Before the upholstered booth, there was the settle: a long oak bench with a tall panelled back and solid side boards that kept out draughts. Many of the best-loved pub interiors are still built around them, because a settle does what fixed seating should. It defines a snug, it takes decades of hard use, and it looks better for the wear.
Our settles and benches keep that timber-first character. Where most upholstered seating hides the frame, these show it: solid ends, panelled or boarded backs, and upholstery used only where you sit and lean.
Settle, bench or booth?
| Type | Typical back height | Upholstery | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-back settle | 1,350–1,500 mm | Seat and back pad only | Snugs, fireside, old-pub interiors |
| Low-back bench | 800–950 mm | Seat cushion, optional back | Bar areas, window lines |
| Backless bench | Seat only, 450–460 mm | Seat pad or loose cushions | Under windows, long tables |
| Upholstered booth | 1,000–1,200 mm | Fully upholstered | Restaurant and dining rooms |
Timber and finish
We build in solid timber or timber with veneered panels, finished in stains from light oak to dark, aged tones. Finishes are chosen to take spilled drinks and daily cleaning. If you are matching existing panelling or a bar front, send a photograph and a sample piece and we will match the colour as closely as possible.
Settles and benches can be fixed to walls and floors like any other fixed seating, or left freestanding where your layout needs to change.