Window Seat Length vs Table Length and Tresle Table Qs

6 years ago

I'm planning a window bench in my kitchen redesign that will be approx 18-19" in depth and will be flanked by 2 bookcases. How much beyond the table should a window seat bench extend to allow easy entry? Is there a rule of thumb? What should the depth of the bookcases be to open the corner of the bench for easier entry? One of the bookcases will be in a corner so also need to figure the width of the bookcases, i.e. clearance from table to wall.

I wanted to use a Trestle table also for easy in/out but the tresle design presents some challenges for leg room/foot placement on the long side and knee room on the short side and limit the number of chairs that can comfortably fit at the table. Any thoughts from those who have a window seat/tresle table set up - does the tresle design make that much of a difference for access into the window seat, do you use end chairs? If the chairs on the long side straddle the tresle, is that an issue with where to put your feet? In this set up would a legged table with 4-6" end overhangs, which would move the leg away from the corner, work better?

Thanks for any input!

Here are 2 scenarios:

#1 Table 60" long with 2 chairs long side and end chairs - clearance to wall is 38" but end chair in that space - seems tight. This is the length of our current legged table that fits 6 chairs easily

#2 Table 72" Long with 3 chairs on long side - clearance table to wall is 32" with no end chair

Featured Answer

Kasia Mello

last year

I love your idea of the window bench and feel sorry that everyone was a downer about it. Just because something might take a little bit more effort does not mean it is not worthwhile.. so what if kids or guests need to scoot to sit on the bench - are we now at the point in society where no one has to make any effort at all for anything? Anyway… I digress.. I know it’s been a few years and I wonder how your bench turned out! Wishing all the best!

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Comments (9)

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Anglophilia
6 years ago
It's a pain to get in and out - table not easily moveable. And de-crumbing that bench will be a nuisance.
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Mrs. S
6 years ago
Our trestle table is super heavy, immovable for kids. We have a bench next to a window, similar to your setup. It is imperative, imho, for the bench to have no cushion, so kids can slide over. You can’t slide on a cushioned bench.

We have chairs on the ends, but not built in’s like yours. Lightweight chairs are easy to slide around, and an extra seat can come in handy, on the ends.
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User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
The bench needs to extend at least 18” beyond the table on each end. You have pinch points that will not make it very welcoming or used or accessible. Banquettes look cool, but they are a PIA to actually use. Just go eat at a diner unand sit on an inside seat until you get it.
nehome
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for the replies - although no one seems fond of the window bench idea! Did you plan and regret or inherit window bench seating? It is just my husband and I at home now and I was expecting only 2 people to sit on the window bench side when just us or with guests so I don't expect sliding over to be an issue (or crumbs) but I'll keep that in mind in selecting a fabric for the cushion. I currently seat 6 at our table and was not looking for more seating than that. What is more important to me is comfortable seating to get us away from eating in front of the TV in the family room. I planed to put a small TV in the kitchen on the wall opposite the bench. I actually prefer the comfort of booth seating at a restaurant than hard wood chairs. And I agree sliding into a booth can be tricky but this bench would provide entry on both ends so a short distance to slide into place. Good point to keep in mind the weight of the table so with felt floor protectors it could easily move. With a little experimenting with my current table and chairs, an 18" extension seems about right!
0
Mrs. S
6 years ago
I don’t think you have a good reason for this type of seating arrangement. We are a household of 7, and have lots of kid over all the time. We smush 5 or 6 kids on the wood bench which I seem to recall is 84”, about the same length as our table, but I certainly wouldn’t want that if it was just me and dh. It’s kids who slide in.

Again, in restaurant booths, you have a slick, pleather surface to slide in on. I wouldn’t want that in my home. Unless maybe you want a really lightweight table that slides in and out(?), and then you seat your guests, and push the table towards them? I don’t think this arrangement seems suitable in your situation.
Mrs. S
6 years ago
Just a note about what you said about the TV in the kitchen. Why do want that? You want to get away from eating in front of the family room TV, but put a TV in where you eat?
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nehome
Original Author
6 years ago
I'm OK with watching TV while we are eating - we routinely watch the morning news while eating breakfast and my husband works late hours so typically were eating late and I'm fine with watching TV while eating dinner at 8/8:30. We had different rules when the kids were home when we always ate at the table with no TV distractions, still a requirement when everyone is visiting!
nehome
Original Author
last year
Hi Kasia

Yes, the responses focused on projecting what would not work for different situations than what I have with my family - 3 adults with no children (at the moment) so no crumbs and several short agile family guests that easily slide in and out from each end. We find the bench comfortable and are currently using a 60" table and the bench is 90". I do intend to get a pedestal or trestle table. The bookcases on either side are set back 5 1/2" from the edge of the bench so that opens up the corner for access. You do have to side step a few inches to get in, but I don't find that to be a burden vs the benefits we gained. With only 3 adults for regular meals, the idea was to keep a table but push it over several inches into a banquette arrangement to allow more space for an island. I was also advised against an island in my narrow kitchen - it is 24" and I love it! The bench allows more space to squeeze extra people at the table for holiday meals, which has worked out great, or to sit when socializing but not eating. As for the TV, with the Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins there is always a game so meals aren't delayed and no one needs to bring their meal into the family room!
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Window Seat Length vs Table Length and Tresle Table Qs

Kasia Mello

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Anglophilia

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Window Seat Length vs Table Length and Tresle Table Qs

Kasia Mello

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Mrs. S

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