Types of Garden Benches (Designs & Buying Guide)
Types of garden benches, framed within their materials, costs, sizes, and design ideas, are as versatile as the landscape they occupy. In this article, we’ll explore what makes a good bench for your garden while touching on contemporary styles and trends.
Benches installed in a garden are a great addition to its beauty, and even function excellently as a resting area. Besides feeling all the nature surrounding you, the benches can also provide additional warmth to your backyard’s ambiance. Your lawn is a place where you can bask in the sun, relax and spend the time however you want.
You can turn your yard into your own personal reading spot or you can think big and transform it into an outdoor living room. One thing you can also consider is to install a hammock and really feel the nature all around you. Your imagination is really the only one that limits you!
With the different designs of garden benches, different materials can be used to make them.
Different Garden Bench Designs:
• Straight
• Curved
• Swing
• Garden Arbor with Bench
• Bench with Trellis
• Bench with Planters
• Rustic
• Modern
• English
• Backless
• Tree
Bench Materials
Garden benches can be made from different materials and it will be up to you what specific type you want to install in your garden. They can serve as a resting area or additional aesthetics.
The most popular ones though are the ones that are the most comfortable and can easily match with other pieces of furniture. This includes those made from wood, cast iron, and flat polyethylene weave.
Get to know the different materials so you can choose to avoid ending up with an uncomfortable one! Make sure to weighs your prose and cons. Here are the possible choices you have.
Stone Benches
A stone patio seating, as its name suggests, is made from waterproof stone. And since the bench is hefty, deciding where to install it is a big decision.
This is due to the fact that it will be difficult to move and relocate once already installed. You can also have the benches customized to the design you want.
In maintaining stone benches, you don’t have to go that far in terms of effort or budget. You only need a non-acidic cleaner using a non-abrasive cloth. And finally, make sure to avoid it having contact with any hot object.
Wooden Bench
When it comes to garden benches, a wooden one is a classic option. The general nature feels is further enforced by installing a wooden bench. Wooden benches blend excellently in a garden and could never look out-of-place amid the landscape.
Wooden types don’t get too cold or hot when exposed outdoors. Some woods are water-resistant and are embedded with natural oils that make them repel water. This helps them last longer and would be a good option for furniture and outdoor installation.
Be reminded though that these wooden benches will not be entirely made from wood, considering screws are needed to keep them together. They are often made from zinc or stainless steel.
Two of the types of wood used for a wooden lawn chair are cedar and teak.
Cedar Benches
A cedar backyard seating is made from natural cedar, which is known to have natural oils in them that help it become fungus and bacteria-free. This also allows them to be capable of resisting decay and rotting.
This makes cedar benches an upcycled, stylish choice for against property fencing that improves the appearance of your outdoor space.
Ideal for humid climates, cedar has its insulation process, supported by little air pockets found in the wood, making it porous. This insulation process is responsible for the wood’s protection against the change in temperature and climate.
As a result, cedar garden benches are protected from temperature changes that can expand or warp the wood. It also makes it ideal for outdoor installation.
Cedar is more expensive than pine, especially considering the fact that it can last for years when maintained and treated properly. If not though, cedar garden benches can turn gray, away from their original color. For more related ideas, read more about cedar decks’ pros and cons here.
Teak Bench
Teak has been used in shipbuilding, particularly in the construction of high-end boats, ships, and yachts, in the middle ages. It later converts to the construction of outdoor furniture in the 1950s.
Teak is another good option for a wooden seat for the backyard. This tropical tree fits the bill for an outdoor bench since it is known to last for at least 50 years (And yes, exposed to elements and all that!). It is also one of the strongest and most durable hardwoods available for furniture.
Teak is extremely expensive because it is slow-growing and difficult to harvest in volume sustainably. What makes it a good option for outdoor furniture like a bench in the yard is due to the following:
Pest-resistant – teak has natural oils that shoo insects like termites away
Weather-resistant – using the same natural oils, teak is also waterproof, which keeps it from becoming brittle and either cracking or warping.
This also makes the wood weather-resistant and the perfect material for outdoor furniture. Teak can give your property‘s fencing a polished touch and create an appealing sitting area for looking out onto your backyard.
Teak is also a low-maintenance wood, which only requires polishing once or twice a year. You don’t even need varnish or paint since the wood will fade to an even and balanced patina color. In order to maintain its reddish-brown color, you can use oil to polish it annually.
And, of course, teak is popular for its beautiful honey brown color. With age, it naturally and elegantly turns into patina gray.
If you want to maintain its honey brown color, finishing it with teak oil annually will do the trick. If you want that natural patina gray color too then just let it be without finish.
Metal Benches
A metal patio perch is also a good option to consider if you are planning to install one in your home. Metal garden chairs are also guaranteed to last for years considering the fact that metal can withstand weather changes and even the different harsh weather conditions.
This is very important, especially since the furniture will be installed outdoors and maintained there at all times. Besides its characteristic of being easily maintained, a metal garden seat can also easily be customized based on the design you want.
This will give you the flexibility you need to style your garden. Two of the most common metals used for lawn benches are cast iron and aluminum.
The arms, back and seat of a metal bench can get hot or cold depending on the weather. This is something to keep in mind before purchasing. On the upside a metal bench is durable can generally has a heavy weight limit.
Cast Iron Benches
A cast iron outdoor chair is known to be highly durable and resistant. The downside though is that it can be quite heavy. This means that you need to be sure where to install it so you won’t need to transfer this heavy garden seat from one location to another just to find the right spot.
If you are into the classic Victorian look and you want to integrate this style into your garden, these iron lawn benches are perfect for you.
They are ornate and attractive, and will definitely add a vintage vibe to your backyard area.
Aluminum Benches
Aluminum is another material you can use for your metal lawn chair. And there are two types of aluminum usually preferred for this outdoor furniture. You can either go for cast aluminum or extruded aluminum and they have their respective pros and cons you can take into account.
Cast Aluminum
• More durable but heavier (Installation must be fixed for less hassle)
• Many elegant and ornate designs to choose from
• Very expensive (especially when compared to extruded aluminum lawn benches)
Extruded Aluminum
Incredibly lightweight (Installation can easily be accomplished and moving it from one place to another is not a problem when considering locations where to put it)
• Not very durable (Won’t last very long)
• Not resistant to harsh weather conditions
• More affordable than cast aluminum benches
Concrete Benches
A concrete outdoor chair is another durable and weather-resistant option you can consider for your home. It requires extremely easy maintenance but can accommodate a wide array of designs and styles.
Yes, they are not just the standard rectangular cement slab that you would automatically imagine when hearing the words concrete bench.
Concrete garden benches can be easily customized in whatever designs you have in mind. They can also be mixed with other materials like recycled plastic slats.
Some of the types of concrete benches seen today are:
• Concrete benches with backs
• Concrete benches with thermoplastic seats and backs
• Concrete benches with treated lumber
• Curved benches
• Concrete benches with recycled plastic planks
• Concrete benches with concrete planks
Concrete garden types are resilient and difficult to relocate. They can be creatively styled and mixed with different colors. This makes them ideal for landscapes.
Plastic Bench
Plastic garden benches are considered the most affordable among all types based on their materials. They are guaranteed to be durable despite being lightweight and maintenance-free.
Plastic benches are waterproof, making them a good option for outdoor installation like in the garden. They are also environmentally friendly and safe to be used with kids around. More than that, they can come in different colors and are perfect for a casual resting place in your garden.
Resin Bench
See this weatherproof resin 3-seat garden bench at Amazon [sponsored link]
A resin lawn seating is an outdoor piece of furniture made from recycled materials, making it entirely environmentally friendly. It is also sturdy and low maintenance, and not prone to splitting nor rotting.
And what makes it ideal for outdoor installation is the fact that it is non-porous, making it moisture-free. This means that the seat can be installed outdoors for a long time without the risk of deterioration from harsh weather conditions.
Resin benches also come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles. There are many attractive options you can choose for your garden.
Polywood Bench
A Polywoodlawn seating is an example of a resin outdoor chair, which in this case consists of HDPE Polywood lumber.
The material and seating altogether are designed to withstand harsh elements that it may encounter in your garden. This particular garden seat can deal with harsh weather conditions.
If you choose a Polywood park seating, expect the following characteristics and try to use them to your advantage:
• Sturdy- strong and durable when used
• Easy to assemble- structured and styled to be free from any warping
• Environmentally friendly- made from recycled materials
• Appealing to look at – comes in rich teak color
• Heavy-duty- can be heavier than wood
To get more ideas on Polywood, read our pros and cons of Polywood furniture guide.
Painted Benches
A painted lawn seating is an excellent addition to give life and vibrancy to your garden. You can make it in a way that it becomes the focus and main attraction of the garden.
You can include a little fish pond or even a shrine, along with the chair, if you want. Really, your imagination is the limit.
You can also just integrate your garden with a simple painted seating for a resting place. This is a place where you can listen to music, read a book, or simply enjoy the air outside.
Benches can be made from different materials. The key here is that as long as there is paint used in the furniture.
More than these different types of benches based on materials, there are also other factors to take into account. Besides sizes and colors, designs also play a part in choosing the most ideal design for your garden.
Different Bench Designs
When considering what seating in the courtyard to get, the overall design and style of your garden play an important role in the choice. The bench you choose should at least match and harmonize with your garden and any theme you have going in that space.
Make sure it is not out-of-place in any way. And to help you with that, here are some of the basic seat designs used today.
Straight Bench
A straight garden bench is a classic style that is most common for wooden, stone, and concrete benches. Basically, it is composed of 2 legs and a slab of whatever material it is made from placed on top of those legs. It can be a slab of stone or a plank of wood.
What makes this style appealing is its rustic vibe. This is one of the earliest designs you can date way back down the road in history.
It is very practical in its function and design. The style though is somehow improved using the two legs with intricate carving and lines.
A straight bench is great for a garden primarily for its practicality and simplicity. It can easily match whatever design you have in your garden and harmonize with it in general.
Curved Bench
Compared to a straight outdoor chaise, a curved backless garden chair provides that intimate feeling that may be lacking from the former. The curvature is meant to bring people sitting on it closer together. So if you want to integrate a bit of intimacy into your garden, you can install this bench.
Curved garden benches come in different styles and forms. Some of these curved garden benches have armrests and a backrest, which also follow that same curve. There are benches though, that come with a curved backrest and straight armrests.
And same with the straight lawn seating, this can either be made from stone or concrete.
Swing Bench
Remember that beautiful secret garden that has a maze with a swing bench at the center of that maze? Would you want one installed in your own garden?
A garden swing bench is a sweet and nostalgic addition to a garden. It is a great place to sit with family and enjoy time together. Made from wood and metal, a sturdy swing bench fits right below a tree if you prefer that kind of vibe too.
This kind of garden bench is a good addition to your garden and it can be picturesque to look at. And to be frank, it can be enjoyable to sit on.
Garden Arbor with Bench
A garden arbor with a bench is a wooden framework with a bench and a platform where it’s installed, which is what an arbor is. The platform serves as an alcove, where there is a wooden roof (made from planks) that can shade the people sitting on the bench. An example of this is a pagoda.
Your own garden arbor can have a different design and you can even customize it with a style you want your garden to have. You can make it as a DIY project or you can have professionals create it for you.
The main point and advantage of a garden arbor with a bench is the solid roof on top of the wooden framework. This is an advantage since it allows you to enjoy the outdoors despite the pouring rain.
The framework can either be solid walls like wooden planks or lattices/trellises. The former provides more privacy while the latter allows you to be more in nature (of course with less privacy though). The sides could also be installed with plants climbing on the wooden framework, giving a rustic feel to it.
Solid walls make it more difficult to train a vine but provide seclusion. Walls made up of trellises or lattices let you feel closer to nature but offer less privacy.
Bench with Trellis
If you don’t want an arbor, you can stick with a trellis. A trellis is a framework, metal or wooden, that can serve as a support for plants to climb and crawl to.
Some of the best materials you can use for a sturdy trellis you can choose from are the following:
• Monofilament (Fishing wire)
• Plastics or Strong Synthetics
• Wood
• Wrought Iron
Trellis is composed of vertical sturdy poles and horizontal flat cross pieces. It is from this design that plants can be trained to go up against it. You can use young trees, vines, or shrubs to match your trellis too.
When you use a trellis, you add privacy to your garden bench. It depends on how thick the plant on the trellis is to tell how much privacy it provides.
You can do the design of the trellis itself or you can have professionals create one for you. If you do it yourself, make sure that it can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Bench with Planters
Garden benches with planters easily fits the bill for outdoor furniture ideal for your garden. The planters are right at home in the garden in the first place. And what you need to work on though is to make sure that it is sturdy enough.
Commonly made from wood, you have the flexibility to choose what kind. Besides that, you can also choose what specific plant to put in the planters. You can go for the flowery approach and a simple shrub.
The good thing about a garden with planters is that the bench part can seem like just a part of the design together with the planter.
And finally, this bench is a bit easy to make so you can do it yourself. You can make this a fun project!
Rustic Bench
A rustic garden bench usually comes in the form of a wooden bench. Most people will imagine a rustic driftwood bench because of its crude and rough construction.
Despite being rugged, there is some sort of charm to it, which is why a lot of people choose this type of bench for their own gardens.
If you choose a rustic garden bench, make sure to match it with the theme you have going for your garden.
If your garden pathways and even the pots and planters in your garden look smooth and elegant, a rugged-looking one might not be a good idea.
Modern Bench
Compared to the rustic garden benches, the modern lawn seating is more flexible when it comes to style and design elements. From the materials they are made from to their sizes and style, modern garden benches are widely varied.
Modern designs prioritize functionality and uniqueness. In terms of functionality, a modern backyard seat usually has more than 1 function. A good example is benches that split into a small table and two chairs.
In terms of uniqueness, this also comes in several elements. It can be unique through the design of its structure, color, and even size. One example of uniqueness is a modern garden bench that has an inverted triangle for its legs.
English Bench
An English garden bench is a classic-looking seating commonly made from wood. An authentic one is made from teak and styled for optimum functionality. It has four legs, like a standard chair with two armrests.
Its backrest is striped but its top part can sometimes be straight or have curves with its own design. The color can vary from white to a light olive green color.
While it shows a certain charm, an English garden bench emphasizes functionality. This is evident with how sturdy the bench is constructed and designed in the first place.
Backless Bench
A backless garden bench is as simple as how it is named. It is designed not to have a backrest but it can sometimes have armrests. It can have a dual purpose since you can use it for the following purposes because of how it’s designed:
• A bench for sitting (which is what it is in the first place)
• A shelf you can put planters on
• A table where you can place food on when you’re chilling in the garden
The fun part is in the flexibility of the backless garden bench. It can also be made from teak or Polywood, depending on what you prefer.
Tree Bench
If you want more fun and into-nature style, a tree garden bench is an excellent choice. You can enjoy some time under a tree, read a book, and drink a cup of coffee by sitting on a tree garden bench.
This garden bench usually surrounds the trunk of the tree that it will be attached to. The tree will also serve as the roof of the bench.
The downside of a tree garden seat is that you need a good tree to install the bench. Once you install the bench to it, it will be difficult to uninstall it and transfer it to a new location. It doesn’t take away the fun and relaxation you get from staying under the shade of the tree.
Storage Benches
A storage garden bench is a piece of multi-function outdoor furniture that works in two ways- a bench and storage. This is a good idea for those who love gardening.
If you want to take a rest from a day’s work of gardening, this is the ideal bench to sit on because not only do you have a place to sit on, you also get a storage space for your gardening tools.
And like any other garden benches, there are different designs you can choose from. The main point of a storage garden bench is to offer a resting place and storage space at the same time. And whether it comes with a backrest and armrest is up to you.
Bench Table
A backyard seating with table houses a modern and innovative design like no other. The bench itself and the backrest are separated that the bench can work as a standalone table.
Most garden bench tables are made from wood and metal with a right square angle for their legs.
If you want something popping in your garden, the design of this backyard table is a great addition. See picnic table sizes here.
Corner Bench
If you have a big garden and have extra space lying around, you can consider a corner nook seating. A corner garden comes with two backless benches connected to form a right angle or a corner.
This can be a good private space you can enjoy with your family and friends. You can even install a center table for food and drinks if you want to.
With this variety of options to choose from, you can definitely find the ideal bench that goes along with your garden.
Bench Sizes
When talking about the right nook seating size, is there really a general measure to it? Straight answer, no and garden benches vary in size and several factors can affect how the length or seat height of the garden benches.
Determining the right size centers on your comfort. How high would it have to be so that you will be comfortable sitting on it?
How wide do you want the plank you’re sitting on to be? Getting the dimensions right will help you be more comfortable and get the best out of the value of your nook seating.
Before checking out the height, width, and depth you can consider for your bench, let’s discuss its backrest and armrests first.
• Backrest– this is not a requirement for a backyard perch and some may not even have a backrest. If chosen though, make sure it extends at least 16 inches starting from the top of the seat. (You can also add a gentle 5 degrees slope for additional comfort)
• Armrests– same with backrest, armrests are not required in a nook seating but it can help add comfort for you, especially when standing up. While everything is up to your preference, it is recommended to be 8 inches starting from the top of the seat and 4 to 5 inches in width.
What Is the Height of a Bench?
The standard height (despite not really having a requirement for it nor a general size) for a bench, whether it is indoor or outdoor furniture, is between 18 and 20 inches (without backrest) and between 30 and 36 inches (with backrest).
According to the American with Disabilities Act though, the maximum functionality of a bench can be reached if the seat height is between 17 to 19 inches. This height can accommodate comfortably even people with limited mobility.
This will of course change if you are making a bench for your kids or someone specifically tall. The decision for the preference for the bench’s height at the end of the day is yours.
How Deep Should a Bench Be?
In deciding how deep a patio seating should be, you should consider who will be constantly using it in the first place.
If you want a standard measurement that most benches have, the depth should be between 15 and 20 inches (others say to try as close to 16 inches as possible for the most comfortable depth). Again, this is only if the bench is made for adults and not for kids.
How Thick Should a Bench Seat Be?
When talking about the width you can follow for your nook seating, here are some measurements you can follow based on the number of people it can accommodate:
- 2-seat bench- between 42 and 52 inches in width
- 3-seat bench- between 53 and 80 inches in width
- 4-seat bench- between 81 and 96 inches in width
The width plays an important role in the comfort you get when sitting on it. If you force 4 people to sit on it with measurements fitting a 2-seat, that won’t be comfortable for anyone.
Bear in mind, though that you are not being restricted to how wide you want your lawn seating to be. Your imagination is your friend and you can do whatever you want to fill the areas you need seating.
What Makes a Good Bench?
With all the different types of garden benches to choose from, as well as the different sizes they come in, how can you tell if one is a good backyard perch? Something you can sit on that’s on your garden or outdoor patio does not automatically qualify it as a good nook seating.
A bench within a garden is like a garden within the world: a place that can satisfy our need for relaxation, for refuge, for introspection and intimacy, and for reckoning with nature. – The Inward Garden: Creating a Place of Beauty and Meaning, Julie Moir Messervy
There are different elements you can consider if we’re really discussing this meticulously. Some of those elements you can take into account are the following.
Bench Construction
There are a variety of seat garden types based on the materials they are made from. Determine what you are comfortable using and match the vibe it offers to the one you have going in your garden. In general, here are the varieties you have:
• Timber/Wood
- Teak
- Natural Wood Species
- Natural Cedar or Pine
- Australian Jarrah
• Metal
- Ornate Iron
- Retro Metal
- Aluminum (Cast or Extruded)
• Plastic
• Resin
• Wicker
And these are only a few of the options you can check out. Don’t be limited by this selection and research as much as you want.
• Concrete
•A DIY concreteperch with concrete garden table can look beautiful in the backyard.
Bench Style
From the classic back porch style to the fun and quirky tree park seat, decide on the design you want to have for your benches. Do you want a minimalistic wooden perch or traditional English seating in the yard?
There are many styles to choose from so this could either be a stressful or fun and challenging task for you, depending on how you see it. Choose one that can accentuate the vibe you have in your garden.
Space Needed
Another consideration you can have before you say that a nook seating is a good one is the space that it’s supposed to fill. If you have a gigantic garden and chose a small good seating in the garden, will it be a good choice?
The same goes for a small garden, choosing large benches to install. Make sure that the one you choose is not too big that it won’t fit in your garden or too small that it may seem an insignificant addition.
Besides considering the size of your garden, consider who will be sitting on it too. If you have a large family with a large enough garden, don’t choose a small backless one that can’t accommodate half of your family members.
Maybe you can go for a corner seating in the garden, which is also conducive for conversation and bonding.
Installation Location
The location where you will install good seating in the yard also plays an important role in figuring out if these are good benches or not. The best place for nook seating is somewhere that can accentuate your garden and somehow add aesthetic value to it as well.
If you have pathways in your garden, install it beside the pathways so that when you get tired of walking, there is somewhere you can rest. Besides that, a good location for good seating is below a tree.
You don’t even need to install seating under a tree to enjoy and make the most of the tree’s shade. You can install a curved nook seating below a tree you have in your garden.
The choice for nook seating ideas often depends on factors like the person‘s preferred style and the available locations for the benches.
The placement could be directly on the ground, on an outdoor rug, alongside a garden path or in a tucked-away corner. Considering how these benches will be used during entertaining or at a garden party may also be helpful.
Privacy choices may also play a role in its position. Consider the areas in the backyard where you can sit in privacy. This may be placing it against a fence or other structures.
When it comes to the location where you can install your benches, make sure that they emphasize a view and look out toward your garden. You can either disguise it as part of your garden or somehow make it your garden’s focal point.
Manufacturers
The innovators and manufacturers of the good seating in the courtyard may matter if you are not the one constructing it yourself. Just stick with makes that have a good reputation and reviews from previous clients.
Some of the top brands creating garden benches are Campania International, Plow and Hearth, Trent Austin, Richland, Oxford Garden and Belleze.
Bench Cost
When considering the cost of the patio perch, you should first consider the budget you have and you are willing to let go. Prices range and while DIY benches are guaranteed cheaper, they can be time-consuming and you might now know what you’re doing too.
The standard cost ranges from as low as $150 to $950 depending on the types of materials and quality of construction.
If it’s manufactured by experts and professionals, don’t just go immediately for the cheapest one. Assess the seat, its materials, style, and durability, as well as if the cost is worth it in the get-go. Choose something that can withstand harsh weather conditions!
Multi-functional
See this Keter Solana 70 Gallon Storage Bench Deck at Amazon [sponsored link]
When choosing a good seating in the garden, you might also want to consider a multi-functional one. And while this is not really a strict condition in determining if a courtyard seat is a good one, it is a good addition to it.
You may want to consider a garden storage seating or a table garden bench. The former has storage space for your garden tools while the latter also works as a table. Before installing it, it might be useful to ask yourself some questions about placement and how easily it can be accessed from different sides.
Cohesive Design
And finally, you can say you got a good seating in the lawn if it matches the cohesive look of your garden. Don’t choose outdoor seating that looks out of place. Whether it is in material or color, try to match the style and design of your garden, fence, gates, structures and other landscaping details.
Did we miss any types of outdoor benches or do you have experience using any of these products? Share your comments below. For more related content, visit our article on different outdoor bench ideas.
