Welcome to our gallery of wonderful backyard bench ideas!
When you consider adding seating to your backyard, you likely think about a number of furniture options. There are plenty out there and many are great for a multitude of purposes. You are likely to find patio furniture that will suit your needs perfectly, but there are other options to consider.
One option that provides a good amount of outdoor seating is a bench. There are many stylish bench options, and plenty of ways to customize benches to fit your landscape and design.
Benches are often found in parks; they serve as a place to relax outdoors and enjoy the surroundings. Benches are often durable pieces of furniture that are built to last. They are also designed to hold at least two people comfortably.
There are many benches on the market. Depending on material and quality, you can find backyard benches ranging from as low as $90 to as much as $1200. You don’t necessarily have to buy a bench, however. There are many designs for DIY benches as well as ideas for benches made from found and refurbished materials.
If you find a used bench you can also opt to refurbish it and give it a fresh coat of paint. This can give an old bench a new life, and you may have more design options when building or refurbishing than when selecting something off of the shelf.
Find more backyard ideas in our definitive guide to backyards!
Related: Types of garden benches | Luxurious Tennis Court Ideas | Garden bench ideas
In this picture there is a bench on the far end of a shrub garden. This is a classic bench that is attractive to anyone looking to sit out in the garden and enjoy nature.
Here is a wooden bench sitting among the plants in a garden. This wooden bench melds perfectly with its surroundings. Its colors and simple lines make this bench feel like a natural part of this landscape.
One of the most durable materials is stone. When you have a piece of furniture that stays outside, durability can be important. A stone bench also matches perfectly with masonry and other stone structures. Source: Zillow Digs™
Most benches can hold two to three people. This does not mean that a bench must be limited to that length. If you can fit a larger bench, go for it! This bench is long and curved and can easily fit a whole group of people.
As with indoors, accent furniture outside can spice up your space and make your area pop. A bench is a great place to have an accent piece. A simple bench of a different color or style is perfect to bring some contrast to your design.
Benches can be very simple. All a bench really needs is an elevated, level surface that is suitable to sit on. Here are two very simple benches overlooking a lovely waterfall. This spot is the perfect place to get back to nature. Source: Zillow Digs™
A bench can be your getaway from the world. Placing your personal bench out in your garden or by your pond is a perfect retreat. Build your own little getaway spot and use a bench as your place to sit and reflect.
Here is a simple metal bench that is painted white. It doesn’t blend with the surroundings, but instead brings a lightness to the area. The contrast against the greenery works in this garden.
In a high end garden with detailed and involved landscaping you may need a bench that matches. There are benches that blend a high end appeal with a natural wooden appearance. Source: Zillow Digs™
The great thing about wooden benches is that they can be painted to match any style. Wood holds finish and paint better than any other material. This makes it perfect for a customizable bench.
If you want your furniture to match, there are benches that come with additional matching seating. Benches don’t have to stand alone nor do they have to be an accent piece. Learn more here.
Here is a nice dark wooden bench with a high back. This is the perfect spot to sit and relax, take in the garden, and perhaps read the paper or have a cup of coffee.
A curved bench is a great idea to put around a fire pit. With a bench like this everyone on the bench can face the fire together and still all sit together. While this bench is stone, a simple cushion and some pillows makes it far more welcoming and comfortable. Source: Zillow Digs™
Some benches have intricate and detailed design elements. This bench has a detailed leaf and flower pattern that is an amazing compliment to a lush garden. This bench was made to be placed in a vibrant garden.
Here is a bright and vibrant bench for a light and breezy area. Experiment with color and design. This bench is not afraid to stand out, not only in this space, but amongst other benches as well.
Here are two very diffrent benches in this space.One bench is a wooden and rustic bench that brings some old fashioned charm. The other is an ultra modern, super sleek and minimalistic bench. These contrasting benches still work in the same area. Shop the Look
You can incorporate benches into other aspects of your yard. This lattice archway is a perfect place to put a bench. It makes this area feel a bit more enclosed and secluded.
This bench is painted with some art that makes it personal and customized to this area. If your bench is the primary seating in a garden or secluded area you can take steps like this to make the bench a central focus. It becomes unique and special to that area.
Some crafted benches can be considered art themselves. Detailed carvings in the wood, as well as finely crafted features, can accentuate your bench and make it stand out as a quality piece of furniture.
What better place to sit and think than your own backyard? What better place to sit than a bench? The bench in this Western themed yard matches the yard and the colors of the area surrounding it. Shop the Look
Gardens can have a wide range of vibrant colors that really draw the eye. Why not have benches with the same level of bright and engaging colors? Experiment with patterns and color palettes that you enjoy.
Benches can also be elegant and simple. Here is an example of a simple metal bench with a touch of design flair. This is the type of bench that would fit well at home, in any yard or park. Learn more here.
This bench is made from three pieces of wood. The raw nature of the wooden slats gives this bench a wonderful rustic and natural appeal. Natural and distressed pieces are great for a worn appeal and a historied feel.
Benches can have multiple uses. Some benches have full bottoms with hollow storage space inside. This can be great near the garden as you can store garden supplies nearby. Shop the Look
Here is a fantastic example of a bench being built into other features. This bench is built in the middle of some raised flower beds. This makes great use of space that may have otherwise gone unused.
Here is a stunning and isolated stone bench in the side of a hill. This stone bench has a great patina. The mossy surroundings give this entire area an aged feel that is quite appealing.
Here is the perfect bench for two. This bench is lightweight and easily movable so you can transport it to any spot that needs a bit of extra seating. Learn more here.
This pale blue bench with matching table and cushions is great for a light and breezy area. This style of bench has a very beachy feel that is amazing for a seaside patio.
Classics are classics for a reason. This classic style bench is perfect for almost any patio or porch. It sits well in any yard and among any garden area. Learn more here.
Using wood gives a bench a very natural feel. This bench is made from nearly raw tree branches. This is a method that produces a very natural looking, yet still crafted, piece.
Here is a nice bench with simple lines that fits great on the side of a footpath. It is a welcoming place to sit where any passerby would love to take a break and enjoy the wonderful scenery.
These four slightly curved benches are all situated around a fire pit. This makes for a great gathering spot with wonderful seating. Everyone is near the fire and still on matching seating. A perfect place for a night around the fire. Learn more here.
