Dear Francesca,
Inspired by your brief, I’ve pulled together a selection of compact benches that bring a little more personality to the hallway, while still being practical for everyday life.
I’ve looked for pieces with playful shapes, colours and textures, as well as options with storage for shoes, bags and those little things that tend to gather by the front door. As it was a bit of a challenge to find benches within the exact dimensions you requested, I’ve included a few options that are slightly larger — around 10–20cm over the maximum length.
If you don’t have the extra space, I would also suggest considering two small round ottomans with storage instead. They could give you a similar practical function while adding a fun, more playful feel to the hallway.
If you’d like a little more support pulling everything together, take a look at Style, our room design service at Design Lab By Livingetc. We’d have a 45-minute one-to-one call to discuss your space, and afterwards I’d put together a full moodboard for your space, along with tailored product recommendations and a clear design direction.
I hope you enjoy exploring your curated edit, and I’d love to hear which pieces you feel most drawn to.
Best wishes,
Iokasti
DUSK
Rachel Arch Front Seated Storage – Mocha
This one feels like a really good balance between practical and playful. The curved arch front gives it a bit of personality, while the hidden storage is perfect for keeping shoes, bags and all those hallway bits you don’t necessarily want on show. The mocha colour also makes it easy to work into a more eclectic space.
Westwing
Small Bouclé Upholstered Bench Alto With Storage Space
I love the softness of this one. The bouclé gives it a cosy, slightly playful feel, while the hidden storage makes it much more useful than it first appears. It would be a lovely little “sit down, take your shoes off” moment in the hallway.
Ferm Living Kids
Kids Wooden Bench Little Architect With Storage
This is definitely one for adding a bit of fun to the space. The colour and playful proportions give it more of a design-object feel, while the storage keeps it practical. It would work especially well if you want the hallway to feel a little less serious.
Ferm Living Kids
Kids Wooden Bench Slope With Storage Space
Don’t let the children’s label put you off — I actually think the compact proportions could work really well in a small hallway. The simple wooden design has a nice mid-century feel, and the storage underneath is ideal for shoes. A fun option if you want something unfussy and slightly unexpected.
Wayfair
Fairmont Park Akikazu Modern Upholstered Storage Bench
The rounded shape makes this one feel softer and more contemporary, and I think it would look particularly good in a small hallway where you don’t want anything too bulky.
Dunelm
Recycled Velour Lozenge Ottoman With Tray
This one has a lovely sense of fun thanks to the velour and quilted lozenge texture. I also like the tray detail, which makes it feel more versatile than a standard bench — somewhere to perch, but also somewhere to drop your keys or other hallway essentials.
Nordlys
Scandinavian Design Bench With Storage
The yellow is what immediately caught my eye here. It brings exactly the kind of cheerful personality you mentioned, while the simple Scandinavian shape keeps it from feeling too over-the-top.