Garden Bench Guide: Tips On Choosing the Right Garden Bench

Why a garden bench? Your garden is probably one of your favorite things to enjoy on a regular basis; it is a picture of tranquility and of being at harmony with nature. The earthy smell emanating from the soil, the lush greenery and the colorful, delicately scented flowers are sure to bring a smile to your face.Your garden can be a peaceful retreat away from the day to day stresses. With a beautiful garden beckoning to you there is no better way to enjoy it than sitting closely on your carefully chosen garden bench.

In this hub I will discuss the right materials for your garden bench, the right style of garden bench for your particular garden and finally the appropriate scale and placement for your new garden bench.

You do not have to be limited about what material to use for your garden bench. The options of materials for your garden bench, or outdoor bench, are only limited by your imagination. You can make a wooden garden bench, or one made from rock, granite, concrete, marble, wrought iron or resin and many others. You can even make use of a huge log nearby.

But that's if you want something simple; if you really want to have a tastefully made garden bench, then you should go for the appropriate material. For instance, if you want to build a garden bench from wood, go for cypress, mahogany, cedar or teak.

While they are aesthetically pleasing, you may need to maintain them because they turn grayish if not taken care of properly. Clean and maintain these benches with mild soap water and some bleach. Among woods, a teak garden bench will be the most durable material because teak inherently produces natural oils that are rot-resistant and prevent mildew growth, cracks and such. Keep the screws and bolts to a bare minimum to give it a nicer look.

If you want to build it from granite, marble, concrete or stone, then you will definitely have a sturdy and beautiful garden bench, but you may want a garden bench cushion on it to sit more comfortably. Experimenting with a plastic garden bench may look good in its own way, but that may not provide a very natural look. So it's also important to think about the look you want. However plastic garden benches are light weight so they are easy to move and they can be simply washed with soap and water so they are easy to care for.

Benches from wrought iron also require maintenance, as they are prone to rusting. However, today such benches feature elaborate finishings with different shapes like curved, straight, backless and other elaborately wielded models.

The ones made from stone or carved stone require zero maintenance and all you need to do is brush off the dust on the top.

The material that you use for your garden bench may largely depend on the kind of garden you have. For example, if your garden has an old world charm with a country style aura, go for the rustic wooden bench. These days a lot of people have gardens with things like statues and sculpted metal shapes around the garden. Instead of going for wood as a material, you can go for a concrete garden bench because the feel of the material will complement the stone planters and metallic sculpture.

Additionally, you might consider the shape of your bench. In some gardens, a simple square shaped bench will be fine. In others, a curved garden bench might work best. Sometimes a backless garden bench makes the most sense, and sometimes you may opt for a more complete design. You can even arrange your garden bench with a couple garden carts to create an ensemble.

Recently people have been investing in resin garden benches too. This kind of bench is made from a particular kind of durable plastic. The beauty of resin lies in its flexibility and adaptability; it can alter its shape, texture and even color to look seemingly wooden, stone or metallic.

Garden benches made from resin are comparatively cheaper and they turn out to be environmentally friendly, as they are made from recycled material. Since it is easy to clean, water proof and does not require paints, it is low maintenance. However, resin benches can become hot quickly under the influence of the overhead sun, and may be subject to cracking. The garden bench should complement the look of the garden and enhance its beauty.  It should be well cared for so it doesn't detract from that beauty.

The size of the garden bench is something that is dependent on personal preferences but generally speaking, a 4 foot bench is enough to give space to two people to sit comfortably without encroaching into excess space of the garden.

Ideally, place the garden bench within the view from your home but at a fair distance. This way, you will be able to see the bench from a distance, beckoning you to come and enjoy the marvelous view of your garden.