I Can’t Believe How Chic This Versatile Seating Find Is (It Instantly Decluttered My Living Room!)

For the most part, I’m happy with the size of my apartment. I can’t say the same for the layout, though. The kitchen and living room are one long stretch of space, which makes furnishing and decorating kind of a challenge. My roommates and I have moved things around countless times to find the best furniture configuration, but something always feels off.

When one of my roommates moved out and got rid of the green velvet bench that sat opposite our couch, I scrambled to find a replacement, as our two-seater sofa doesn’t offer enough space for everyone to sit comfortably at one time. I decided I still wanted a bench, but I wanted it to be more functional and aesthetically pleasing than our old one.

It was then that I remembered Sabai, a brand that produces sustainably made furniture, some of which I’ve seen firsthand in its Williamsburg, Brooklyn, showroom. In browsing through all of its products online, I came across the Essential storage bench, which the brand kindly let me test. As it turns out, it was just the thing my living room needed to actually feel like a living room.

This bench is actually part of Sabai’s first furniture collection, the Essential Collection, which is highly customizable. Not only is the bench available in a variety of upholstery colors, but you also get to choose among three recycled or upcycled materials: velvet, hemp, and polyester. You can also choose among four different leg styles and finishes, including tapered wooden legs or tall metal legs. As a result, you’ll have no problem matching the bench to the rest of your furniture. 

Size-wise, the bench has a low profile, and at 50 inches long, it’s about the same length as a small love seat. It has a depth of 18 inches, which is more than enough space to sit — even cross-legged! But the star feature of the Essential bench is its hidden storage. Simply lift the top to reveal its wide, roomy compartment, which is perfect for storing throw blankets and books.

At first, I thought about supplementing my sofa with a pair of accent chairs. I realized, however, that a bench of a certain length would be able to accommodate more than two people, which would come in handy whenever I host guests. The second I saw the Essential bench’s clean design and large-but-not-too-large silhouette, I knew it was the right pick for my space.

Well, technically, I had to measure my living room first, but doing so only confirmed that the bench would fit perfectly in the empty space to the left of my couch. I debated between a couple of upholstery colors, including the Farro upcycled polyester and the Chocolate recycled velvet. But ultimately, I got the Oat upcycled poly; I figured I’d keep my furniture neutral and add color to my living room with decor. So far, the material has proved easy to spot-clean and matches my couch almost exactly.

Unboxing the bench was a breeze; all I had to do was pull it out and twist the legs into place. I situated it in the space between my living room and kitchen, so it serves as a divider to break the rooms up. Once the bench was all set, I got to decide what to put in the storage compartment. I loaded it up with candles, extra tissue boxes, and some serveware that I only use when people come over. I’m happy to report that my kitchen and bedroom are so much less cluttered thanks to this feature.

If you’re similarly after low-key but still beautiful living room seating, Sabai may have just what you need. Maybe you’ll love the Essential storage bench as much as I do, or maybe you’ll discover another sustainably made accent piece that similarly suits your space flawlessly.

Buy: The Essential Storage Bench, $595