For what it is worth? and jmo

A niche has entirely different "demands" than a flat wall. It rather begs its width to be filled.

Many ways to do that,...wood, paint, float the seat.....give it a front..but go edge to edge Yes to a back,,!!! and more presence and better than the almost but not quite look

I'd find a smash fabric, Let a wood carpenter build it in filler below seat or FLOAT and thick . Cushion back and comfy seat. Pardon the handy pencils..

There’s a big air return behind it so we can’t do anything f built in or that prevents flow.

Float it...... yet more modern , same idea : ) edge to edge, AND with a look of "banquette"

Or run the heat or whatever out the front as you would in a kitchen or in a bath vanity.

What do you think of something like this?

Thats exactly the suggestion i had upthread. it fits with your living room look and is simple to achieve.

I am going to see if we can flesh this out more.

May I suggest it will be a less KACHING if a narrower space? Studs and drywall and paint, and narrow the niche to six feet and a couple inches, Slide a 72 inch something in there.

The problem is the width./the market offers standard sizes/dollars. "I find a lot at 72"...........

You don't all sit at the same moment, and it need not match an opposite closet.

Interior Define/Canada 939.00 MANY colors/ 72 inches, and some drywall closing, snug it in there

Nora "" Interior Define Canada..........723.00 62".....

About 70 colors as above

Below

Nora "" Interior Define Canada..........723.00 62".....

About 70 colors as above

Example of length = $$$$$$$ . ? Even in a console with a lamp and a couple poufs below?

Wayfair Canada

Perfect below?? And another 800 smackeroos.

There is just no way I can see, that you get your whole look, whatever it shall be for 700 bucks.

Hubby is on board with the floating bench. Going to spend some time trying to find a local carpenter who might be able to do this job for us.

Pictures I ordered came in and I am open to suggestions and can use parts of them elsewhere as needed. My helper is holding one up with an existing frame we have to get a sense of size. To me this size frame seems too small and doing a larger vertical frame with custom matting is better? Do I do two print or three or just the one? The bigger vertical frame size with custom matting would be 25x35 the photos are 16x20.

I wouldn't do any framing or hanging until I had the right bench, and then make paper cutouts for a pleasing arrangement.

Think vertically is my advise, and you need more than three at that size. .You want to use 60% of the height above the bench, and at least 60 % of the width. Probably need six or five at that size....

The whole area is a "story"

In my comment I said I thought this was too small and doing a do had planned to go vertical and asked how many. The size of frame I am considering is 25x35 and three in a row.

That said I do hear the value in waiting on buying frames etc till bench settled. I am going to cut paper and think on it more in the meantime. And yes the project will cost over $750. I was hopeful! I am guessing more like $1k just for bench.

Five @ 25 x 35

three is lonely at that size.......Pillows........or bigger,,,, whatever.

If all it is , is a no back float bench, it needs mass,

Three , whether single vertical or in a row,,,,doesn't work ag all in that size.

Personally, if you REALLY want bang and just the float bench? Hang one sensational piece over the bench, a canvas, go big and use these elsewhere.

Do a 48 x 60 canvas, in float frame,,,,,or 60 x 60 and One big statement.

The frames I am interested in buying are like these three. So they are large and vertical. They would get custom matting so the horizontal images would be centred but the frames themselves would occupy a ton of vertical space. They are actually 36” tall. I converted the cm wrong.

Might be too busy.

Three framed pieces is too busy?

Three framed 25x36 are bigger than the current large print that is there.

I was trying to show that you might be able to use 2 of the smaller size(since you have them framed) in the middle and the larger verticals on the side. However, it might or might not be too busy.

I don’t have anything framed

I thought your helper was holding up your framed art. Okay - just another possibility to consider for your artwork design.

It’s just a frame we already have with the new picture taped. I wanted to get a sense of size. I am going to measure out some paper tomorrow and see how three in a row of 25x36 looks as a starting point.

" I would get custom matting so the horizontal images would be centered, but the frames themselves would occupy a ton of vertical space. They are actually 36” tall".

There is no way to mat a landscape orientation to portrait /vertical correctly, attractively or appropriately. No pro worth a dime, or one valuing his reputation will even do it.

You frame to the image/ content, You don't pre select a frame unless willing to change the content.and then you CAN decide mat size, increase presence, but you can not force any orientation change that will not look 100% awful.

About the largest you can take a 16 x 20 image, minus a very painful!!! amount of money? Below pic and 24 x 28"

Mat board is very pricey. Labor is money, and I just do not think it's a great look.

Your frames @ 25 x 35 need PRO advice at a frame shop, for how to tweak the image size. and even then...?

Do you love below..? As to a vertical stack of three using same/correct orientation? No better (worse, actually.)

How about a mirror, instead of art? I think it is more appropriate for a last quick look before you leave the house. Of course, some lighting and a runner add to the design.

You should think about some extra storage as well.

You must do you/hubby......however. Unless you want lies? I just don't think you will love your result,

I would close the space to 6' plus inches/ allowance for clearing, baseboards/SNUG .....with good old drywall. Slide a console in there @ 72" length as they are abundant, even in

Canada Any upholstery shop can make a great ottoman in a fabric you choose, and you slide it under.Add a lamp.....and pop a great piece of art above, that suggests your locale...etc. Do you. 42 x 60 h ISH.

Dollars/look all considered. Bev had you at hellooooooooo? and I think the width of the niche is burning dollars.

This is also better, and same closed in to fit snugly, adjust one major piece of art......

^^

The OP does not want a runner, has another "mud" entry. : ) Wants a different look here, has an air return to deal with, requiring some clearance fro whatever shall be in front.

Thanks everyone. Just fro clarity as it seems to be getting lost on this the pictures can be put in a large frame and then matted to fit. It is a look similar to but not exactly the same as the pics below. We now have irons in the fire for three quotes on the built in bench and are keen to see where those lead us. We don’t need storage, have entry carpets just outside of this image at the front door and the garage door and a mudroom down the hall by the garage door so a runner is overkill ajd not at all needed.

If you want it, know what you want ? Then you do it.

A 36 inch height, three across an 8' span......

I think the matting is odd and th images will loo splotchy. You must do ..you

It’s okay of this matting style isn’t appealing to you. I’ve seen it in images and in a friend’s home and quite like it. That said I haven’t purchased anything yet. All I have is the photos blown up. Once we have the quotes for the bench we can begin to see this all develop.

I am very grateful for the two posters who recommended the floating bench idea. It wasn’t remotely on our radar and both my husband and I really like it as an overall concept. Thank you for that!

Whatever happened to this?

" I store the pillows in the closet, It works for us......Would new lamps look good and skip the art? I''d love some green in there........live plant or something? and we don't spend alot of time in there. .........

If you rented it for a night in a hotel? You'd be thrilled?

In a heartbeat, I would major joooooosh this room!!.

I'd use 18 x 24 of your planned hallway photos, three across., tight together, in new frames you can buy for a song, mats already in them.

Whatever!!!

Funny you bring this room up! It is a part of the process. I have pictures I am thinking of putting here too. Either here or in primary bath and then transferring art from bathroom to this room. But it is all on hold till I sort out entry and what frames and pics go there. Between the entry, bedroom, bathroom, I will use, in some format the six landscape photos of our travels and the one custom piece a dear friend made me. I guess you couldn’t help yourself and find something to drag with the wall colour and bedding hey. Interesting to pull in another post and then make a completely unneeded dig.

It's not a dig..........it is get one spot to a finish you may love. I get the "picture" concept in hall.....Just saying proportion and opportunities, within the easy to do.....,leads sometimes, to better results. The photos are clearly meaningful......not sure that much mat enhances the meaningful, just because you can find it on the internet. : )

I am totally content to have a number of projects on the go and pick away at them. I love my home and am grateful daily.

We are getting quotes for a wood floating bench for our entry niche that appear to vary quite a bit in terms of how the neck is supported and what materials are used. Google isn’t really helping me understand what method is best and most safe.

The niche is 8 feet 3.5” inches width. The bench is going to fill the space and be 18” deep. There is an air return along the back wall of the space that needs to be considered too.

Options we’ve been given so far are:

1. solid 4” Douglas for piece of wood installed with steel iron angles at the ends and a continuous support piece at the back. This is securely anchored to the studs and the bench itself.

2. A 2x4 shelf being created and anchored to the studs and then plywood veneer in white oak being added to it to create the bench or using real 3/4” white oak although I can’t picture this.

3)L brackets being installed and the wooden bench sits on top. Although I am not sure how they would do this and deal with the air return.

You mentioned that folks will sit on it putting on shoes. You might want to find out about the weight capacity for the benches.

It’s a bench. So yes people will sit on it. That is why I am clarifying and asking for. Suggestions here too. I want to understand what method is safest.

So again, looking for feedback on the construction options of the floating bench, which is what we have decided to do, and want to do it safely.

@wsea and @jan how thick should the floating wood bench be?

@ 93 1/2, length I think you need the finished "look" of

3 1/2 " ........the wood itself need not be 3/1/2, because you can frame support brackets in plywood. I'm staring at my ruler too....fyi and feels right at 3.5

I'd use "Right On" Brackets. - how many depends where exactly studs are., but seems you should have four between walls.

Five of these, each holds 150 lbs

Great video link below, on a DIY ,! ( I even like the THIN tufted pad, ( any upholster could make a channel tufted )which has an nice modern/organic look for its non traditional thickness and maybe a bit of color . Or not : )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-hzzHwtp0

_______________________________________________________________________

No sagging !!!! ( thank u AI )

" Support Points: An 8-foot span is too long for a "true" float supported only at the ends. You must anchor a 2x4 or 2x6 ledger board into every wall stud along the back length using lag screws.

• Deflection (The "Sagulator"): At 8 feet, a 3.5" thick bench with a 1,000 lb load (about 4-5 adults) will typically sag only about 0.03 to 0.09 inches, which is nearly invisible to the eye.

Get with your guy, and HOWEVER he frames/supports it...no sag lol and safe, If three of you sat ast the same time, ( unlikely ) I doubt you'd exceed 600 lbs, but hardly the point, Wood does what wood does. Bows.

Freezing a couple shots from that video......and shorter length of bench which might be 2 3/4 thick? and six feet at most in length.....

I'd stick a 3.5

It is looming more and more like it will be a slab of wood not a box. He has quoted 4” thickness but the photo provided by him looks super thick. I was thinking 3” would be lighter and easier to navigate. Going to get him on site to check out the studs and do some measuring.

I think 4” plus would look nice, but id be tempted to mock it up with cardboard. 3 might seem out of proportion due to the length.

Guess you have to take it up with him, - mock it up in place with cardboard and duct tape. : )

It can not be less than 3"

Not at that length ........and tht is why I think 3.5 is the sweet spot.

Watch the video up above.

Have seen a similar video. It is one of many ways to do this. Our carpenter wants to use a solid piece of wood not this method. We need to get him on site to see how realistic thos is.

More like this install.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSmwBk9jxX9/?igsh=emJiaGsxZDlwOTU2

If I wanted to be certain of best method? I'd first do this:

Go get a stud finder at the hardware store. Move your bench, mark those with masking tape on the walls. They are probably 16" apart , two each side of the return? Mark exact size location of the air return..... to make a sketch.., to show us.

You may need a contractor prior to this wood guy.

You can rip off the lower drywall, install wood blocking between studs use the right brackets and be able to stand Atlas on it.

I'm just getting a sense he's trying to do this with least disturbance to surface, I might be dead wrong! But with 3" ..3 1/2 , I'd invite @ Millwork to the thread. He's the guru

But its a bit vague content for best answer support and method. ......in what we all know as to conditions behind current bench and drywall.

I'd not trust that without iron, solid blocking every stud. JMO...

The link doesn't show whole process....

No one is worried about disturbing the drywall or not. The goal is a safe bench . If that requires drywall removal then it will be done. The L shaped metal brackets are commonly used for this from all we have read and definitely require drywall impact. Someone is coming to do a site visit today to get a real world look at it and make a safe plan.

Great site visit today. The brackets attached to studs is definitely the way to go. There are five studs along the back wall. So now to wait for quotes to get the supports installed would place and finalize the bench quote too. This is going to take awhile but will be well worth it if done well.

Just wanted to give an update tust we are going ahead with the built in bench but do to schedules and work etc it will be happening this summer so project on hold till a few months from now when I am off work and the trades can take us on. We are excited to have a plan.

Yeah, cant wait to see the final result