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12 Garden Bench Ideas for Your Backyard

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published August 12, 2024

Both functional and attractive, decorative benches are a great addition to your garden. These patio bench ideas are a good place to start if you’re looking to spruce up the look of your backyard.

Choosing the Right Garden Bench

Before you add a garden bench to your backyard, look at the following aspects:

Material and Style

Your choice of material should complement your existing backyard decor and withstand weather.  

  • Wood: Gives a classic look and blends well with traditional gardens. They come in varieties like acacia wood, eucalyptus and more. 
  • Metal: Aluminum and steel are suitable for contemporary garden spaces.  
  • Plastic: A versatile option available in various colors. It requires minimal upkeep.

Location

Make the most of your garden bench by placing it in the ideal location. Consider the following:  

  • View: The bench should be positioned where it can offer the best view. The view could be the rest of your garden, the sunset or a pond.  
  • Sun and Shade: If you plan to use it most during the day, a location with partial shade from trees or a pergola would be ideal.  
  • Purpose: Align its location with its intended use. Whether for a quiet meditation, watching your children play, birdwatching or as a landscape element.

Outdoor Bench Ideas for Gardens

A garden bench is the perfect place to wind down after a long day at work. It can also be a great addition to entertaining guests in your yard. Explore these 12 garden bench ideas for inspiration.

Classic Garden Bench

Made from recycled plastic and painted in colors like blue or white. These benches fit into any backyard. They’re also weather resistant and will not crack or peel when faced with harsh weather. It looks like real wood but does not have the hassle of sanding, painting or staining.

Modern Loveseat

A loveseat designed in all-weather wicker makes for a perfect patio bench idea. Composed of simple curves and steel frame, this garden bench would look great next to a pool. You can powder coat the steel frame in colors like black and gray to fit the rest of your backyard.

Two Seater Bench with Tabletop

A garden bench made from acacia wood is a great choice for this outdoor bench idea. This twin seat bench has an attached drink table to enjoy the sights of your garden. You can also paint an acacia frame patio bench any color you prefer. Neutral colors like gray, white, or black can blend well with your outdoor space. Make sure to coat it in polyurethane to protect your bench from harsh weather. This will help your bench last longer and maintain its appeal.

Victorian Style Bench

This bench style goes well with any traditional or contemporary home design. Always an eye-catcher, this Victorian bench entails intricate details and elegant curves. Its durability comes from materials like aluminum or steel. Powder coat it in black or white to make it a focal point of your garden. Maintenance is simple as well with a little soap and a pressure washer.

Backless Bench

Backless benches can serve multiple purposes and come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. This makes them a versatile piece of outdoor furniture. Without a back, these benches provide a 360 degree view of the garden. They can be used for seating, as a makeshift table, a  display surface or a plant stand or potting bench. Without a bulky back, they are typically lighter and easier to move around. This mobility allows you to rearrange your space and reposition the bench to suit different activities.

Contemporary Bench and Table

By stacking one bench over another, this design maximizes the use of limited space and serves as an ideal garden bench idea for smaller spaces. This is best suited for compact gardens, patios, or balconies where every square foot counts.

You can use the top bench as a table for drinks and food and the lower one for seating. It can also double as a display area for potted plants and as a countertop for gardening tools and other outdoor accessories.

Multifunctional Folding Bench

Another garden bench idea for small backyards, this folding bench is a compact addition to your space. Initially seen as a two seater bench, it can be converted into an entire seating area with a table. This multipurpose bench can be utilized as a seating or with its table based on the occasion.

Inbuilt Storage Benches

Garden benches don’t only have to be used as seating. This garden bench idea combines functionality with appeal to create an attractive bench with inbuilt storage. Declutter the space and store all your gardening accessories in this bench to utilize its full potential. Just open up its seat to store away all your gardening equipment and outdoor accessories.

Garden Bench with an Arbor

Find a shaded place in your garden and place your garden bench there under an intricate garden arbor. This frames the garden bench beautifully. A steel or wrought iron arbor is sturdy and you can get one that is weather resistant to ensure its durability. With different finishes, designs, and roof styles, arbors can fit in with any home and elevate its look.

DIY Your Garden Bench

You could also make a garden bench that is convenient and easy to assemble. But if you’re feeling especially inspired, you can think about making this a DIY project. You could make unique designs using wagon wheels or make a masterpiece with acrylic paint or mosaic tiles.

With these garden bench ideas, your garden bench could be a great conversation starter with these additions.