S ome reasons you might need or want a bench in your space: You need a place to sit while getting ready in the morning or changing clothes in the evening—in your bedroom, closet, or bathroom. You need a place near the front door to put on or take off shoes. You want to hide the back of your sofa or add extra seating to your living room without adding more chairs. You need to fill a small space with something functional—in a hallway, near a wraparound staircase, etc.