Long Table Bench

• If you have a long kitchen table, put chairs on one side, and a wide-plank bench on the other. Chairs bunched around a table look busy and they get tangled with neighboring chairs. Make it easy for your kids and other family members to slide in and out by purchasing or building your own table bench. Paint it in a bright color of semi-gloss paint, and, to give it a personal touch, have your kids do a bit of splatter painting on it.
  
  

Fireplace Bench

• If you have a kitchen fireplace, purchase a small bench at an unpainted furniture store to put in front of it. Buy colored stains to create a two-tone bench. Choose a dark color for the legs and arms and a light shade of blue, rose or turquoise stain for the top. Or, choose a stains that suit your kitchen decor.
  
  

Storage Bench

• If your kitchen is near your house's back door, put a bench near it where you or your kids can store mittens, boots, scarves and umbrellas for rainy or snowy days. Paint it in colors that fit your kitchen decor, or consider a shabby chic finish. Shabby chic is a type of antique-inspired finish. Paint the bench in two coats of semi-gloss, using pastel shades. Allow the paint to dry between coats. Sand the edges with fine-grit sandpaper (to resemble worn surfaces) and finish it with a coat of clear polyurethane.
  
  

Little Bench

• Make a small bench for a child so he'll have a place to sit while you prepare the evening meal, or she can stand on it while she's helping you. Paint it in red semi-gloss, or apply rubber stamps to it in colorful florals. Or apply stamps or stencils in themes unique to your young child's interests, such as a love of firetrucks. For safety, apply a coat of slip-resistant paint to the top.
  
  

Corner Bench

• Construct a bench for an empty corner, and paint it a color that complements your kitchen. Make it an attached bench or one that can be moved from one room to another. Put a shelf or drawers underneath for extra storage. Build it by a window for a place to curl up with a book on a rainy day. Add pillows or cushions for comfort.
  
  

Kitchen Island Seating

• Make a spot where two people can sit a little closer together by building an island bench. This is a great bench style for quick, informal dining or a spot to have a quiet cup of tea. To avoid having a big clunky bench in your kitchen, use benches that are comfortable for two, putting two smaller benches side-by-side.