We Need to Talk About This: Hay Bale Dining Benches

Cambria Bold
Cambria Bold
Cambria Bold is the Executive Editor of Cubby, and one of Apartment Therapy Media’s first full-time editors from way back when. She was The Kitchn's founding Design and Lifestyle Editor as well as Managing Editor of Re-Nest, Apartment Therapy’s late '00s green living site. She now thinks a lot about design, kids, and designy kids' things. She lives with her two daughters and their father in St. Paul, MN.
updated May 1, 2019
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Here’s a question: how do you feel about hay bales used as dining room seating? I spotted them in this Oakland House Tour on Apartment Therapy, and their merits (or demerits) have sparked lively conversation on the comment boards over there. So, let’s discuss.

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First of all, I have to give the owner props for coming up with such an unusual (and probably very affordable) seating arrangement. Hay bale benches are not something you see every day, at least not inside a home. They also seem very suited to her home style, in a weird way! Here’s what she says about them:

I would probably have to say that my favorite element is the hay bale benches at the dining table. They bring a casual and unexpected vibe to the space. They’re great for dinner parties. People say they feel like they’re at a barn party… in West Oakland.

I do appreciate that they make such a strong statement, and have immediate associations for people (barn parties, etc), which is one way to welcome guests and make them feel comfortable.

The downside? I’d worry about dust and allergies and just general hay bale shedding, you know? That would bug me after a while.

However, couldn’t you see these a one-off solution to the problem of having enough seating for a big Thanksgiving dinner?

What do you think? Would you ever use a hay bale as a dining table bench?

See the Full Tour → Erin’s Layered Bohemian Oakland Loft at Apartment Therapy

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Dining Room