# Hall Tree vs. Entryway Bench: Width, Depth, Seat Height and Hooks

By the Urban Picks team · Updated October 30, 2026

A hall tree and an entryway bench both give you a seat by the door and a place for shoes. A hall tree adds a tall back with coat hooks, so it needs wall height as well as floor space. A bench stays low and leaves the wall above it free. This guide shows how to choose between them and how to size either one, using the measurements of the hall trees and benches we carry.

## Key takeaways

- A hall tree adds a tall back with hooks (ours stand 67 to 78.25 in); a bench stays under 20 in and leaves the wall free.
- Measure the free wall, the depth you can spare and the door swing before you choose.
- Depth decides the walkway: our hall trees are 13.5 to 15.7 in deep, the benches 10.2 to 11.8 in.
- About 23 to 24 in seats one person; around 40 in, two can sit at once.
- Every hall tree we carry needs assembly and comes with anti-tip hardware for the wall.

## Hall tree or bench: what each one does

A hall tree puts three things in one piece of furniture: a seat, shoe storage under it, and a tall back with hooks for coats and bags. Ours stand 67 to 78.25 in tall, and some add cubbies or a ledge at the top for small things.

An entryway bench is the seat and the shoe storage without the back. The benches in the table below stand 18.7 to 19.75 in tall, so they fit under a window, a mirror or hooks you already have on the wall. One of them, the 9-cubby bench, comes with a separate 29.5 in coat rack that mounts on the wall above it.

Choose a hall tree when there is no closet near the door and coats need a place. Choose a bench when coats already have a home, or when the wall above is taken by a window, a radiator or a light switch.

## Measure the wall, the walkway and the door first

Three numbers decide the fit. The free wall width: from the door frame, a corner or an outlet to the next obstacle. The depth you can give up before the walkway gets tight. And, for a hall tree, the clear height up to a window, a shelf or a light fixture.

Subtract the depth of the piece from the width of the hallway to see what is left to walk past it. In a 42 in hallway, a 15.7 in deep hall tree leaves about 26 in; a 10.2 in deep bench leaves about 32 in.

Check the door swing too. A front door or a closet door that opens toward the wall needs its full width clear, and a lift-top bench needs room above the seat for the lid to rise, so coats should not hang down over it.

## How wide: a seat for one or for two

A seat about 23 to 24 in wide is a seat for one person and fits beside most doors. Our narrow hall trees are 23.1 and 23.5 in wide, and the smaller bamboo bench is 23.6 in.

Around 40 in, two people can sit and lace up at the same time. The wide version of the hall tree with enclosed shoe storage is 41.3 in, and the padded bench with a drawer is 40.9 in. In between sit the 28.25 in lift-top hall tree, the 29.5 in cubby bench, the 31.5 in flip-drawer bench and the 37.75 in lift-top hall tree.

If the whole wall is free, the 59 in hall tree with two drawers adds a cabinet, two drawers and four upper cubbies. If no wall is free, the corner hall tree follows a 90-degree corner with a top shelf of 17.7 by 17.7 in.

## How deep: the number that decides the walkway

Our hall trees run 13.5 to 15.7 in deep. The shallowest is the 37.75 in lift-top hall tree at 13.5 in; the cabinet styles are 15.25 to 15.7 in.

Our benches are shallower, 10.2 to 11.8 in, because they have no back. The flip-drawer bench is the slimmest at 10.2 in: its drawer tilts down from the front, so it needs no room for a door to swing.

Depth also decides which shoes fit inside. The flip-drawer bench and the bamboo bench take up to a men's size 11, the cubbies of the 9-cubby bench are 11.25 in deep for up to a US size 10, and the mesh tiers of the corner hall tree take up to a US size 10.5.

## Seat height and how much the seat holds

The seats on our benches sit roughly 17.5 to 19.75 in off the floor, close to the height of a dining chair seat, which is comfortable for pulling on boots. The flip-drawer bench puts its padded seat at 17.5 in, and the seat of the 37.75 in lift-top hall tree is 16.5 in high.

Weight ratings are listed where we have them: 264 lb on the narrow white hall tree, 265 lb on the narrow and 529 lb on the wide hall tree with enclosed storage, 265 lb on the flip-drawer bench, and 287 lb on the seat of the bamboo bench.

A cushion makes a hard seat friendlier. The flip-drawer bench has a removable, machine-washable cover; the bamboo bench and the padded bench with a drawer come with a cushion as well.

## Hooks: how many you need and what they hold

Count the coats and bags that live by the door in winter, then add one or two for guests. Our hall trees carry 3 to 8 hooks: 3 double hooks on the narrow white hall tree and on the 59 in hall tree, 3 or 5 hooks on the hall tree with enclosed storage, 4 double hooks and 5 double hooks on the two lift-top styles, and 8 hooks on the corner hall tree that slide along their rails.

A double hook has two prongs, so one hook can take a coat and a scarf. Hooks have their own limits: 6.6 lb each on the narrow white hall tree and 4.4 lb each on the hall tree with enclosed storage. Spread heavy bags over several hooks rather than piling them on one.

## Open shoe storage or closed

Open storage is faster for the pairs you wear every day and lets shoes air out. The bamboo bench has slatted shelves that let wet soles drip through, the 9-cubby bench gives every pair its own cubby, and the corner hall tree has two mesh tiers for up to four pairs.

Closed storage keeps shoes out of sight. The lift-top hall trees hide shoes under a hinged seat; on the 37.75 in style the compartment is 35.75 in wide, 11.75 in deep and 12.5 in high inside. The narrow white hall tree has a cabinet door with a shelf that moves between three heights, and the flip-drawer bench holds up to 8 pairs in a drawer that shows every pair at once when it tilts open.

## Assembly and fixing it to the wall

Every hall tree we carry needs assembly and comes with anti-tip hardware to fix it to the wall. A tall piece with coats hanging on one side can lean forward, so fit the anchor before you hang anything.

Benches are lower and steadier. The padded bench with a drawer is free standing, with no wall fixing required; only the separate coat rack of the 9-cubby bench mounts to the wall. Plan the carry as well: the narrow white hall tree weighs 50 lb and the padded bench 43 lb.

## Our hall trees and benches side by side

Sizes are for the whole piece. Shoe capacity varies with shoe size.

| Product | Product | Type | Width x depth | Height | Hooks | Shoe storage |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Hall Tree with Shoe Storage Bench, Narrow, White](https://urban-picks.com/products/narrow-hall-tree-shoe-storage-bench-white) | Hall Tree with Shoe Storage Bench, Narrow, White | Hall tree | 23.5 x 15.3 in | 72 in | 3 double | Cabinet with one door, shelf in 3 positions |
| [Hall Tree with Bench and Enclosed Shoe Storage](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-bench-enclosed-shoe-storage) | Hall Tree with Bench and Enclosed Shoe Storage | Hall tree | 23.1 x 15.7 in or 41.3 x 15.7 in | 70.9 in | 3 or 5 | Cabinet, up to 6 or up to 10 pairs |
| [Hall Tree with Lift-Top Storage Bench and 4 Double Hooks](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-lift-top-storage-bench-four-double-hooks) | Hall Tree with Lift-Top Storage Bench and 4 Double Hooks | Hall tree | 28.25 x 15.5 in | 67 in | 4 double | Under a hinged seat |
| [Hall Tree with Lift-Top Storage Bench and 5 Double Hooks](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-lift-top-storage-bench-5-double-hooks) | Hall Tree with Lift-Top Storage Bench and 5 Double Hooks | Hall tree | 37.75 x 13.5 in | 70.75 in | 5 double | Under a hinged seat, 35.75 x 11.75 x 12.5 in inside |
| [Hall Tree with Cushioned Bench and 2 Drawers, White](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-cushioned-bench-two-drawers-white) | Hall Tree with Cushioned Bench and 2 Drawers, White | Hall tree | 59 x 15.25 in | 78.25 in | 3 double | Two-door cabinet, 2 drawers, 4 upper cubbies |
| [Corner Hall Tree with 8 Movable Hooks](https://urban-picks.com/products/corner-hall-tree-8-movable-hooks) | Corner Hall Tree with 8 Movable Hooks | Corner hall tree | Top shelf 17.7 x 17.7 in, fits a 90-degree corner | 70.9 in | 8 movable | 2 mesh tiers, up to 4 pairs |
| [Bamboo Shoe Bench with Cushion, 3-Tier](https://urban-picks.com/products/bamboo-shoe-bench-cushion-3-tier) | Bamboo Shoe Bench with Cushion, 3-Tier | Bench | 23.6 x 11.4 in (also 35.4 in wide) | 19.3 in | None | 2 slatted shelves, up to 6 pairs on the 23.6 in size |
| [9-Cubby Shoe Bench with Wall Coat Rack, White and Oak](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-cubby-shoe-bench-wall-coat-rack-white-oak) | 9-Cubby Shoe Bench with Wall Coat Rack, White and Oak | Bench and wall rack | 29.5 x 11.75 in | 19.75 in | On the separate wall rack | 9 cubbies, up to 9 pairs |
| [Shoe Storage Bench with Flip Drawer, 31.5 in](https://urban-picks.com/products/shoe-storage-bench-flip-drawer-31-5-in) | Shoe Storage Bench with Flip Drawer, 31.5 in | Bench | 31.5 x 10.2 in | 18.7 in | None | Flip drawer, up to 8 pairs |
| [Storage Bench with Padded Seat and Drawer](https://urban-picks.com/products/storage-bench-padded-seat-drawer) | Storage Bench with Padded Seat and Drawer | Bench | 40.9 x 11.8 in | 18.9 in | None | 3 tiers of open cubbies and 1 drawer |

## Questions

- **How deep should an entryway bench be for a narrow hallway?** As shallow as the shoes allow. Our flip-drawer bench is 10.2 in deep and the bamboo bench 11.4 in. Subtract the depth from the hallway width to see what is left: in a 36 in hallway, a 10.2 in bench leaves about 26 in to walk past.
- **What is a good seat height for putting on shoes?** Close to a dining chair seat. The seats on our benches sit roughly 17.5 to 19.75 in off the floor; the flip-drawer bench puts its padded seat at 17.5 in.
- **How many coat hooks does a hall tree need?** Count the coats and bags that stay by the door in winter and add one or two for guests. Ours carry 3 to 8 hooks, and a double hook has two prongs for a coat and a scarf.
- **Does a hall tree have to be attached to the wall?** Yes. Every hall tree we carry comes with anti-tip hardware: it is tall, and coats hanging on one side can make it lean forward. Fit the anchor before you hang anything.
- **Is there a hall tree for a corner?** Yes. The corner hall tree has a 90-degree frame with a 17.7 by 17.7 in top shelf, stands 70.9 in tall and has 8 hooks that slide along their rails, plus two mesh tiers for up to four pairs of shoes.

## Related picks

- [Hall Tree with Shoe Storage Bench, Narrow, White](https://urban-picks.com/products/narrow-hall-tree-shoe-storage-bench-white): $141.99 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/narrow-hall-tree-shoe-storage-bench-white.md))
  Hang your coat, take a seat, and tuck shoes behind one door.
- [Hall Tree with Bench and Enclosed Shoe Storage](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-bench-enclosed-shoe-storage): from $142.99 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-bench-enclosed-shoe-storage.md))
  A place to sit, hang your coat, and put shoes away by the door.
- [Hall Tree with Lift-Top Storage Bench and 5 Double Hooks](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-lift-top-storage-bench-5-double-hooks): from $117.99 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-lift-top-storage-bench-5-double-hooks.md))
  Hang coats above, keep shoes behind a closed lid, and sit down to lace up.
- [Hall Tree with Cushioned Bench and 2 Drawers, White](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-cushioned-bench-two-drawers-white): $258.99 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/hall-tree-cushioned-bench-two-drawers-white.md))
  A seat for changing shoes, with a place for coats and small essentials.
- [Corner Hall Tree with 8 Movable Hooks](https://urban-picks.com/products/corner-hall-tree-8-movable-hooks): from $74.99 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/corner-hall-tree-8-movable-hooks.md))
  Give coats and shoes a place in an unused entryway corner.
- [Bamboo Shoe Bench with Cushion, 3-Tier](https://urban-picks.com/products/bamboo-shoe-bench-cushion-3-tier): from $47.99 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/bamboo-shoe-bench-cushion-3-tier.md))
  A padded bamboo seat over two slatted shelves that let your shoes air out
- [9-Cubby Shoe Bench with Wall Coat Rack, White and Oak](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-cubby-shoe-bench-wall-coat-rack-white-oak): $77.99 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-cubby-shoe-bench-wall-coat-rack-white-oak.md))
  A seat for changing shoes, with cubbies below and hanging storage above.
- [Shoe Storage Bench with Flip Drawer, 31.5 in](https://urban-picks.com/products/shoe-storage-bench-flip-drawer-31-5-in): from $85.99 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/shoe-storage-bench-flip-drawer-31-5-in.md))
  A front-tilting drawer for 8 pairs, with a cushioned seat on top

[More in Shoe Storage](https://urban-picks.com/collections/shoe-storage) ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/collections/shoe-storage.md))

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