with a built-in bench and white modern chairs surrounding the metal dining table that’s lighted by bulb pendants.
A contemporary chandelier illuminates this dining room boasting a stylish mirror and light wood dining table that matches the benches covered in gray faux fur blankets.
Cozy dining room with wicker pendant lights and a wooden dining table paired with woven chairs and bench that’s topped with white cushion and deep blue pillows.
The fresh dining room offers wood plank flooring and glazed windows covered with cream roller blinds. There’s a green plant in the corner which creates a tropical feel in the room.
Taupe dining room with a candle chandelier and a buffet table across the rustic dining set that sits on a blue checkered rug over wood plank flooring.
An expansive dining room showcases a dark wood dining table and matching benches topped with tasseled covers. It has wide plank flooring and framed windows bringing plenty of natural light in.
Red dining table and velvet chair add a striking accent in this black dining room with spherical pendants and black furnishings that blend in with the floor.
Spacious dining area across the kitchen with wooden framed windows and hardwood flooring topped by an area rug. It has a ceiling fan and a gray dining table accompanied by a wooden bench and beige sofa.
Farmhouse dining room with light hardwood flooring and shiplap walls mounted with various decors. It has a distressed dining set lighted by a drum pendant that hung from the wood beam ceiling. You may also like Dining Rooms that Seat Six.
Transitional dining room accented with blue tufted chairs that sit at a wooden dining table illuminated by a unique white pendant. It has a faux fur bench and a drawer chest topped with a rustic mirror.
This dining room offers a stylish drum pendant and a stag decor mounted on the shiplap accent wall. It has a natural wood dining table paired with black chairs and a striking striped bench.
The sophisticated dining room boasts a window seat nook and a classy dining set illuminated by an ornate chandelier that hung from the wood beam ceiling.
Chrome dome pendants hang over the natural wood dining table surrounded with matching bench and white modern chairs in this dining room offering a fireplace flanked by storage cabinets.
Tropical dining room features an industrial pendant light and a wooden dining set by the glass paneled windows with ample natural light.
Patterned valances add a charming accent in this transitional dining room with glass chandelier and a sleek dining table surrounded by white chairs and a built-in bench.
A red tufted bench stands out in this contemporary dining area showcasing frosted bubble chandelier that hung over the stylish dining table over herringbone wood flooring.
This dining room showcases a sputnik chandelier and a striking diamond pattern rug that lays on the hardwood flooring. It includes a wooden dining table paired with tufted benches and gray modern chairs.
Bright dining room illuminated by a modern drum pendant along with natural light from the louvered windows. It has a natural wood dining table accompanied by a white sofa and bench that’s accented with a blue blanket.
A cowhide rug lays on the wicker bench in this dining room with black modern chairs and a wooden dining table illuminated by a brass pendant light.
An open dining area with a corner fireplace and a caged pendant light the hung from the wood beam ceiling. It includes white wingback chairs and a skirted bench surrounding a stump dining table accented with a plant centerpiece.
Farmhouse dining room decorated with floral wall arts and ceramic plates mounted on the cream wall. It has a candle chandelier and a dark wood dining table surrounded with wooden and wicker chairs along with a tufted bench that sits on a gray rug.
This dining room offers mismatched chairs and a trestle dining table lighted by a pair of spherical chandeliers. It has smooth flooring and glass paneled windows covered with translucent roman shades and patterned drapes.
A vintage chandelier illuminates this dining room boasting a wooden dining set that sits on a blue area rug. It is surrounded with glass paneled windows that are dressed in gorgeous valances.
Gorgeous dining room decorated with framed wall arts and a lovely driftwood art piece that hung over the wooden dining table accompanied by an ornate bench and blue and white upholstered chairs.
A stylish drum pendant hangs over the white dining table with cushioned chairs and custom bench in this dining area with white framed window and hardwood flooring. You may also like Tricks to Make Your Dining Room Look Expensive.
Farmhouse dining room designed with a gorgeous tapestry mounted on the gray wall. It has chrome pendant lights and a rustic dining table surrounded by cushioned benches and mismatched chairs.
Eclectic dining area showcases a wooden dining set that sits on a gray rug. It is accented with a pair of yellow canvases mounted on the white wall.
Cozy dining area with wood plank flooring and textured accent wall arranged in brick and herringbone patterns. It has an interesting dining set composed of various styled seats lighted by a spherical chandelier.
Beach style dining room features mismatched chairs and a wooden dining table lighted by a drum pendant. It is surrounded with a French door and glazed windows covered in white shutters.
Fresh dining room decorated with a woven chandelier and black framed wall art mounted on the blue wall that’s dominated by white wainscoting. It has black upholstered and yellow perforated chairs along with a wooden bench that complements the dining table and hardwood flooring.
A closeup look at this dining room showcasing round pendant lights that hung from the wood beam ceiling and a gray art piece flanked by glazed windows.
A pair of drum pendants hang over the oval dining table in this contemporary dining room with a cushioned bench and beige tufted chairs that sit on textured area rug designed with an eye-catching pattern.
This dining room boasts wooden buffet table and classy dining set lighted by a crystal pendant. It has gray walls and glass sliders that open to the patio with a breathtaking lake view.
Dining rooms with bench seating bring a certain coziness to a room while offering a practical solution for seats. The style has changed dramatically from the farmhouse setting that may come to mind first. They work in any decor and can add interest and character to a room as our gallery will show you.
Dining Room Sizes
One of the advantages of a bench seat is that it saves space. That means fewer separate pieces which can save you some cash in the long run. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the average size of a separate dining room is about 216 square feet.
Our interior design survey found that medium and large-sized dining rooms account for over 86 percent. Even with a roomier space, bench seating still has a place at the table.
Dining Room Styles
That is apparent when we consider the most popular styles. The top choices embrace this sense of comfort that a bench seat can bring to a room. The leading picks are:
- Contemporary
- Traditional
- Transitional
- Modern
- Eclectic
In some ways, a bench can function as an accent chair to bring a splash of color or add contrast to a room.
Dining Room Colors
Our survey revealed a definite preference for muted colors rather than the bold statements hues like red or turquoise would make. That makes sense since the primary function of the dining room is to provide a place to eat. Garish colors would detract from that purpose.
The top choices are:
- Brown
- White
- Gray
- Beige
- Black
These neutral tones will all take a back seat to the real star of the show, namely, the food. But psychology is also at work here. Brown, for example, denotes friendship and reliability. And choosing a warmer shade may even whet your guest’s appetite for your home-cooked meal.
They make excellent selections that capitalize on the coziness a bench seat brings to the room.
Types of Dining Rooms
Bench seating is a suitable choice that can stand the test of time as the place of the dining room changes. Trends point to it staying less as a separate space but rather a part of another area. Over 70 percent of dining rooms are either in combination with the kitchen or a great room.
You certainly aren’t limited to the straight picnic bench kind of style. Curved models can create a sense of fluidity that will work well in styles such as modern or mid-century. Think of the fun possibilities of the look of a retro 50s diner.