There’s something about a live edge bench that a standard piece of furniture simply cannot replicate. The natural curve of the wood, the preserved bark detail, the grain that tells the story of the tree it came from — these are details that take decades to grow and minutes to fall in love with.
At Riverside Workshop, live edge benches are one of our most requested builds. Whether it’s a matching bench for a dining table, a standalone entryway piece, or a custom outdoor-ready design, every bench we make is built from scratch to the exact specifications of the client. Here’s what you need to know before placing your order.
What Is a Live Edge Bench?
A live edge bench is made from a solid wood slab that retains the natural outer edge of the tree — the organic, uncut profile that includes the bark line, natural curves, and any unique features like knots, cracks, or spalting that formed over the life of the tree.
Unlike a bench made from dimensioned lumber with clean, straight edges on all sides, a live edge bench is inherently one of a kind. No two slabs share the same edge profile, grain pattern, or figure — which means no two benches are ever identical. The piece you receive is the only one in the world.
Choosing Your Wood Species
The wood species you choose sets the tone for the entire piece. At Riverside Workshop we work with several species, each bringing its own character to the finished bench.
A popular choice is a black walnut live edge bench, Its rich, dark chocolate tones and dramatic grain movement make it the most visually striking option and one that pairs beautifully with both modern and rustic interiors. Black walnut also matches our most popular dining tables, making it the natural first choice for clients ordering a matching bench set.
Ambrosia maple is an excellent option for clients who prefer a lighter palette. Its creamy base tone with natural blue-grey mineral streaking creates a soft, airy look that works particularly well in Scandinavian, boho, and coastal-inspired interiors.
White oak offers a clean, consistent grain with a neutral tone that sits comfortably between walnut and maple. It’s a versatile choice that works well with nearly any interior palette and is particularly popular for entryway and hallway builds.
Other species are available on request — reach out to discuss what’s currently in our slab inventory.
Matching Your Dining Table
One of the most common reasons clients order a custom live edge bench is to pair it with an existing dining table — either one they purchased from us or a piece they already own. If you’re ordering a matching set, we do a careful slab selection process to ensure the bench complements the table in grain colour, figure, and character, even when the two pieces are made from different slabs.
If you’re ordering both a dining table and a bench at the same time, we’ll source slabs from the same tree where possible — the closest you can get to a perfectly matched set in natural wood.
Epoxy River Benches
Live edge benches don’t have to be plain wood. An epoxy river bench — where a channel of coloured epoxy resin flows between two wood slabs along the length of the seat — is one of the most dramatic and distinctive bench designs we offer.
Epoxy colour options include deep ocean blue, bold turquoise, moody black, smoky white, and custom colours with mica powder added for a metallic shimmer effect. The epoxy river can be narrow and subtle or wide and dramatic depending on your preference. A clear top epoxy layer can also be added, encasing the entire surface in a smooth, glass-like finish that protects the wood and adds visual depth to the pour.
Leg Styles & Heights
Every bench we build is mounted on custom steel legs fabricated to your preferred height. Standard dining bench height is 18 inches, but we also build entryway benches, outdoor benches, and accent benches at varying heights depending on the application. Leg styles include hairpin, U-shape, straight flat bar, and custom fabricated options in matte black, brushed steel, or powder-coated finishes.
Custom Sizing
Most live edge benches we build range from 4 feet to 8 feet in length, with seat depth typically between 14 and 18 inches. That said, everything we build is custom — if you need a specific length, a specific depth, or a non-standard shape, we’ll build it to those dimensions. There is no standard here.
Shipped Across North America
Every bench we build at Riverside Workshop is handcrafted in Ontario, Canada and shipped carefully packaged across Canada and the United States. Shipping costs are calculated per order based on dimensions and destination — contact us for a shipping estimate to your address.
Ready to Start Your Build?
The process starts with a conversation. Tell us the length, the wood species you’re drawn to, whether you’d like an epoxy river, and any inspiration images you’ve collected. We’ll take it from there — slab selection, epoxy design, leg style, and finish — and keep you updated every step of the way.
Contact Riverside Workshop to get a free quote on your custom live edge bench today.
