Antique Storage Chair
These antique storage chair pieces combine daily utility with period character, offering hidden compartments disguised as benches, settles, and piano stools.
Antique Storage Chair
An antique storage chair brings together seating and concealed space, serving as a practical addition to hallways, bedrooms, and living areas. When you search for an antique storage chair, you are looking at items designed to hold belongings out of sight beneath a seat or within a box base.
The selections available here span forms such as monks benches, hall seats, settles, piano stools, and occasional benches. Oak and pine dominate the structural choices, alongside walnut and mahogany, with periods stretching from the Victorian era into the 1930s.
Hungarian painted box settles and Swedish pine dug out chairs represent the country styles found in these listings. Meanwhile, heavier carved oak pieces and Edwardian inlaid designs offer a more formal appearance suited to period interiors.
How they were made
Carpenters relied on solid oak and pine for the heavy framework of settles and monks benches, utilising panelled construction to ensure durability in busy hallways. Box seats required sturdy hinges and jointing to support frequent lifting and daily sitting.
Mahogany and walnut pieces often incorporated boxwood inlay and finer cabinetmaking techniques, particularly seen in piano stools and dressing seats from the Edwardian and Art Deco periods. Painted surfaces on Hungarian country items display traditional pigments applied directly to softwood bases.
Antique Storage Chair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for storage chair among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Some monks benches double as card tables once the back is flipped over, proving ancestors knew how to entertain in tight spaces.
What varies in quality
Construction methods dictate the longevity of the piece, with pegged joints and solid timber panels outlasting secondary woods and simpler fixings. The integration of the storage mechanism, whether a fold over top on a monks bench or a lift up lid on a settle, reveals the care taken by the original maker.
Carving depth and clarity distinguish standard production items from finer workshop pieces. The condition of original painted surfaces or polished finishes also shapes the character of the object, influencing how well it retains its period integrity.
James Shoolbred & Co.
The Antique Storage Chair Glossary
- Monks bench
- A multifunctional seat with a hinged back that folds down to form a table top, featuring a storage compartment beneath the seat.
- Settle
- A wooden bench with high backboards, solid arms, and a box base designed for storing household items away from drafts.
- Boxwood inlay
- A decorative technique where light boxwood is inserted into contrasting darker veneers or timbers to form geometric or floral patterns.
- Dug out chair
- A primitive seating form hewn directly from a single log or heavy trunk, often associated with Scandinavian country traditions.
- Hall seat
- A compact bench designed for an entrance hallway, providing a place to sit while putting on boots alongside internal storage for accessories.
Antique Storage Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a monks bench used for?
A monks bench serves as a dual purpose item providing a seated place for hallways alongside a concealed box for blankets or daily items. The folding back converts the seating unit into a small tabletop when space is limited.
Historically placed near fires or in tight entrance ways, these pieces maximised utility in smaller rooms. Today they function well as focal points in traditional hallways or living spaces.
How do I identify a Victorian settle?
Victorian settles typically feature heavy oak or pine construction with high panelled backs designed to keep out drafts in older homes. The seat lifts upward on simple hinges to reveal a large storage well beneath.
Many examples incorporate rustic painted finishes, particularly from Hungarian or European traditions, while others display dark polished wood with carved details reflecting Gothic Revival tastes.
Are piano stools comfortable?
Piano stools from the Edwardian and Art Deco periods are built primarily for upright posture during musical practice rather than lounging. Upholstered tops provide firm support while seated at an instrument.
The internal compartment is shallow, designed specifically to hold sheet music and small accessories rather than bulky household items. Their compact proportions make them versatile as dressing table seats.
Where should I place a hall bench?
A hall bench fits naturally in an entrance passage or boot room where guests first enter the home. The enclosed storage compartment holds shoes, scarves, and umbrellas out of sight.
Because these pieces often feature high backs or carved panels, they anchor an empty wall effectively. Paired with a simple mirror or coat hooks above, they complete a traditional entryway.