No one can argue with the fact that a person’s home should be as comfortable as possible. The atmosphere of comfort often depends on the choice of the right furniture, and for the hallway it is not only a dressing room, a rug at the doorstep, but also a banquet. The material of this article will tell about what it is, what are the varieties of this accessory, how to choose it correctly.
What it is?
A bench in the classical sense is nothing more than a pouf for the convenience of putting on and removing shoes. This is an element of furniture that does not take up much space, but significantly increases the convenience of households and all those who enter and leave the house. Depending on the type of construction, it can be very diverse. In fact, this is “2 in 1” furniture, which has a seat for the user and is often supplied with internal storage systems.
Translated from French, a bench means "bench." For the hallway it actual element of furniture.
In conditions of limited space, it can be not only a chair or bench, but also serve as an organizer, and can also be a shoe dryer. Almost always, this is not only a functional, but also a practical product, which, in combination, can become a waiting place for households, and even a relaxation area.
Types of designs
A modern approach to furniture design opens up many opportunities for creating practical products. Manufacturers offer customers a wide range of banquets, differing in the degree of functionality, size and shape.Products are characterized by mobility, as well as optimal dimensions, which is why they do not take up much space. Some of them are able to replace the sofa, while others provide for one seat.
From the point of view of the nuances of designs, they can be divided into several varieties. Each type differs externally, and may include the presence of its own accessories. For example, other options can be equipped with removable covers or mattresses, as well as small pillows.
Others are part of the hallway and have high panel backs with hooks and clothes hangers.
Classic and stools
Classic models are nothing more than square-shaped ottomans without a back. These products are distinguished by soft seat upholstery, but otherwise the shape may vary. For example, if some modifications are a closed cube, then others are somewhat similar to low stools. Still others resemble a goat sports equipment, having the same seat shape and laconic supports.
Banquets-poufs do not have legs, their upholstery can be both leather and textile. The storage compartment for household items is a convenient storage system for hallways with limited usable area.
Banquets with a stool design differ from classic products by the presence of supporting legs. At the same time, there can be not only 4, but also two (for example, when the supports are wood panels).
Benches
An alternative to the two varieties is a bench bench. It differs from stool models in the number of user seats.. Upholstery remains soft, the number of seats is from 2 to 3. The supporting legs can be 4 or 6, while the model can be divided into 2 categories: without a back and with it.
The first modifications are convenient in that they stand denser against the wall, and therefore can save the area of the hallway. Analogs with a back are good where there is enough space for freedom of movement. Products of this group can be not only soft, but also hard. However, models may have a padded seat and a hard back.
With armrests
Armrests equipped bench models. In this case, the form of these structural elements may vary. Somewhere they are quite low and bent at the sides, sometimes straight, often high. They are also tough, which is typical for models without soft upholstery and internal filler. Their width also varies: they are narrow and moderately wide. Somewhere they are a kind of limiter, not allowing the soft mattress banquets to move around.
With storage systems
Models in this category are outwardly similar to compact cabinets. They differ from poufs by the variability of storage systems. If classic banquets often have a hinged lid, under which there is a roomy drawer, then such modifications the manufacturer can equip with drawers. Wherein the storage system can be located on a wood platform, under which there are supports of minimum length.
Products may have shelves located under the seat. Depending on the opening mechanism, some shelves in closed form form vertical shelves.
As a rule, these are products for shoes that are not used in a particular season. In general, the location of shelves or drawers can be not only symmetric, but also asymmetric. Often, such products are complemented by wicker baskets.
With rails
By railing you need to understand trellised shelves. Such structural elements are convenient for storing shoes. At the same time, lattice shelves can vary the width of the crossbars themselves. As a rule, such products have only one shelf. Rails are often made metal, they can be tubular, narrow or wide flat. As a rule, these models are open, they are distinguished by laconic design. Depending on the needs of the buyer, you can purchase a shoe option with one or two shelves.
Sofas
This group includes models resembling a smaller version of an ottoman or sofa. Acquire this furniture to equip spacious hallways. These are not sofas, you can not lie on them, but the models are quite comfortable and convenient. Depending on the design idea, they may imply the use of not only soft bedding, but also removable covers, which is very convenient and practical in the conditions of operation of the hallway furniture. You can comfortably sit on them.
Combined
Sometimes manufacturers delight customers with completely extraordinary types of designs. For example, on sale you can find products with the base of the bench, the upper part of which is supplemented with a pair of drawers on one side. In fact, these modifications have an impromptu table that can be used for storage, for example, a landline phone. Other models may have open shelves in the lower part on the one hand, and a closed storage system on the other.
Sometimes the model has a soft seat and a closed box with facades, like a chest of drawers. Some, instead of the armrests, are equipped with limiters provided for the placement of soft bedding. Knegt is considered one of the most convenient types of banquets. You can store not only shoes in such a product, but also other things (for example, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens).
On sale there are models with backs, armrests, shelves and drawers. The combination of shelves and drawers makes banquets very functional and attractive to customers. You can put shoes on the shelves, remove hats in drawers, and sit on the seat with your elbows on the back or armrests.
With shelf
These products are duets that make up the furniture ensemble. In fact, these are compact banquets with the same shelves that hallways equip in small apartments. Products are convenient and practical, in most cases they do not have excess decor and unnecessary elements. They can have a hard or soft seat, a removable mattress. Outwardly, they often resemble peculiar boxes or cabinets with roomy inner drawers or compartments.
Shapes and dimensions
In the classic sense, banquets have a standard shape. Those designed for 2-3 users can be not only linear, but also angular. Often they are ordered in private, choosing the length and width, taking into account the features of the design ledges of the hallway. Therefore, models can design and protruding corners. Often, models include a connecting corner element.
At the same time, they can be either traditional on the legs, or in the form of stands with closed storage systems and a convertible top. On sale there are products of round and semicircular shapes. Other modifications are so narrow that they look like benches or long tables. In separate hallways they are made across the width of the wall at the front door.
As for the sizes, they are individual and are selected depending on the needs and preferences of customers.
Standard options are usually 40 cm high, 35-40 cm wide, up to 85 cm long. Curbstones can reach 1 m long, 44-45 cm high, and 40 cm deep.
On sale there are models with a height of 50 cm. Buyers consider them more attractive and convenient to operate: it is convenient to sit on them, taking off and putting on shoes, tying and untying the laces. In general, when trying to buy, they usually try to carry out a fitting: the height at which the seated legs are bent at right angles is considered sufficient. In order to ensure the convenience of all households, additional footrests are often purchased for banquets.
The width of the banquets can vary: the most narrow modifications are usually 25-30 cm. Of course, these are not the most convenient options, but they greatly simplify the life of a family living in a small apartment. The length of these models usually does not exceed 80-100 cm.Wider analogues can be up to half a meter wide.
Custom products can be 38 and 55 cm high. As a rule, at the same time, a lower height is usually the case with laconic design options without shelves or drawers. More functional modifications are higher, because in storage systems located under the seat, you have to withstand the desired height of the shelves or drawers.
The shape of the models can be very diverse: simple products have rounded edges, others may differ in different widths of the sides. Others are equipped with just one armrest, but they have an asymmetric back and a high armrest on the other hand. The design of individual modifications is somewhat reminiscent of a smaller version of the changing table.
The backs can be straight, wavy, round, crown-shaped. Armrests can be flat, voluminous, straight narrow, wide, panel, curved.
Materials of manufacture
Hallway furniture manufacturers try to use in production only high quality raw materials. The most popular type is wood: products from it are obtained strong, reliable and durable. Such models look respectable, they increase the status of any interior. Moreover, today we have the opportunity to choose a tree species, taking into account the most demanding preferences. Oak, beech and walnut products are a priority.
If you don’t have enough money for expensive wooden furniture, you can buy an accessory made of plywood, glued beams, wood-fiber board (MDF) or MDF. Fibreboard and MDF are not as practical as wood, such furniture is unstable to moisture, but in a limited budget it is quite appropriate in the interior of the hallway.
Metal is used not only for rails, but also for supports. In addition, a banquette in the hallway can be forged. Metal lace on the supports and armrests make the furniture especially elegant. Also, banquets are made of rattan (dry stems of palm branches). By heat treatment, they are given the desired shape, which the stems remember as they cool. Such products are characterized by strength and durability.
In addition to the above materials, in the production of banquets use plastic. Such furniture cannot be called practical and durable, because plastic is afraid of accidental mechanical damage and quickly becomes scratched. It is not designed for heavy weight, and therefore it makes no sense to purchase such products with the expectation of several users.
As for the material used for upholstery, among the most popular raw materials it is worth noting natural and artificial leather, flock, tapestry, velor, boucle. Often, textiles used for furniture are treated with a special compound. Elite models are sheathed in tapestry and leather. Budgetary make out with faux leather, sheathed a soft seat.
Velor models look status, this matter has an original texture, pleasant to the touch. Boucle is distinguished by the presence of knots, it can decorate furniture, but it requires especially careful care and maintenance.
As a filler for soft banquets, latex and gas-filled plastics are used. Of interest are models with a carriage screed (a special covering for the seat and back, performed according to a specific upholstery scheme).
Color schemes
The colors of the banquets can be different, which is selected based on the color of the interior composition. Often, furniture is chosen in a uniform tone, which allows the bench to fit into the furniture in the most harmonious way. Most of the store's assortment is represented by products in wood tones, and the shades can be either whitened light or dark.
Besides, relevant chrome and bronze tones of metal finish products.
Somewhere used and gilding. Banquets can vary in color due to the upholstery material.They are white, pistachio, blue, gray-blue, burgundy, coffee, chocolate.
Sometimes the seat is made in gray, black and brown, while the legs often contrast in tone with the upholstery of the material used. For example, white and gray, blue, turquoise, walnut and metallic, wenge and marsh, white and beige, light gray and beige can be combined. The unity of such contrasts as black-brown and milk, sand and beige, white and bronze, red-brown and gold looks no less harmonious.
Popular styles
Despite the combination of banquets in a single group with a lot of branches, the products can not be called universal, suitable for all interior styles indiscriminately. Like any piece of furniture, the banquet should comply with certain rules of a particular interior styling. For example, today a considerable part of the range consists of models of laconic forms with a focus on practicality and functionality.
These are rectangular products without twisted legs and carved decorative elements, equipped with hidden or open storage systems for shoes or other items that can be removed from the entrance hall. They seem simple, but at the same time convenient in everyday life and perfectly unload the interior of the hallway, leaving space in it for arranging the necessary interior accents.
Models may resemble stools covered with padded stools and pedestals.
Often, the design element of a modern style (for example, hi-tech, art deco, brutalism, loft, grunge) is the use of metal. Many of the directions are focused on the fact that furniture should seem simple and elegant at the same time. However, the elegance here is special: it is an unusual form, sometimes dominating the metal structure, the presence of mirrored facades on the sides of the banquet, a combination of metal and leather, metal and wood. Besides, modern models should be ergonomic and include transformation systems.
Products of the classical type (classic styles, neoclassic, classicism) are nothing but options with a thirst for elements of palace elegance. These are necessarily twisted legs, the presence of gilding and stucco decoration. The priority is modification of wood: it looks expensive and is a favorite of raw materials for furniture. Upholstery is usually leather with a carriage screed, the filler may be latex.
The classic type of product can be with or without a back, furniture can be decorated with carvings, the shape of the supports can vary from simple to complex. Color is selected in tone with other elements of furniture.
Modifications of the English style are somewhat similar to the classics. They are also respectable, they are massive, made of the best types of wood. These are models on carved legs, cabinet options, pouffes, benches, as well as sofas.
Products of current styles to date country and provence Lighter design. Village simplicity should be felt, coupled with an emphasis on romanticism. Products can be rigid, made of wood with painting in white or the color contrast of the pastel gamut of the color palette. These are benches with a hinged lid and standard height supports.
And also it can be models with drawers and textile upholstery, decorated with a simple floral print. A contrast piping can extend along the edge of the upholstery. Textiles should be chosen to match the curtains or upholstery of furniture purchased in the room adjacent to the hallway. The model can have a soft seat and back, it can be equipped with a pair of shelves or a number of drawers.
Bench accessories should not be trendy, since it is important to point to a certain time period in which there was no high technological effectiveness. These are wooden handles, possibly rounded.An excellent completion of these products will be wicker rattan boxes, which can be put on existing shelves or directly on the floor (if the banquets have high legs and no internal drawers).
Style furniture baroque different craving for embellishment. This is mandatory the use of soft structural elements, the choice of textile upholstery, as well as the mass of decorative elements. The color scheme should be light, accent decoration with gold is welcome.
Models of a rustic or hunting style are deliberately rude in design.
This wood, often without coloring, outwardly seeming like an ordinary bench with four supports. There is no longer a soft back, as well as jewelry, since they will contradict the basic concept of style.
Selection tips
When choosing your version of banquets for arranging the hallway, you have to consider a lot of nuances. For example, initially it is necessary to determine the size, which is especially true for rooms with a deficit of usable space. Besides, you need to determine the purpose of the product. Some accessories are purchased solely for the convenience of putting on and removing shoes, while others, in addition to this function, do an excellent job of storing any things, for example, the same umbrellas, hats, scarves.
The size of the product is selected based on the total footage of a particular hallway. The banquet should not clutter up the space and interfere with movement around the room. At the same time, a place for her is looked after in advance, paying attention to which side the doors open, how much space is needed for the location, extension of the drawers (if any). All necessary measurements are carried out at home in advance so that the store does not waste time thinking about whether the model will stand in the designated place.
When selecting a specific option it is important to note that the bench should not completely replace the wardrobe. It is not designed to accommodate almost all the things that you want to store in the hallway. It is necessary to consider the type of material, because this will affect the durability and reliability of the design. Fiberboard options are designed for no more than 5-6 years of careful operation, the best products are those made of wood.
Models can be sold together with a high back and even a mirror. Others are equipped with a compact box, some options are sold with a table of compact sizes, which is barely enough for placing the phone. It is located above the seat, which is convenient for use.
As for the size, everything is individual here: someone likes more comfortable products, and there is a place for this. Others have to acquire laconic models with an emphasis on functionality.
Overall however the optimal depth of the bench is considered an indicator of 50 cm. This is enough to sit comfortably on it and, for example, lace up shoes. The form is selected with the condition to exclude injury to furniture. If practicality is important, you can look at the options with the ability to change the cover or models that have a removable soft bedding. This will simplify washing or cleaning, which will allow the bench to maintain aesthetic appeal for longer.
Interesting examples
We bring to your attention 10 examples of original banquets that fit well into the interior of the hallway:
- a laconic form banquet looks favorably against a brick wall;
- model for a corridor with stops, sofa cushions and compartments for baskets;
- version in the form of a compact sofa with a back and metal supports;
- classic style product, decorated with gilding and carved shape of the sides;
- a bench with a bench design, comprising a harmonious ensemble, coupled with a hallway and a mirror;
- a model with roof rails and thin supports that fits into the interior of the loft style hallway;
- an example of a successful arrangement of a niche with the selection of a model without a back to the tone of the general concept of style;
- compact modification with a hinged shelf and hooks, together forming a single furniture ensemble;
- option with a carriage coupler and a touch of antiquity, which looks appropriate in a minimalist design;
- a designer model of a fantasy form that can decorate the interior of an apartment in the Art Nouveau style.
See how to make a banquet in the hallway from scraps.