We have one at the lake on one side of our DR table. We mainly decided to go this way for 2 reasons: (1) grandkids can squeeze in there and don't care if there is no back; (2) the chairs for the table have fairly wide seats so this increases our seating capacity without resorting to a leaf and there isn't a lot of space anyway to extend the table. The end chairs are upholstered and on wheels which we can roll into the great room for extra seating if needed.

"The only drawback is that it’s a bit difficult to leave the table in the middle of the meal, without disturbing those seated next to you" That was my thought/concern too.

We have a bench with a back on one side of our table. Ds chooses to sit there these days. I have eaten there many times. It is fine, except that it is hard to get up and down in the middle of meals.

My son was advocating for a bench with our outdoor table -- until I had him sit with me to see how well it fit three people. I worked it so he was in the middle. He got in just fine. liked it Then I asked him how easy it was to get up and out. He saw my point -- you don't really get more seating without giving up independence. We got chairs.

We did have a bench for our breakfast room table when I was growing up. We liked it when we were little, but little doesn't last that long. No one wanted to sit in the middle and if you were on then end, you have to be a runner. Except for bathroom breaks. Oh -- a spilled drink is more likely to land in more than one lap and everyone has to get up and clean up. That's about all I can remember.

It's a fun alternative to dining chairs, but the in/out is a problem as is scooting the bench closer to the table if needed (has to be a group effort).

After a certain age (maybe 10 :) ) backs start hurting without a seat back to lean on.

Hated it even though it was a bench with a back. Kids can't move it and adults can't either. Looks nice in pictures, not so nice to sit on.

DS and DIL have one with no back. The people sitting on the bench don't last long when the meal is over...they make tracks for more comfortable seating.

We had a bench in a vacation rental. Hated it for the same reasons listed above. All adults would fight for the normal chairs.

I was at a dinner party the other night and the hostess fell off the back of the bench. She had forgotten that it didn't have a back.

like outside playing, we had one at the lake. Worked great there with tons of little kids around. I really couldn't see having one in my house though - especially now that the kids are older.

I don't think bench or not is the only issue. We had a trestle table..bench seating. Our benches had backs so were comfortable. This issue was the corner and all the scooching in and out if an inside sitter needed to get out before the end people were finished. It worked well for us with small children. Once they grew we opted for a table and chairs.

We had dining table bench seating (with no backs) when our kids were young. I hated them. Uncomfortable with no back and unable to swing your leg over to get out if people are sitting next to you. I think if a bench has a back it would be much better.

We went to a dinner party just last night. Several dining areas and one had bench seating on one of the rooms. Lovely room & lovely table. I was not quite the last person at the table, but had to sit in the middle. There is just not a graceful way to slip into the center. Both persons on the ends had to get up so I could be seated. Fortunately, they were very gracious, and I was very thankful I was wearing slacks and not a dress.

I'd been considering bench seating too, but after this experience, I think I'll be going with chairs.

Thank you all for the input. I need to go back to the store and take another look at the bench and see if the access will be an issue. I like the idea of a bench but I think 2 chairs is more practical.

We have a bench on one side of out trestle table and personally I love it! I have visions of my future grandkids lined up on one side! It's not the only kind of seating around the table though and I think that's why it works. I wouldn't dismiss the idea.

Had one when the kids were little. Our table only sits two on each side and one on each end. With the bench, we could easily fit three.

If we are having more people over than the table can seat, we will bring the bench back to the table.

It was great at that time, but now that the boys are teens, it's much more comfortable for them to sit in proper chairs.

My son and his wife have one. I don't like it because it's hard and I can't lean back. I've also noticed that my son and DIL don't want to sit on it, either!

I went and took another looksee at the bench...NOPE, it's not going to work. It worked with the table at the store because the table at the store is longer than mine and there was enough clearance to comfortably get in and out on each side of the bench. IF my table were longer, I probably would have gone with the bench. I guess it will be two additional chairs for us.

If benches at a dining table have so many cons, how does that compare to the banquettes in kitchens that are ever so popular? We are planning a window seat type banquette in our new build, similar to these below. Is this a bad idea? Will I regret it?

Mill Valley Classic Cottage · More Info

Classical Kitchen · More Info

If I had a house that could accommodate a banquet, I would have one. I had kicked that idea around for my space (condo)...I love the look and coziness of banquets.

I guess a banquet is more casual than a dining table with a bench. But after reading all the posts above, I'm now envisioning people crawling under the table or something to get out of the banquet... :-/