Often surprised by the lack of benches I see inside of homes, modern benches have been barging into style with a vengeance lately given designers’ affinity for the stilted plank. Many are available for indoor and outdoor use given their stainless steel shells and hearty powder-coated lacquers while others offer the simplicity and sensible design we seek for the perfect “foot of your bed” accompaniment. However you see a modern bench used best, the options in this week’s Top Ten list are sure to redesign your entire indoor or patio space based on the simple geometries used to create some of the most expressive seating on the market.

Modern Benches Add the Flair of Color, Lacquer, and Design Needed to Revive Your Indoor or Outdoor Space

1. Botanist Flora

DESIGNER: Dario Antonioni and Brandon Lynne
MANUFACTURER: Orange 22
PRICE: $1,163
Dimensions: 23"H x 65"W x 22"D

Featuring botanical graphic cut outs, the sleek indoor/outdoor bench known as Botanist Flora comes in your choice of twenty different colors. Match it to a cocktail table and nesting end table to complete the nature-inspired series made out of powder-coated aluminum by Dario Antonioni and Brandon Lynne for Orange 22.

2. Linear
MANUFACTURER: Sarabi Studio
PRICE: $875 and up
Dimensions: 18″H x 58″W x 11″D

Brushed stainless steel makes the Linear bench by the Sarabi Studio the perfect, customizable bench for a thin hallway or along the side of your outdoor patio. Partner the bench with its matching console table, side table, stool, or coffee table to complete the look, and feel content with it being hand crafted right in Austin, Texas.

3. Soft Bench
DESIGNER: Lucile Soufflet
MANUFACTURER: Toleries Foreziennes
PRICE: approx. $4,225 (3,083 Euro)
Dimensions: 108″L x 19.3″W x 15″SH

A must for modern outdoor benches, the Soft Bench by Lucile Soufflet for Toleries Foreziennes is no ordinary seating plank. As they say, this bench “suddenly undulates and gets twisted to propose a flexible and relaxed seating on half of its length”. Made from a strong steel with primary zinc and epoxy powder coating, the Soft Bench gives urban furniture a relaxing space to lean on.

4. Truss A-Frame
DESIGNER: Scott Klinker
MANUFACTURER: Context Furniture
PRICE: $415
Dimensions: 47″L x 17″W x 17.5″H

Geometric designs help to differentiate the Truss A-Frame bench from simple wooden bench designs. Created by Scott Klinker for Context Furniture, the birch multi-ply and plastic laminate seating is designed for indoor use, perfectly complimenting Scandinavian textiles, a colorful beach house interior or a space rich with architectural quality – appreciating the legacy of a strong truss A-frame regardless of scale.

5. Billund
DESIGNER: Nanna Ditzel
MANUFACTURER: Fredericia Furniture
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 3-seater – 92″L x 25.6″D x 31.9″H and 4-seater – 123″L x 25.6″D x 31.9″H

Originally designed for the international airport in Billund, Denmark, this bench by Nanna Ditzel was developed using Nanna Ditzel’s 2002 Icon chair (2650) as inspiration. The three- or four-seater versions have big, round seats atop a glass-blasted stainless steel frame. They come upholstered and are easy to link together and replace.

6. Cognita
DESIGNER: Blu Dot
MANUFACTURER: Herman Miller
PRICE: $999
Dimensions: 54″L x 18″W x 18″D

A walnut case with brushed steel legs makes the Cognita a perfect storage solution for any home or office space. With a cushion upholstered in a tough wool/polyester blend, the Blu Dot design of this Herman Miller bench is said to “blend nicely with classic mid-century furniture or contemporary pieces” – making it the perfect addition to any space in celery green, chili red, or chocolate brown.

7. Portofino
MANUFACTURER: Cattelan Italia
PRICE: $2,181
Dimensions: 55″W x 17″D x 16″H

Glam surface meets straightforward, modern function with the Portofino bench by Cattelan Italia. Top it off with its bevelled mirrored glass, smoke-gray glass, or extra white glass and leave it as a simple accent to the end of your bed or couple it with the matching console table for a full, glossy effect in any room.

8. Winston
MANUFACTURER: Pfeifer Studio
PRICE: $410
Dimensions: 33″L x 14″W x 16″H

Using black leather sides and a golden brown cowhide seat, the Winston can be the modern bench for your entry way or at the foot of a bed. It can also be used as a cocktail table or side table in your living room area. Similar to the Sarabi Studio products – which are made in the USA – Pfeifer Studio swiftly ships their goods from their Albuquerque, New Mexico studio, right to your doorstep.

9. Motion
DESIGNER: Monika Förster
MANUFACTURER: Gärsnäs
PRICE: 693 Euro (for stain, add 83 Euro)
Dimensions: 43.3″ x 21.6″ x 33.8″

This gorgeous birch veener bench by Monika Förster for Gärsnäs can be stained or lacquered and used as a public or private bench. Like a multiple-height picket fence, the simple perfection of the Motion bench has a right and left version that links together. Together, it forms a wave-like backrest that debuted at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2011 – earning rave reviews – just a couple of weeks ago.

10. Tagei
DESIGNER: Akemi Tanaka
MANUFACTURER: Akemi Tanaka
PRICE: $4,000
Dimensions: 44″- 88″L x 17-1/4″H x 20″W

With a sleek designed coffee table that splits into an upholstered bench between two end tables, Tagei – meaning versatility – was conceived by Akemi Tanaka as the perfect comfort for an efficient home. Use it without the cushion and this coffee table translates itself into a storage unit with end tables. Truly endless possibilities abound with the potential within this natural bamboo plywood grain bench unit.

Hope you enjoyed our roundup of the Top Ten Modernist Benches!

Top Ten articles publish every Tuesday. Email 3rings@designerpages.com if there’s a category you’d like to see.