Why I Spent Hours Restoring a Vintage Bench… and Then Found This

When we started designing our entryway, I had one vision in mind: a warm, minimalist space that felt grounded, modern, and a little rustic—what I call modern mountain style. And at the heart of it, I wanted a statement bench with slatted walnut wood.

After scrolling through online stores and not quite finding “the one,” I lucked out at a vintage resale shop with a 72" mid-century slat bench for just $150. It had good bones, but it needed a lot of love.

I spent hours—maybe too many—sanding down the original walnut finish. Some boards were loose and needed to be re-glued and clamped. I carefully refinished the entire piece with multiple coats of Tru-Oil (which, by the way, brings out a gorgeous depth in walnut wood). The final result? Beautiful. Custom. One of a kind.

But just as I stood back to admire my hours of work, I stumbled on the Plank+Beam Entryway Bench on Amazon—and my jaw dropped.

It looked so similar to my bench. Same sleek walnut finish, same mid-century vibe, and a fraction of the effort. At 56.25", it fits perfectly in most entryways, and it’s designed with clean lines and a sturdy build. If I’d seen this earlier, I would’ve saved days of sanding and refinishing (not to mention all the mess).

Don’t get me wrong—there’s something satisfying about a vintage restore. But if you're after the modern mountain look and want to skip the power tools, the Plank+Beam bench is an incredibly easy win.

This space came together with just a few thoughtful pieces, and now it welcomes you with warmth, texture, and that mountain-view magic. Whether you’re a DIY warrior or prefer quick clicks, there’s a path to your perfect entryway.