A good entryway bench is about 17 to 19 inches high, 14 to 18 inches deep and short enough to leave clear wall on both sides, with about 36 inches of open floor in front of it. Get those three numbers right and the rest comes down to how you store shoes. Below are the sizing rules for an entry or mudroom, how to choose between cubbies, a lift top and an open shelf, and real dimensions from benches we carry.
Entryway bench height: aim for 17 to 19 inches
Furniture maker Tribesigns, in its guide What Size Entryway Bench Fits Your Entryway?, puts most entryway benches at around 17 to 19 inches high, close to the seat height of a standard chair. Wayfair’s bench dimensions guide gives a slightly wider standard bench seat height of 18 to 20 inches.
Two details change the real seat height:
- Cushions. Tribesigns notes that a thick cushion adds height, so judge the finished seat, not the frame. A 2 inch pad on a 17 inch frame sits at about 19 inches (our estimate).
- Overall height vs seat height. A bench with arms or a back lists its overall height. Look for a separate seat height, or ask us.
How long should an entryway bench be?
Tribesigns puts typical entryway benches at 36 to 60 inches long, and suggests 36 to 42 inches for a small apartment entry, 48 to 54 inches for a standard foyer or hallway, and 60 inches or more for a larger entry. Treat the wall, not the bench, as the starting point:
- Measure the open wall from the door trim (or the edge of the door swing) to the next obstacle: a corner, a closet door, a light switch, a radiator.
- Subtract room at each end so the bench does not crowd the trim or block the door. A few inches per side keeps it from looking jammed in.
- Pick the bench length that fits what is left. HomeRoots lists its 42 inch flip top bench as seating two.
If the bench will sit under a console or mirror, or you are weighing a narrow table instead, our console table size guide covers table heights and lengths for the same wall.
Depth vs walkway clearance
Depth decides whether a bench works in a hallway. Tribesigns says a comfortable entryway bench is usually 14 to 18 inches deep, with 14 to 16 inches suiting narrow entrances. Wayfair’s guide recommends keeping at least 30 to 36 inches of walkway clearance in front of an entryway bench, and Tribesigns suggests about 36 inches as a starting point.
For context, Block Renovation’s minimum hallway width guide notes that the International Residential Code minimum for a residential hallway is 36 inches, with 42 to 48 inches feeling more comfortable for daily traffic. A quick estimate: bench depth + 36 inches = the hall width you want. A 12 inch deep shoe bench needs about 48 inches of hall, while a 16 inch bench needs about 52 inches. Shoes left on an open shelf and outstretched legs eat into that path.
Entryway bench with shoe storage: cubbies, lift top or open shelf
| Storage style | Good for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Shoe cubbies | One pair per slot, easy to see what you own, kids can put shoes away | Shallow benches can mean a firm seat; wet boots sit in an enclosed cubby |
| Lift top (flip top) | Hiding seasonal items, hats, gloves, dog gear | You have to clear the seat to open it; slower for shoes you wear daily |
| Open lower shelf | Baskets, boots that need to air out, quick grab and go | Everything is on view, so it needs tidy baskets to look neat |
Storage bench for entryway: real sizes from our store
Dimensions below come from each product page. Depth is front to back. Prices are ours at the time of writing.
| Bench | Length | Depth | Height | Storage | Our price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzara Hale Shoe Bench, white | 48.25 in | 12 in | 26 in overall | 9 open compartments, up to 18 pairs | $194.53 |
| Benzara Hale Shoe Bench, taupe brown | 48.25 in | 12 in | 26 in overall | 9 open compartments, up to 18 pairs | $194.53 |
| Benzara Kima Entryway Bench, 60 in | 60 in | 16 in | 18 in | Open lower shelf | $803.04 |
| Benzara Shoe Bench, 43 in acacia | 43.25 in | 15.75 in | 19 in | 2 open shelves | $679.30 |
| Benzara Demi 48 in Storage Bench | 48 in | 14 in | 28 in overall | Flip top plus open shelf | $401.70 |
| HomeRoots 42 in Solid Wood Flip Top Bench, dark brown | 42.38 in | 22.38 in | 35.25 in overall, 18 in seat | Flip top | $399.99 |
| HomeRoots 55 in Linen Upholstered Flip Top Bench | 55 in | 17 in | 20 in overall | Flip top | $169.99 |
A few notes from the listings:
- Hale: at 12 inches deep it is the slimmest here, so it suits a tight hall. The listing gives 26 inches as overall height and does not list a separate seat height, and each shelf is rated for 10 lb. Call 866-777-2590 to confirm the seat height before you order.
- Kima: arrives fully assembled; the listing does not state a weight capacity.
- Acacia shoe bench: comes with a cushion the listing describes as water resistant, with hook and loop ties.
- Demi: the listing gives a 350 lb weight capacity; 28 inches is the overall height including the arms, and no seat height is listed.
- HomeRoots 42 in: the only bench here with a listed 18 inch seat height. At 22.38 inches deep it needs a wider entry, and its storage space is only 4 inches high. It also comes in black.
- HomeRoots 55 in: rated for 285 lb with a safety hinge that stays open, per the listing.
More options are on our Benzara brand page.
Cushion or hard seat?
A hard wood or veneer top copes better with wet bags and umbrellas. A cushion is more comfortable, but in a mudroom choose a water resistant pad that ties down. Upholstered flip top benches suit a dry front hall better than a muddy back door.
Hooks, anchoring and wet shoes
- Hooks: mount wall hooks high enough that hanging coats clear the seat and do not hit the head of whoever is sitting.
- Anchoring: a low bench is stable on its own, but a hall tree or tall shelf above it is a different matter. The CPSC Anchor It campaign advises anchoring furniture with drawers, doors and shelves to the wall.
- Wet shoes: composite and laminate benches are best kept away from puddles. Put a boot tray or washable mat on the shelf, and let snowy boots drip before they go into an enclosed cubby.
Entryway bench vs end of bed bench
At the foot of a bed, width is set by the mattress, which our end of bed bench size guide covers. In an entry, the wall, the door swing and the walkway decide. For more on ordering furniture online, see our guide to buying designer furniture online.
Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight; smaller orders ship for a flat $200. Questions about a specific bench? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. See our return and refund policy before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard entryway bench height?
Most entryway benches have a seat about 17 to 19 inches off the floor, according to Tribesigns, similar to a dining chair. Wayfair gives 18 to 20 inches for benches in general.
How long should an entryway bench be?
Tribesigns suggests 36 to 42 inches for small entries, 48 to 54 inches for a standard foyer and 60 inches or more for a large one. Leave some wall at each end and keep the bench clear of the door swing.
How deep should an entryway bench with shoe storage be?
Tribesigns says 14 to 18 inches, or 14 to 16 inches for a narrow entrance; slim shoe benches such as the Hale go down to 12 inches. Add roughly 36 inches for the walkway to estimate the hall width you need.
Is a lift top or a shoe cubby better for an entryway?
Cubbies or an open shelf are faster for shoes you wear every day. A lift top is better for hiding things you use less often.
