That welcome mat outside the front door says it all; you want people to feel welcome in your home. But what have you done to make them feel welcome once they come inside. If you have a beautiful carpet, as soon as people come in, they may be quickly struggling to take their shoes off so they aren't the one to track dirt into your home. Depending on how your foyer is designed this may be just part of the welcoming experience, or an inconvenient and uncomfortable situation.
Consider a guest who has a pair of lace-up boots on. They want to be polite and remove their shoes. But, the entry way offers little help, as there is only an accent table and umbrella holder. They could put their weight on the accent table as they try to do this, but what if it's not as strong as it looks? They could also put their hands on your wall, but that may leave marks. The last option is hopping on one foot while trying to pry a shoe off of the other. If you turned to entryway benches this would not be a problem. Your guests would be happy to sit down, and talk as they unlace and take off their shoes.
Kids Cubby Storage
These days, entryway benches come in designs to match every décor, and some even come with a few perks, being more than just a place to sit.
Storage Space
Some of today's entryway benches double as chests. Underneath the seat are large chests, the length and depth of the benches, where you can store items that are not needed at the time. It could be outerwear, that you will need when the weather turns sour, or outdoor sporting equipment that the kids can use when they go out, but don't have to be strewn all over the hallway when they come in. If you have a lot of guests coming to your house, you may even want to use this space for extra bedding items.
A Place to Hang Your Hat
If you want a piece of furniture that looks as if you have gone back in time, consider entryway benches with treetops. This does not mean a bunch of branches are coming out of the entryway benches, but it has a back or posts rising up out of the back that offer coat and hat hangers on the top, so as your guests come in, they can truly feel welcome, kicking off their shoes, hat and coat all in one place.
The Homework Hang Out
Other entryway benches offer shelving under the bench surface. This is a great way to remind the kids to take everything they need to school with them. You can go with a cubby-hole style bench storage area that is reminiscent of the classroom and remind them to grab their backpack before they go. If they don't need that strong of a reminder, a simple bench with an under-shelf to hold those backpacks should be enough.