Storage benches
Seating on one side, storage on the other: the storage bench is undoubtedly one of the most ingenious pieces of furniture for organizing an interior. Beneath a lid that serves as a seat lies a closed compartment, perfect for storing shoes, blankets, linens, or everyday essentials. In our collection of poufs and benchesThe storage bench occupies a central place: it's the ultimate multi-purpose piece of furniture, useful in the entryway, bedroom, living room, or hallway. This guide will help you understand its advantages, identify the room where it will be most useful, and choose the model best suited to your needs.
Why choose a storage bench to better organize your interior?
Organizing a home often relies on a simple principle: giving everything a place, without cluttering it with furniture. The storage bench perfectly embodies this principle by combining two functions in a single footprint.
Combining comfortable seating and closed storage
A well-designed storage bench offers, first and foremost, a proper seat: a suitable height (generally 40 to 45 cm), a comfortable, sometimes padded, surface, and a stable structure that can withstand daily use. It also includes a storage compartment whose capacity varies depending on the model, from a few dozen liters for compact sizes to generous volumes for family benches. The lid serves the dual purpose of a seat and a storage door: when closed, it completely conceals the contents. This combination is a practical alternative to two separate pieces of furniture, a chair and a storage chest, and frees up space in the room.
Free up space in passageways
Entrances, hallways, landings: these high-traffic areas are the first to get cluttered and the last to have suitable storage. The storage bench offers a well-proportioned solution: its low profile and shallow depth preserve passage, while its storage compartment neatly holds what tends to accumulate in these spaces—shoes, bags, accessories. By storing things at the source, where they naturally collect, it maintains lasting order effortlessly. It's a simple yet remarkably effective organizational principle: the most frequently used storage is always the one that's right where it's needed.
In which rooms should a storage bench be installed?
The versatility of the storage bench makes it suitable for every room in the house. In the entryway, it serves as a seat for putting on shoes and as storage for them: this is the most common use, and the reason for the existence of our dedicated models like the entryway storage benchIn the bedroom, placed at the foot of the bed, it holds bed linens, throws, and seasonal clothing while visually structuring the room. In the living room, it serves as extra seating for guests and as a storage unit for throws and cushions. In a child's room, it becomes a toy chest where one can sit and read a story. Finally, in a hallway or on a landing, it makes use of an often-overlooked wall by adding storage and seating. Few pieces of furniture offer such adaptability from one room to another, making them easy to move as needs change: the storage bench in the child's room can become the one in the entryway a few years later, without losing any of its usefulness. The same model can thus accompany several stages of a family's life, further reinforcing the value of investing in a sturdy and well-designed piece of furniture.
How to choose the right storage bench according to your needs?
Choosing a storage bench involves two aspects: the technical characteristics of the piece of furniture and the material it is made of. Both deserve equal attention.
Compare the dimensions, capacity, and seat height
Start by assessing the available space: measure the wall length, the maximum depth without obstructing movement, and ensure the lid can open freely. Consider capacity based on actual use: storing a few pairs of shoes, a bedroom's linens, or a child's toys all require different volumes. Seat height is the most frequently overlooked factor: too low, and it makes putting on shoes uncomfortable; too high, and it's unsuitable for children. Also consider the weight of the lid and how smoothly it opens—two details that make all the difference between a storage solution used daily and one that ends up being avoided. A height between 40 and 45 cm is ideal for most uses. Finally, check the sturdiness of the structure and the quality of the hinges, which will be used several times a day. One practical detail not to be overlooked: the lid must still be able to be opened once the bench is placed against the wall, and its weight must be manageable by all members of the household.
Select a material suitable for your daily use
The material determines both the style and ease of maintenance. Wood brings warmth and robustness, ideal for a high-traffic entryway. Textile coverings add comfort and softness: bouclé, with its textured weave, creates a cozy atmosphere, which is the whole appeal of the boucle storage benchwhile velvet exudes elegance, as seen on our models of velvet storage benchIn terms of colors, light shades visually enlarge the space: the white storage bench This makes it the preferred choice for small rooms and bright interiors. For a family entryway, opt for easy-to-clean materials; for a bedroom, indulge in the softness of a textile. Whatever your choice, consistency with existing furniture remains key: echoing the material or color of the bench in another element of the room is enough to create overall harmony.
Storage bench, pouf or entryway furniture: what are the differences?
These three furniture categories share the same promise—storage and seating—but they don't meet the same needs. The storage ottoman is the most compact and mobile: our storage ottomans They move from room to room in a snap and are ideal for small storage needs. A storage bench offers a wider seat, greater capacity, and a strong, structured presence in the room: it's the best compromise between versatility and storage capacity. Finally, an entryway unit with a built-in bench takes specialization even further: it often incorporates hooks, shelves, or shoe compartments in addition to the seat, to fully equip an entryway. In short: the pouf for mobility and extra seating, the storage bench for versatility throughout the house, and the complete entryway unit for a fully organized welcoming area. If you're hesitating between these formats to optimize a small living space, our article on the storage bench and multifunctional furniture details the arbitrations piece by piece.
Storage benches Nordlyspractical and durable furniture
At the house of NordlysEach storage bench is designed according to the principles that guide all our collections: a clean, Scandinavian design that transcends trends, robust materials selected for durability, and functionality conceived from the perspective of real-life everyday use. Our models offer this common foundation in a variety of materials—wood, bouclé, velvet—and in a range of colors, from bright white to natural tones, to blend seamlessly into your home. Practical lids, comfortable seats, generous capacities, and modular sizes: everything is designed to ensure your storage bench serves you well every day, for years to come. Browse the collection and find the model that will bring order to your daily life, with style.
