L-Shaped Entry Way Bench
- Powdercoated High Gloss Steel
- Solid Hickory
- Adjustable Feet
- 0% VOC Approved Kid-Safe Finish
Every build we take on starts with a conversation for us. We go back and forth with the customer until they are satisfied. We discuss the build in the shop. Pouring countless hours into the plans. Making sure the piece is built safe and to last a lifetime. But also, to make sure it delights the customer! We also want to make sure we have a clear vision to work with. This particular L-shaped entry bench was a bit different for us.
Custom l shape entryway bench
We were hired by clients in downtown Boise to build them a custom dining table along with a few other pieces. We decided to take it a bit slow, earning their trust and figuring out if we were really the right build team to make their vision come to life. We have always said that just because we get hired to do a job doest mean we are the right people to complete the work. And it’s always our job to do that “dance”. Back and forth til we see if the client and our team are well suited for each other.
So, we built their custom dining table and an entry bench. The entry bench was the second piece we made for these clients. Right after we dropped of the table, they said, you know- Just make us whatever you want. We trust you. We had a budget but the majority of the piece was open for us to really put our life into. So cool!
This is always a very rewarding part of our work. Because it means that we have done the right job listening to the needs and the wants of our client. We have struck a balance between functionality and trust.
As we worked into the conversation a bit more, we found the front door was a hodge-podge of shoes and coats. And this downtown boise home had a unique entry way closet type thing that was way too deep to do anything with. The 3 little kids would come home from school or in from playing in the snow and have nowhere to put shoes or gloves. Backpacks were strewn across the entry way.
Custom L shaped entryway bench
We needed a fun and elegant solution that didn’t distract but blended with the home and the clients needs.
We always look at surrounding finishes- things like flooring and window trims. Window coverings. You don’t want something that will distract from the overall look and feel of a home.
A well thought piece of furniture should blend into the space. Almost as if its a part of the home. And a well built piece of furniture should be a delight to use every time you interact with it.
We also needed this entry way bench to match the dining table. Or, to at least compliment the natural look and grain of the table.
The table was built from 2″ thick solid hickory. And the pieces were specifically chosen for grain patterns and color variations. It really is a warm piece.
But, what really stood out to us were the chairs that the client had chosen for the dining table. They were a steel powder coated matte black finish. They really warmed the dining area up!
So, we knew we wanted to tie that black powder coating into this l-shaped entryway bench. Metal legs are always a bit tough to make. These were no exception as they had a variety of angles throughout the piece.
Metal welded entry bench legs
metal legs entryway bench
The chairs were black matte, however, smaller and more intimate pieces can feel even smaller with matte finishing. So we chose a higher gloss finish. And this was really the trick. The icing on the cake.
The bench was built to 16″ tall. 17″ tall is ADA compliant but can be a bit of a sore, especially with taking shoes on and off for little people. Anything less than 16″ tall would cause the bench to look awkward. And almost feel out of place.
Sometimes when something is too small your eye tries to “fill in the gaps” so to speak.
Also we noticed throughout the front door “foyer” that there were about 6 small baskets, something from Target or the likes. And we wanted to get those baskets up and out of the way. Tucked somewhere.
Additionally, we knew we needed to put the extra space under the l shaped bench to good use.
Entry way bench with storage
The final dimensions on this custom build were 40″ long on the side towards the door and 30″ long on the side towards the window.
We added the lower shelf at 10″ so there was plenty of room for larger baskets. Things like shoes, and even coats would fit just great into the lower shelf.
Never maximize a space just because you have the room. Always allow the room for the piece of furniture to “breathe”. It will look more thought out and fit the space without feeling crowded.
The finish was 0% VOC approved hard wax oil. This was specifically chosen to be kid friendly. There would be nothing worse than having small butts and hands and feet around a piece of furniture that causes sensitive skin.
This is always an extremely well discussed and planned part of each of our piece. The finish can absolutely elevate a custom piece or totally distract from it ending up with a less than desirable result. It has to wear well. It has to hold up to moisture.
And, a great finish also needs to protect the piece of furniture, first and foremost. But one thing we are so passionate about is the organic feeling of wood. That feeling often gets lost when using “layering style” finishes, like a standard polyurethane. This type of a finish causes you to only feel the plastic layer of finish instead of the wood itself.
Its been said that the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the delight in the customers face. And in this way, you get paid twice. What is rewarding for us is knowing that we made a piece that fits the space so well and will serve a home family for as long as they want to keep it.
When you are ready to discuss your vision- reach out. We would love to get your idea to reality!
We are a 2 man woodworking design and build furniture studio located in the country of Nampa Idaho. We have been making custom furniture for more than a decade now.
