What do the word outdoor benches bring to mind for you? Is it a bench along side the path in a park? or something else?
For me an outdoor bench brings back memories of an old garden where my great grandparents used to sit in the shade holding hands. They were very old and I very young and I thought it was the most romantic thing I had ever seen. And so for me a garden bench is a romantic item, one where two people can sit together and talk, but the look of the bench must also be romantic.
Let’s talk about romantic outdoor benches!
I find some of these benches rather romantic but they also have an old fashion look to them. These benches are reminiscent of a time gone by and can make a drab spot in your garden or backyard an attractive resting place where calm can reign and birds can be heard. Romantic as they may be these garden benches are not to everyone taste. If you prefer a more contemporary atmosphere to your yard do not dismiss benches as they have evolved an become beautifully designed addition for your outdoor living.
Dive right into modern times with an outdoor living set that can include a comfortable outdoor bench. This modern looking set is made of composite materials that resist wear and is rather impervious to weather. If you thought that garden benches were not a most comfortable seating choice I think this set can dispel the idea.
Sometimes you want to make an area of the garden stand out in a bold, vibrant way, comfort or charm might not be the way to bring out an otherwise ordinary area. Then you can select something like this bench
This kind of armless bench made of solid stone, in this case basalt, will add a striking note to your garden path, more than a bench a piece like this qualifies as a sculpture and will definitely be a conversation starter, if nothing else people will want to know how much it weights. Basalt is not the only stone that can produce this kind of results. Natural stone is beautiful but also expensive. You can also find good looking benches that have the look of stone but are made of concrete. These are known as outdoor cast stone benches. They are not inexpensive but more affordable than some natural stones like granite, basalt or marble.
Because most people do not bring their benches indoors during the winter, harsh weather resistance is a good quality for a bench. Stone outdoor benches are totally weather proof and will not require anything for maintenance than an occasional wash with mild soap and water. Wood outdoor benches will weather well if you use a good quality wood, like teak. Teak is a very hard wood that is resistant to both weather and insects and if it expensive to purchase, it lasts many years and over the life of the bench will probably be less expensive to own than many other woods that will require more frequent replacement.
Wood outdoor benches are not as heavy as stone outdoor benches and it is easy to see that once you place the monolithic stone bench somewhere nobody is going to say to you: “honey can you move it a couple of feet to the left”. So if you intend to move your benches around once in a while or if you need to use a bench in different areas a teak or cedar bench might be more suitable for you. Teak is the most expensive and one of the best, there other exotic woods like eucalyptus or iroko wood that offer tremendous quality for outdoor furniture. You can of course also select domestic woods for a less expensive wood. Regardless of the wood you choose styles will be as varied as they are for stone. You will be able to find benches with rest arms and some armless outdoor benches. Comfort will also vary, some will have cushions, others will not.
One great addition to the outdoor wood bench that is not possible with stone is the possibility of a rocking outdoor bench. These are pretty popular and add another touch to your outdoor living experience. They come in two traditional rocking styles one is on a gliding mechanism, the other is simply a standard curve on the legs traverse. Either model offer a relaxing leisurely atmosphere, and fit on the deck or in the yard.
A bench can also fit around a tree, you are guaranteed to always find a shady spot with around the tree outdoor benches. They can be found with or without a backrest.
For a very large yard where some areas are left more on the natural side you could use a very down to earth rustic style like this chestnut wood bench.
But if your yard is very large and can accommodate a large piece of furniture you might consider something like this Kima bench from designer Lars Seeger, a harmonious sculpture like outdoor bench, where you can sit out or stretch in the sun, or hide under the top for some shade. It can also serve as a play structure for children.
Lastly if you have a small yard and storage is a consideration then a storage bench might be the solution. Outdoor storage
benches are very practical in that they serve a dual purpose, that of storage for small tools and other yard or outdoor accessories, and that of seating. Like other benches they can be placed anywhere that is convenient and come is several styles and materials.