Bench Dimensions (Indoor & Outdoor Size Guide)
Here’s our guide to bench dimensions, including different types of seat sizes and various uses to help you choose your future indoor and outdoor furniture.
When looking at available seating options for the dining room, a chair will always reign supreme. After all, it’s the standard dining choice. It’s movable, and you have a variety of designs to choose from. But what if your home doesn’t afford you the space for a complete dining room set? Benches are an option.
Benches are seeing a rise in recent design trends; they are perfect for homes with little space, like in a condominium, and might also be the more elegant option.
Benches offer more seating and are also less cluttered; with a large-sized product, you can seat three to four people, whereas you need four chairs to seat four people around the dining table.
Standard Bench Size
The standard bench size is the basis or benchmark for comparing all other dimensions.
Standard Bench Depth
A standard bench has a seat depth between the size of 15 to 20 inches (38 to 51 cm). Those exceeding the 20-inch mark or seats below the 15-inch depth limit would not feel as cozy and comfortable for a person with an average height to sit on.
Standard Bench Width
Benches with a width between 42 and 60 inches are the standard size. This type can seat two people comfortably and have a lot of space to move.
If seating three people is what you’re looking for, a bench width between 53 and 80 inches will work comfortably. Anything above 80 inches can comfortably seat four people.
Bench Width Size Chart
| Bench Seat Capacity for Adults | Size |
| 2 Seat | 42” to 53” |
| 3 Seat | 53” to 80” |
| 4 Seat | 81” and over |
Standard Bench Height
A bench with a height of 18 to 20 inches is the standard size — from the ground up to the seat. This height is perfect for a typical dining room table with a height of 28 to 30 inches.
Mudroom Bench Dimensions
A mudroom is a dedicated secondary entrance to remove boots, coats, hats, and wet clothing before entering the house. Usually, hooks are dedicated for coats and hats, even little cubbies for storage of shoes. Mudroom safeguards the house from outside dirt and mess, keeping the house tidy.
Mudrooms are not complete without any seating. An average mudroom bench has a length of about 35 to 48 inches, a depth of 14 to 17 inches, and should be at least 18 inches tall. To install a shoe or a boot tray beneath, add an inch or two.
With this standard depth size for benches, a product with a flip-up seat cover will work best for added storage space. Check our gallery of 45 mudroom ideas here for more inspiration.
Shower Bench Dimensions
Shower benches add a lot to a bathroom’s aesthetic, convenience, and functionality. The question is, what dimensions should a shower seat have?
As a rule of thumb, the length from the ground to the seat should be an inch lower than the back of your knees. The usual shower bench size is 17 to 19 inches. The ADA or the Americans with Disabilities Act, also recommends this height.
The width of the product is dependent upon the homeowner’s choice. There’s more leeway when it comes to this dimension.
A seat 14 inches wide should be enough for the average size adult. However, sometimes it’s not enough as not all bodies are built the same way, so body type plays a big part in determining shower seat size.
The depth of a shower seat is more fixed than its width. As per ADA guidelines, if a person with a disability uses the shower seat, a depth of 15 to 16 inches will be comfortable for an adult.
On the other hand, L-shaped benches require more corner space inside the shower and tend to be narrower. A depth with an average of 14 to 15 inches should suffice. Read more about shower bench ideas here.
Dining Bench Dimensions
To have you consider what dimensions would work well for your dining chairs, we will list three sizes for you. Large dining benches can seat three to four people; usually, they have a height of 17.5 inches, a length of 60 inches, and a depth of 17.1 inches.
A two seater bench length typically ranges from 42″ to 60″.
For a medium-size dining chair for a six-seater dining table, a medium-sized bench should suffice. Medium benches have a height of 17.7 inches, a length of 45 inches that can seat two to three people, and a depth of 17.1 inches.
There are also small furniture products available in the market that could seat an individual. These are a great alternative to the usual dining chairs with the arm and back.
A small individual bench is 17.7 inches in height, a length of 19 inches to sit an individual comfortably, but still has a lot of room and the usual depth of 17.1 inches.
A dining bench can sit more people simultaneously. You can opt for a seat with a backrest or go for a more minimalist individual chair without a back for added interior appeal. It is an excellent alternative to the usual dining chairs and makes eating fun for several children.
Dining banquettes are usually made of wood, but various materials are now used: concrete, plastics, metal, and even stone. You can buy a product with a fashionable upholstered seat or separate cushion that is easy to remove and clean.
Outdoor Bench Dimensions
Outdoor benches come in various shapes and sizes, but the usual outdoor seating you see in parks and beaches are the two-seater or the medium-sized products.
An outdoor bench typically comes with a height between 18 to 20 inches, a depth of about 12 to 15 inches, and a width or length of about 45 inches. This is the standard outdoor product size, but ultimately, it will stem from what the homeowners need.
To make the seat comfortable for people with disabilities, the American Disabilities Act mandates specifications for an outdoor bench height of around 17 to 19 inches to make it functional for everyone.
A seat width of 60 inches or more can comfortably seat two to three people. A depth distance from the front to the back of 16 inches for a backless bench is recommended.
For another related article, visit our picnic table dimensions here.
