Nelson Platform Bench
The Nelson Platform Bench is one of George Nelson's most popular and well-respected pieces. In fact, it was part of Nelson's first collection with Herman Miller. This bench was introduced in the brand's 1948 catalog and reintroduced in 1994. The designer was known for his honesty in creation, making pieces that are practical and direct about an object's purpose. With solid wood slats, a clear-coat finish and a versatile height, the Nelson Platform Bench can serve as a bench, a low table, or a foundation for one of Nelson's other designs, like the Basic Cabinet Series. The Nelson Platform Bench comes with many high-quality features including:
- Polished and durable chrome legs.
- Built for superior strength.
An Official Herman Miller Retailer
Office Designs was one of the first companies to sell Herman Miller products and is now the brand's largest retailer. All of our products come directly from the Herman Miller factory, which means they've been made to fit the brand's high standards.
Warranty Information
The Nelson Platform Bench comes with an official 1-year, three-shift manufacturer's warranty.
For more information, read Herman Miller's full warranty (PDF).
Nelson Platform Bench Features
The Nelson Platform Bench has many features, including:
Expanded Style and Size Options
This bench comes in three different lengths: 48, 60 and 72 inches. You can choose between a natural maple or walnut finish to fit your room's desired aesthetic.
Versatility
Although its name includes the word "bench," this piece of furniture has been used as a low table for decades. In fact, in Herman Miller's 1955 catalog, it stated that this bench "has proved to be one of the most flexible and useful units in the collection." The Nelson Platform Bench is perfect for any environment, personal, professional or otherwise.
About Herman Miller
Herman Miller has been one of the leading furniture designers in the world since 1923. The brand has worked with many renowned designers, including Charles and Ray Eames, Jerome Caruso and George Nelson. As one of the most practical designers, Nelson was a perfect fit for Herman Miller brand, a company with a mission to sell high-quality, innovative furniture that can transform the modern day office.
Dimensions & Measurements
H: 14"W: 48"
D: 18.5"
Packaging Dimensions:
53" x 22" x 6"
Package Weight:
34.5 lbs.
Assembly Required:
Yes
Modularity and multipurpose design
George Nelson was a noted teacher and writer, as well as a designer. He studied architecture in Rome and became an influential editor of Architectural Forum while continuing to design furniture that was based on the modern European designs with which he had become familiar.Nelson becomes our director of design
In 1944, Nelson introduced the idea of Storagewall, the first modular storage system. It was widely derided by the furniture industry, but our founder, D.J. De Pree, was impressed and intrigued after reading an article about Nelson's Storagewall in Life magazine. D.J. went to New York to meet Nelson in person and convince him to become Herman Miller's director of design. Nelson was equally impressed and intrigued with D.J., and Nelson agreed to the new job.
It was meant to discourage long sitting
Nelson continued to maintain his independent design studio while helping move Herman Miller toward contemporary furniture that fit modern post-war lifestyles and homes. He created the first version of the platform bench for his own New York office. The idea behind the design was that sitting on a slatted bench would discourage visitors from staying too long. It was one of the few George Nelson design concepts that failed. Visitors found the bench comfortable, and it drove no one away. In 1946, the bench became part of Nelson's first collection for Herman Miller.
Care & Maintenance
With regular care and maintenance, your Herman Miller product will provide many years of superior performance and satisfaction. To maintain quality, please follow the cleaning procedures outlined here.The instructions for the care and maintenance of Herman Miller products are provided to you as a service. No warranty is implied since results may vary.
Wood & Veneer
This includes Herman Miller products finished with wood veneer or recut wood veneer, except the oiled Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman with Rosewood, Oiled Walnut, or Oiled Santos Palisander veneer unless specifically noted.
Normal Cleaning
Dust regularly with a slightly damp, soft, lint-free cloth. Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the directionof the wood grain.Spills should be immediately wiped up with a damp cloth.
Once a month
Clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated for wood furniture. Wipe the surface in the direction of the wood grain to remove dirt and fingerprints. Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth.
Twice a year
Apply a good quality furniture polish with a soft cloth. Do not use aerosol-powered cleaners or polishes. Also, do not use polishes containing waxes or abrasives, or polishes that are oil based.
Stains
Herman Miller veneers meet strict testing standards for resistance to wear, light, stains, water, and pressure. To reduce the risk of damage, take some precautions: Use coasters for glasses and mugs. If a glass top is added to the veneer surface, be sure it rests on felt pads. Don’t place a potted plant on a veneer surface unless it’s in a water-tight container or in a drip tray.Don’t let vinyl binders stay on a surface for very long. Use protective pads under equipment with “rubber” cushioning feet. Some chemical compounds used in the feet on office equipment, such as printers and monitor stands, may leave permanent stains or marks.
Minor repair of water rings, stains, and scratches
Rub the surface lightly in the direction of the wood grain using No. 000 steel wool. Apply a scratch-removing polish with a color and value that simulate the veneer. If the scratches are deep, consult a professional furniture refinisher.
Other Damage
Wood is susceptible to bruising and scratching from heavy office equipment, so we encourage a protective surface is placed underneath. Objects should be lifted instead of dragged across a surface. Protective pads should be used under items with a rough bottom, like pottery. Denting, caused by extreme pen pressure when writing, can also damage veneer. Use desk pads or some other protection where a lot of paperwork is done. Sunlight can damage veneer as well, so veneer surfaces should not be in direct sunlight. To help a surface age evenly, users can periodically move items on their desks so that the entire surface is exposed to an even amount of light over time. In addition to light, extremely high or low humidity is a damaging environmental factor. Herman Miller suggests maintaining a relative humidity of 35-65 percent.
