The piano bench industry started in the early 1900s when bench companies were contracted by piano manufacturers to make piano benches of various styles to be used with their new pianos. A piano bench is designed to match the leg style and finish of the piano it is being made for. Listed below are factors that you need to consider when purchasing a new piano bench for your piano.

•   Leg Style – When you don’t consider the leg style of a piano bench, you will end up with a bench whose leg style doesn’t match that of your piano. This generally happens when you are purchasing a replacement piano bench. Benches are sold in a variety of leg styles such as: spade legs, classic straight legs or antique legs like the Louis XIV.

•   Bench Width and Length – You can choose your piano bench from the three available types of benches.

•   The Duet Bench – which is also known as the stationary grand piano bench, measures 19 inches high and 35 inches wide. Two persons can easily fit on this piano bench, as it was made with the length of the piano in mind.

•   The Traditional Standard Upright Bench – this piano bench was created for the upright piano and measures 19 inches high and 30 inches wide.

•   The Keyboard bench – this is the ideal piano bench for spinets and digital keyboards and it measures 25 inches wide.

•   Wood Finishes – When creating a piano bench, the bench manufacturers try to make an exact match to wood finishes that they were provided with by the piano manufacturer. Once you have reviewed all your choices, it is very easy to match the wood finish on your piano bench to that of the one on your piano. You should also be aware of the fact that wood finishes are available in high gloss. Though these are more expensive, if your piano has a high gloss finish you should purchase a piano bench that has a high gloss finish.

•   Piano Bench Tops – The hardwood bench top is the most popular type of piano bench top. Most models come equipped with a storage compartment where you can store your music sheet and other accessories relating to music. To add comfort and style, piano bench tops are now being made with leather or upholstered fabric; however, these are more expensive. If you are concerned about the cost, then vinyl is a great alternative for the leather top piano benches.