Garden Benches

The garden bench is the essential piece of garden furniture. Classic slats, rattan, hardwood, teak, or Tête-à-Tête; the humble garden bench comes in many forms. Simple old fashioned craftsmanship or stunning modern stylings aside, nothing says simple summer pleasures better than a garden bench.

The bench: solid, permanent and reassuring. Seems like it’s been around for ever; and yet it’s still a very modern (even trendy) garden feature. It’s stood the test of time, simply because it works so well; it’s functional, practical, and very reliable. Lavish a little care on your garden bench and there really is very little that can go wrong with it! Above all, it’s just so inviting. You just try to resist settling down for the afternoon in your favourite spot. Bring an optional cushion – and an optional friend; plenty of drinks and nibbles; and spend some time simply taking in your garden, chatting, reading, or blending into the background.

Every garden needs a bench. It’s well known that if you’re taking tea, tucking into a good book, or lazing away the day, the bench is best. But with so many benches to choose from, how do you ever decide on the perfect perch for your garden?

Traditional wooden benches are just as popular as ever. They’re inexpensive, easy to assemble and, of course, just about the hardest wearing piece of furniture you’ll ever buy. A wooden bench is really an organic component of your garden. It’s the sort of feature that blends into your garden space; that matures with it and changes over time. Varnished, coloured, treated or natural, the bench is such a popular choice because it’s so hard wearing and simply because it looks so good. There is something intrinsically right about a well crafted bench taking pride of place in your favoured garden nook.

Practical too: looking for a little extra storage space into the bargain? Many benches are available with plenty of in-built storage potential. Just lift the seat and stow away the garden clutter; then sit down for a well deserved rest. Doubly satisfying!

Of course you don’t have to stick with the classics. As garden design has flourished, so have the opportunities to embellish your garden with any number of elaborate features, benches among them. It’s not all straight lines and slats. Look for intricate lattice work, delicate features and fresh contemporary design. Many modern designers take their influences from their materials, giving you unspoilt woods, smooth granite surfaces and contemporary metal sheen to choose from.

Lightweight all weather rattan benches are cool summer favourites; while granite is just as cool – and particularly hardwearing. No maintenance required; whatever the weather. Durable lightweight aluminium benches and even swing benches provide solid style that’s easy on the eye.

You might just be surprised at the huge range of styles at your disposal; from classic simplicity to Rococo stylings, via the works of Monet and all manner of Oriental influences. The humble garden bench really has come of age.

Benches are truly artistic, exciting pieces of garden furniture. But no matter how grand, how imaginatively conceived or beautifully designed, they’re still undoubtedly there to be used. Utilise your bench as a garden feature; admire it; just use it – and enjoy it.

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