What is a monks bench used for?

A monks bench serves as a dual-purpose piece of furniture that functions as a hall seat with hidden storage and converts into a table by flipping the backrest forward. Historically, this clever space-saving design allowed households to maximise small hallway areas for both resting and occasional writing or dining.

How do I tell an 18th century settle apart?

Eighteenth century settles typically feature pegged panel construction, heavier timber boards, and simpler, hand-carved or plain fielded panels reflecting country craftsmanship. Later Victorian and Edwardian revival pieces often display machine-assisted finishing, crisper decorative carving, and shinier wax treatments applied during production.

Can these seats fit in modern hallways?

Many smaller box settles, hall benches, and narrow hall seats suit contemporary entranceways by providing a compact footprint with hidden boot storage. Measuring the clearance for lift-up lids or fold-over table tops ensures the furniture functions smoothly in restricted corridors.

What is a bacon settle?

A bacon settle is a tall nineteenth-century wooden storage bench traditionally fitted with interior racks or hooks beneath the seat or within the back for curing meats. These substantial pieces represent specialised rural joinery where furniture doubled as a domestic larder in country houses.