The best place for a dining bench in an open plan kitchen is usually along the side of the table that faces a wall, window or kitchen island, where chairs would otherwise block a walkway. Placing the bench on the edge of the dining zone keeps the main route between the cooker, sink and garden doors clear, while chairs go on the open side where people need room to pull them back.<\/p>\n
That simple rule works in most UK kitchen diners, but every layout has its own quirks. Below, we look at the main placement options, the clearances to allow, and how to choose dining benches UK<\/a> homeowners can live with day to day.<\/p>\n Before you think about style, stand in your kitchen and trace the routes people take. Where do they walk from the back door to the fridge? Where does someone stand when they are loading the dishwasher? Which path do children take when they run through to the garden?<\/p>\n These routes are your circulation zones, and they should stay as clear as possible. In an open plan room, the dining table often sits right next to one of them. Chairs that stick out into a walkway cause daily frustration. A bench, which tucks fully under the table when not in use, can sit on that side instead and reduce the problem.<\/p>\n As a general guide, aim for around 90cm of clear space for a main walkway, and roughly 75cm behind a chair so someone can sit down and stand up without bumping into a worktop.<\/p>\n It also helps to think about the table and seating as one unit from the outset. Looking through our dining table and chairs sets UK<\/a> is a useful way to judge the overall footprint of a table with seating on every side, before deciding which side the bench should take.<\/p>\n This is the most common and often most practical layout. The table runs parallel to a wall, the bench sits between the table and the wall, and chairs line the open side.<\/p>\n A bench needs very little space behind it, so you can bring the table closer to the wall than you could with chairs. That frees up floor in the centre of the room, which is especially helpful in narrower kitchen extensions.<\/p>\n Leave a small gap between the bench and the wall so people can step over the seat comfortably. Around 10cm to 15cm is usually enough. Check for radiators and sockets on that wall too, since a bench pushed hard against a radiator is neither comfortable nor good for the upholstery.<\/p>\n Many rear extensions and kitchen diners have a large window or glazed doors at one end. A bench beneath a window creates a pleasant, informal spot to sit with a morning coffee.<\/p>\n Low windowsills work well here because the bench does not block the light. If the window opens inwards, check that the bench and any cushions will not get in the way of the handle or the opening sash. Bear in mind that strong sunlight can fade some upholstery over time, so a fabric or faux leather with good light resistance is worth considering on a south facing side.<\/p>\n If your island has a seating overhang on one side, it is tempting to use bar stools there and a separate dining table elsewhere. In some open plan kitchens, though, it makes more sense to run the dining table up to the end or back of the island and place a bench along the island side.<\/p>\n This creates a continuous, sociable arrangement where the cook can chat with people at the table. Make sure the back of the island is a closed panel rather than cupboard doors, otherwise the bench will block access to storage. If you prefer a split arrangement, with counter seating and a separate table, our modern bar stools UK<\/a> collection includes slimline designs that sit neatly at an island without crowding the dining zone.<\/p>\n In larger open plan spaces, where the kitchen, dining and living areas share one long room, a bench can mark the edge of the dining zone. Place the table so the bench sits on the side facing the living area. The low profile of the bench separates the two areas visually without blocking sightlines in the way that a tall shelving unit would.<\/p>\n This works particularly well when the dining table sits on a rug. The rug defines the dining zone, and the bench forms a clear edge to it. Choose a rug large enough that the bench legs stay on it even when someone sits down, otherwise it will rock on the rug edge.<\/p>\n Placement and size go hand in hand. A bench that is too long can protrude past the table and catch shins, while one that is too short looks lost.<\/p>\n If your household size changes often, such as when relatives visit at Christmas, consider an extending table. Our extending dining tables UK<\/a> let you add space for guests, and a bench can seat an extra person or two when the table is opened up.<\/p>\n An open plan kitchen is a busy, sometimes messy place. The dining bench you choose should cope with that.<\/p>\n Wipeable upholstery, such as faux leather, handles splashes from the cooking area well. Solid wood benches are also hardwearing and simple to clean. Pale woven fabrics can look lovely but need more care in a room where food is being prepared.<\/p>\n Standard dining tables sit at around 75cm high, and benches at roughly 45cm. Keep the bench height in line with your chairs so everyone sits at a similar level. Do not mix a dining height bench with a counter height island seat in the same run, as people would end up at very different heights.<\/p>\n Kitchen floors are often tiled, polished concrete or luxury vinyl. Felt pads or protective glides on the bench legs reduce scraping noise and prevent marks.<\/p>\n A few placements tend to cause problems in open plan kitchens.<\/p>\n Once the bench is in place, a few finishing touches help the dining area feel like a distinct part of the open plan room.<\/p>\n If your living area includes a large sofa, our guide to pairing dining tables with corner sofas in UK living spaces<\/a> offers ideas for linking the two zones through colour and material.<\/p>\nStart with how people move through the room<\/h3>\n
Option one: the bench against a wall<\/h3>\n
Why it works<\/h3>\n
Things to watch<\/h3>\n
Option two: the bench under a window<\/h3>\n
Option three: the bench against a kitchen island<\/h3>\n
Option four: the bench as a soft divider<\/h3>\n
Choosing the right size of table and bench<\/h3>\n
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Practical details in a working kitchen<\/h3>\n
Materials<\/h3>\n
Height relationships<\/h3>\n
Floors<\/h3>\n
Layouts to avoid<\/h3>\n
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Bringing the look together<\/h3>\n
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