take a seat: 8 of the best hallway benches

Leaving your shoes at the door when you come home is a good habit to get into – cleaner floors and rested feet anyone? In fact in some cultures, it's considered rude to leave them on if you're visiting someone's home. But we love it as it's a habit that also cries out for some stylish furniture.

A smart hallway bench will provide the practical benefits of having somewhere to sit while you, your family or your guests, switch footwear – or rest your bags while hanging up your coat when you get in, but it can also make a chic focal point in an otherwise bare entrance hall.

Our edit of the best hallway benches spans a range of styles that would suit most modern homes whether a bijou apartment or grand family abode. Read on and you'll find simple Scandinavian looks and pale blonde timber at both Pib and Ikea. There's luxurious Hollywood glamour at Houseology, boho luxe at Graham and Green or a Shaker influence at Staffan Tollgård.

We've discovered dark and dramatic geometric shapes at Bo Concept and Nest, while the bench by David Rockwell for Stellar Works has a valet pouch for storing things you might need when you leave the next morning.

Whichever bench you decide on, the advantages are more than purely aesthetic.

Soft and stylish, this super-slim bench will sit neatly in a hallway or alcove.

Designed by David Rockwell for Stellar Works to suit homes or hotels, this piece makes a stylish place to perch on your way in.

Handmade by artisans this quirky bench features chunky mango wood legs and a striking cowhide seat with a gold chevron design.

Inject vintage Hollywood glamour into your interior with this beauty, which features soft white wool upholstery and an elegant brass finished steel frame.

Inject vintage Hollywood glamour into your interior with this beauty, which features soft white wool upholstery and an elegant brass finished steel frame.

Small and simple, this beech bench is a nifty place to sit and take off your shoes.

Refined lines and geometric shapes make a fine feature of this beautiful bench.

The natural beauty of this simple piece stand out in the beautiful wood grain of the solid ash frame and the neatly woven ecru rattan seat.

Taking its influence from both Scandinavian and Shaker design traditions, this charming seat would make a dramatic focal point in an entrance hall.