Welcome to our large shoe bench test 2023. Here we present all the shoe benches we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the internet.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best shoe bench for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy a shoe bench.
Contents
- 1 Summary
- 2 The Best Shoe Bench in the United Kingdom: Our Choices
- 3 Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a shoe bench
- 4 Decision: what types of shoe benches are there and which is the right one for you?
- 5 Buying criteria: you can use these factors to compare and evaluate shoe benches
- 6 Facts worth knowing about the topic of shoe benches
Summary
- A shoe bench gives a first impression of the furnishing style of the home. The entrance area should look inviting, but also be practically furnished.
- Basically, most shoe benches are placed by the coat rack, in front of the entrance door, in the garden or on the terrace. Here you should distinguish between materials that are suitable for outdoors and indoors.
- Shoe benches should be practical and ideally also offer storage space for insoles, shoe polish or brushes.
The Best Shoe Bench in the United Kingdom: Our Choices
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a shoe bench
What size should a shoe bench be?
(Image source: unsplash.com / Jakob Owens)
To find out how many pairs of shoes you can fit into your shoe bench, we have made a table for you to see how much space one or more pairs of shoes need.
| pairs of shoes | length x width |
|---|---|
| 1 | 30 x 20 cm |
| 2 | 30 x 40 cm |
| 3 | 30 x 60 cm |
| 4 | 30 x 80 cm |
| 5 | 30 x 100 cm |
It’s always good to have some space between your shoes. So be generous with the length of your shoe bench. Additional drawers, baskets or seats are also very useful if you have enough space. But more on this in the buying criteria.
What material should a shoe bench be made of?
If your shoe bench has an upholstered seat , you should avoid using leather or fabric upholstery outdoors, as moisture can penetrate the material. However, you can always ask the supplier of the shoe bench about this, as some upholstery is also designed for outdoor use.
(Image source: unsplash.com / Paulette Wooden)
Inexpensive shoe benches are often made of chipboard or laminated wood. These are less suitable for outdoors. In addition, the shoe bench should not be exposed to permanent sunlight or rain. This can damage the material in the long run.
Where should I put a shoe bench?
Usually, guests are offered slippers to wear inside the house. In Japan, for example, there is often a shoe bench made of wood or bamboo in the entrance area to store street shoes and slippers.
The shoe bench should be placed where you usually take your shoes off. It makes most sense to place it in front of the front door or in the entrance area.
What does a shoe bench cost?
You can buy very inexpensive models for as little as €15-20, while special designer models can cost several hundred euros.
What alternatives are there to a shoe bench?
A shoe tipper would also be a good alternative to a shoe bench. Here you can save space, especially in the width, and adapt the cupboard to the conditions of your location.
Shelves are often installed in the entrance area to store shoes. Very creative people let their shoes disappear in drawers integrated in the staircase. So there are numerous ways to create order in the entrance area.
Decision: what types of shoe benches are there and which is the right one for you?
What distinguishes a shoe bench for the wardrobe and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Most shoe benches are placed in the entrance area under the coat rack. There are many different designs and different materials from which shoe benches are made. In the indoor area, the choice of material is entirely up to your visual preferences, as the demands placed on the material are relatively low. Upholstering the seat is also possible indoors.
What distinguishes an outdoor shoe bench and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Shoe benches are also very popular outdoors and offer protection and space for shoes that are taken off before entering the home. They often have doors to protect the shoes from animals or moisture. There is usually enough space in the garden or on the terrace to store many pairs of shoes.
Buying criteria: you can use these factors to compare and evaluate shoe benches
Size
To determine the ideal size of the shoe bench, you should consider how much space is available at the location and how many shoes are to be stored in it.
Tip: A length of approx. 30 cm and a width of approx. 20 cm are recommended in order to be able to store larger men’s shoes well.
It is always good to leave a little space between the shoes. You should also bear in mind that not all shoes need the same amount of space. Sandals take up much less space than boots. Pumps, for example, also take up more space than sneakers.
Material
The right choice of material is especially important if the Schubank is to be left outside. Various environmental influences such as heat, humidity or low temperatures can cause the material to become brittle, fade or even mould. You should make sure that the materials are weatherproof. In the following table, we show you what these are and what properties they have.
| Material | Properties |
|---|---|
| Plastic | Easy to care for, water-repellent, insensitive, light weight, hard-wearing, can fade due to UV radiation |
| Wood | Requires care, durable, robust, classic |
| Metal | Durable, robust, weather-resistant with anti-rust coating, elegant |
| Aluminium | Light, resistant, weather-resistant |
Stability
Normally, fewer shoes are stored in shoe benches than in shoe cupboards, for example, which is why the weight of the shoes is less important. However, benches usually also provide seating, which is why stability should be taken into account. Often only one person sits on the shoe bench to put on their shoes, but it can also happen that it has to support the weight of several people at the same time.
First of all, pay attention to the manufacturer’s specifications. In most cases, benches made of sturdy materials such as wood or metal are very robust and can withstand the weight of two adults.
Accessories
Shoe benches are often equipped with various accessories. These include, for example, drawers in which shoe polish, insoles or brushes can be stored. Some models also have a small, extendable wooden shelf that is slightly lower than the seat. This way, even small children can put on their shoes themselves.
Adjustable compartments or dividers create order in a shoe bench. In some models, they can be adjusted individually to fit the size of the shoes.
Tip: Adjustable compartments are always an advantage because not all shoes are the same height. Especially in winter, boots or sturdy shoes take up more space than sandals or sneakers.
Doors are an important accessory of shoe benches, especially in outdoor areas. They prevent animals or a lot of moisture from entering the bench. They also protect against sunlight.
(Image source: unsplash.com / Douglas Sheppard)
In addition to drawers, some models also have baskets in which care materials, insoles or other items can be stored.
Design
The entrance area of a home gives a first impression of the furnishing style of the residents. Here, the room should above all appear inviting. With different designs, a great accent can be set when entering the flat.
If the flat is furnished in a modern style, a shoe bench made of metal or white wood fits wonderfully in the entrance area. If the furnishings are more rustic, a dark wood with grain would be a good choice of material for the shoe bench. Vintage style is also becoming increasingly popular for furnishings. Here, an “old-looking” shoe bench, if necessary also with decoration, is an eye-catcher in the entrance area.
If you want to furnish your home in an industrial style, you will certainly make the right choice with a material mix of wood and metal for your shoe bench.
Facts worth knowing about the topic of shoe benches
How do I clean and care for my shoe bench?
The care of the shoe bench varies depending on the material. Natural wood should be glazed, varnished or oiled before use. If the shoe bench is left outside, this process should be repeated annually. Metal, plastic and aluminium are very easy to care for and do not require any special care routines.
Cleaning the materials looks relatively similar. A sponge or cloth dipped in a soapy solution should remedy most stains. For coarser stains, a soft brush can be used.
Tip: When cleaning with the brush, only apply a little pressure so as not to scratch the material.
Are there special shoe benches for children?
Yes, there are special shoe benches for children. Especially in kindergartens, such special shoe benches are used because it is much easier for the little ones to put on their slippers or even rain boots when they are sitting on a low shoe bench.
Women own 17.3 pairs of shoes, which is considerably more than men, who own 8.2 pairs. Both wear only about half of their shoes regularly.
A good solution for the home would be to buy a shoe bench with an extendable seat. It can be pulled out at any time, so the children don’t have to sit on the floor when tying their shoes. As soon as it is no longer needed, the board can be pushed into the bench and is no longer visible.
Alternatively, there are also shoe benches with stools. Children can sit on the lower surface to be able to put on their shoes more easily.
Photo source: Belchonock/ 123rf.com
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