Having a bench, instead of dining chairs, at your dining table can actually do a lot for your space.

It makes the dining area look more spacious, because you are doing away with "visual volume" in the form of seat backs. Benches are also useful for squeezing in more people around the table — good when you have guests over! Also, in an open-concept dining area, having a bench doesn't break the visual flow between spaces, since it is low-slung.

See in the following slides some stylish dining areas that incorporate benches at the dining table.

Design: PIU Design

Design: The Scientist

Design: Akihaus

Design: Dwell Interior Design

Design: Edge Interior

Design: Eightytwo

Design: Hello Embryo

Design: Joey Khu Interior Design