Appropriate dimensions for built-in bench with cushion

13 years ago

I'm buying a table that is 30" high and 96" long. I've decided to build a bench to run along one side and plan to put pillows on the bench. I have measured my chairs, and the seats are 18" from the floor, which seems to be the standard height to fit under a standard 30" high table. My question: in planning hte height of the bench should I make allowance for the pillows? If I plan on getting 3" pillows should the bench only go to 15"? It's confusing, since I don't know how much to expect that the pillows will sink when people sit on them. Any advice?

Featured Answer

PRO

McNulty Design Group

11 years ago

I have used many different heights for my clients depending on how tall they are and the purpose for the bench. Typically a 17" high rough bench size and a 3" cushion is very comfortable as it will compress to approximately 18". Use an HD36-High Quality Foam or better yet, a Lux Foam - R regular. That should do the trick.

David McNulty, CKD, Interior Designer.

McNulty Design Group, Inc.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
13 years ago
From what I have read, the bench should also be 18" as the cushions will compress. I will also be interested in seeing what designers say as we are recommending this for a potential customer.
PRO
Otrada Design LLC
13 years ago
http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/must-have-measurements-for-comfortable-seating/
Here is an image found online.

We just had a built-in cushion made for a customer, but ours was only 68" long. A 3" cushion was recommended by our upholsterer because anything thinner would not look correct in scale. Although the cushion will compress, I'd make the bench 18" high because this way you could use it with OR without a cushion.
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debbyallen
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you both, Deborah and Otrada. I also checked with a cushion manufacturer, and they said the same thing -- stick to the normal chair height both because the cushion will compress and because there is some room for variability even without the cushion. I'll post a picture when it's all done.
Nick Fobes
8 years ago
Helpful comments here. Building an eat in dining space out of a bay window in our kitchen and had this same question. Thanks!
PRO
Patio Lane
8 years ago
If you use a firm density foam, there will be very little compression.