3 Approaches to Custom Looking Entryway and Sun Room Benches
An entryway or mudroom bench is the perfect solution to family clutter. Whether it is free standing or built in, an entryway bench and can also give your home a finished, custom look.
The same is true for a cozy sun room window seat or a breakfast nook bench.
The good news is, they don’t have to be custom made.
I often get requests from homeowners who want an entryway, mudroom, or sun room bench, but think they have to be custom made. This is definitely not the case. I will show you how you can save some money and still get the function and look of a custom installation.
There are 3 basic options you have when approaching a project like this. They are:
- Standard “off the shelf” kitchen cabinets
- Ready to assemble (RTA) or “flat pack” kitchen cabinets and shelving units
- Custom made cabinets
Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of each type.
Standard Cabinets
These are what you find at your home center store and sometimes at warehouse outlets if you have them in your area.
Cost: $
Pros
- Quick and easy availability
- They are ready to install
- Pre-finished. This is huge. Painting cabinets is more time consuming than you might think and it can never match the quality of a factory finish without a lot of extra time and work.
- Can be made to look built in. The use of different styles of trim can give these plain cabinets a truly custom look.
Cons
- Standard cabinet sizes can sometimes make it difficult to make them work in your space. For example, upper cabinets are best suited for benches, but they are only 12″ deep which can really limit storage space. Here’s an example from Lowe’s.
- Limited styles, colors & finishes
- Cheap construction (particle board)
RTA “Flat Pack” Cabinets & Shelving Units
These are most often associated with IKEA, but there are many brands available. This category is where you will find the most variety. Thinking outside of the box can give you some interesting results. For instance, IKEA’s Liatorp or Besta TV stands and Kallax shelving unit are all great bases for a bench. Just add a nice stained wood top and some trim to match your home.
Cost: $-$$ Sometimes can be less than standard cabinets.
Pros
- Also pre-finished
- Narrow shelving units turned their sides can make great bases with open cubbies. Just add baskets! Here’s an example from Amazon.
- Can also be trimmed to look custom
- Greater selection of styles, colors & finishes
- Sometimes have better construction (thicker material)
Cons
- Also come in standard sizes
- Require assembly. This can add to cost depending upon assembly time required. This can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some folks do the assembly themselves to save some $.
Custom Made Benches
These are not as cost restrictive as with built in cabinets & bookcases because they are typically simpler. I do these most often as they allow for the best use of what are often small spaces. Here are a couple of examples.
Cost: $$-$$$
Pros
- Can be made in pretty much any size, style, or configuration.
- Best for large and/or elaborate installations or when you want a particular configuration.
- All wood or MDF construction
Cons
- Require painting or stain with clear topcoat
- Most always require custom doors/drawers if you want them
- Everything assembled by hand
Conclusion
As you can see, having the benefit of entryway benches and lockers does not have to carry the expense of having custom work done.
For overall versatility, variety of styles, and cost effectiveness, I don’t believe that you can beat the RTA cabinet, and IKEA is king of the hill in this category. The shear variety of options that they offer can cover just about any type of application. However, if you are looking for a more traditional style, there are still many manufacturers that offer great values in RTA cabinets and shelving units.
The comparisons of cost offered here are just for the cabinets or shelves themselves. The total cost of each project will depend upon the level of trim and the complexity of the installation. This holds true no matter which option you decide upon.
If you live in the Durham-Raleigh area and are wanting a entryway or mudroom bench, give me a call. We can get together and discuss which options are right for you. Put my years of experience to work to save you some money and give you the look you want!