12 best garden benches I’ve seen this year – from metal to wooden, budget to luxury and traditional to modern ones, I’ve found the best designs available
Whether you're looking for a wooden or a metal garden bench with whatever budget, this list has the right bench fror you
Amy Lockwood
A garden bench is a great addition to any outdoor space, offering easy seating to relax, enjoy a read or a cup of coffee. But whether you’re not sure where to get the best garden benches or are overwhelmed with the choice, I’ve narrowed it down to 12 styles across different price points, from budget to luxury, and various aesthetics, including both traditional and modern, to make shopping easier for you.
Unlike other categories of the best garden furniture out there, most garden benches are either made of metal or wood – and so these two materials are the focus of this guide. But just like with any outdoor furniture, there are certain materials - specific metals and woods - that make for better and more durable garden furniture. I’ve broken down which the best ones are, but I’ve also made sure that all of my top picks included here are made from those better materials, too.
Where to buy a garden bench
- Amazon: for classic styles from a wide range of brands
- Argos: for chic, budget Habitat benches, as well as other brands
- B&Q: for a wide range of affordable benches
- Garden Trading: for teak wood benches of all shapes
- Holloways of Ludlow: for designer benches in one place
- John Lewis: for a selection of benches of varied styles
- La Redoute: for designer-look benches thatwon't break the bank
- Wayfair: for traditional benches at affordable prices
Best wooden garden benches
Dimensions: H92 x W160 x D66cm Seats: 3 Material: teak wood
+ Contemporary curved style
+ Hardwearing, weather-resistant teak wood
+ Eco-friendlier responsibly sourced materials
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
- Higher price point
This responsibly sourced teak wood garden bench may be an investment, but crafted from the most durable solid hardwood, it's designed to last a lifetime, with the dense grain and natural oils present in slow-growing teak offering long-lasting protection from the elements so it can be left outside all year round. Use teak oil to preserve the honey colour, or allow the bench to weather to a silver-grey patina. This is a slightly more contemporary and high-quality take on the popular banana bench style, featuring a curved backrest and seat.
Dimensions: H105 x W165 x D60cm Seats: 3 Material: teak wood
+ Relatively affordable for hard wood
+ Hardwearing, weather-resistant teak wood
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
- Self-assembly
Named after its creator, Sir Edwin Lutyens, a British architect who designed English country houses in the early 1900s, the Lutyens bench, also sometimes known as a Sissinghurst bench or Marlborough bench, is a look now emulated by a variety of manufacturers. This decorative teak option offers a spacious three-seater frame along with distinctive rolled arms and a high scalloped backrest. The price point is very affordable considering its hardwood construction, you'll just need to self-assemble before you can sit back and relax.
Dimensions: H89 x W120 x D55cm Seats: 2 Material: acacia wood
+ Space-saving, flexible foldable design
+ Affordable price point
+ Classic style
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
- Self-assembly
Anything space-saving or that works fo small garden ideas gets brownie points from me as it's a design that focuses on problem solving. And that's exactly what this John Lewis bench does with its folding feature. So if it's not in use or you need the space for an activity or anything else, then you can just fold it and put it away. Made from acacia wood which is a more affordable but still great alternative for teak, the bench is also very budget-friendly selling for only £149.
Dimensions: H87 x W125 x D66cm Seats: 2 Material: acacia wood
+ More affordable, weather-resistant acacia wood
+ Stylish curved design
- Less longevity than teak wood
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
Most wooden garden benches have a very classic, traditional style. But if you like the look of wood but prefer a sleeker, more contemporary aesthetic, this La Redoute number is for you. Boasting a simple slatted frame with a lightly curved profile, this bench looks quietly chic. Although acacia wood isn't generally considered as long-lasting as teak, its natural oils still give it plenty of outdoor weather resistance, and a little maintenance with a regular top-up of wood preservative will increase its durability further.
Dimensions: H89.4 x W127 x D60.9cm Seats: 2 Material: acacia wood
+ Useful hidden storage
+ More affordable, weather-resistant acacia wood
- Less longevity than teak wood
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
- Self-assembly
If outdoor space is at a premium then this compact wooden storage bench will work hard to earn its keep, offering seating for two, plus hidden storage for plant pots and tools, as well as your best outdoor cushions in the built-in storage box under the seat. The bench is reasonably priced given the ample storage space and robust acacia wood material. But if the full price is outside of your budget, the good news is that Wayfair regularly offers garden furniture deals so keep an eye out.
Dimensions: H71 x W130 x D48.5cm Seats: 2 Materials: teak wood
+ Ergonomically shaped for comfort
+ Hardwearing, weather-resistant teak wood
+ Eco-friendlier responsibly sourced materials
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
- Higher price point
- Self-assembly
Garden Trading has one of the best collections of teak wood garden benches – and I simply couldn't just pick one since there are so many great, stylish and clever designs to choose from. If long-term lounging and high levels of comfort are your priority then this ergonomically shaped teak wood bench is the one for you. Built for comfort, while also looking super stylish, the bench features specially moulded seats that can easily accommodate two at a time. And if you're after a matching set, there's also a matching armchair and a coffee table available.
Best metal garden benches
Dimensions: H86 x W124 x D61.5cm Seats: 2 Materials: powder-coated steel
+ Affordable
+ Available in 3 colourways
+ Good for a smaller garden
+ Low maintenance
+ Fully assembled
- Powder-coated steel is best stored under cover over winter to prolong its lifespan
This metal bench features an open slat design that allows it to drain and dry quickly after a downpour, and that works particularly well in a smaller garden or patio area, as it allows the eye to travel through the furniture to the furthest ends of the garden without blocking the view. Powder-coated steel isn't as rust-resistant as an aluminium option when exposed to water (although it will be significantly cheaper) so if you want to prolong this bench's lifespan it may be wise to store it somewhere dry over winter. And if you want to add a pop of colour to your outdoor space, this is the perfect tool to do it with as it comes in green, yellow and red.
Dimensions: H81 x W150 x D63cm Seats: 3 Material: powder-coated steel
+ Timeless design
+ Available in 3 colourways
+ Low maintenance
- Powder-coated steel is best stored under cover over winter to prolong its lifespan
- Self-assembly
Classic yet contemporary, Garden Trading's Richmond bench is inspired by the iconic metal benches of London's parks and green spaces. This matt-finish steel bench is available in carbon black, creamy clay (pictured) or foliage green, which, combined with the minimal slatted framework, means the timeless design blends effortlessly into any garden scheme, from a modern courtyard or country cottage garden to a contemporary urban space.
Dimensions: H80 x W128 x D70cm Seats: 2 Material: powder-coated steel
+ Statement, curved style
+ Quick to dry
+ Available in 6 colourways
+ Matching outdoor furniture
- Powder-coated steel is best stored under cover over winter to prolong its lifespan
- Self-assembly
Designed by French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Danish brand HAY, this bench is a contemporary classic. Available in a few powder-coated colourways including this deep red, or a galvanised steel option, its timeless minimalist curves add a sculptural quality to any garden, with the 'see-through' design making a small urban garden feel more spacious, and its ribbon-like lines offsetting statement planting. Fourteen coordinating pieces of outdoor furniture also make for easy mixing and matching to enable you to build a set tailored to your individual space.
Dimensions: H95 x W100 x D58cm Seats: 2 Materials: steel
+ Affordable
+ Decorative design with mosaic insets
- Steel frames are best stored under cover over winter to prolong their lifespan
- Self-assembly
Vintage-style wrought iron furniture is currently having a moment, both indoors and outdoors. And it's reflected in the popularity of iron-style garden furniture pieces like this affordable Argos bench. Even though it's not actually made from iron, it has the desired look and vintage charm with a curling design that's even finished with mosaics on the backrest. Given its compact size, it's perfect for small gardens and other outdoor spaces, including balconies. And it's equipped with a seat cushion for comfort.
Dimensions: H74.5 x W117 x D63cm Seats: 2 Materials: powder-coated steel
+ Affordable
+ Available in 2 colourways
+ Fully assembled
- Powder-coated steel frames are best stored under cover over winter to prolong their lifespan
If you're a fan of the green park chairs and benches of Paris, this garden bench design from John Lewis is one of the closest designs to the original. With a similar price point and look to the iconic Habitat Indu bench, this John Lewis bench is a little bit more sleek and modern compared to the Indu. And apart from this olive green colourway, it's also available in a mustard yellow version.
Dimensions: H86 x W132 x D66cm Seats: 3 Materials: iron
+ Unique design that fits around a tree
+ Available in 2 colourways
- Iron requires regular maintenance to avoid rust and corrosion
Garden benches don't necessarily have to come in the traditional shape we all associate them with. And that's what I love about this bench design from La Redoute - by changing the shape to fit around the trunk of a tree, this bench can take advantage of an often underused space under the tree that also happens to be the perfect place to sit in the summer as it provides a natural shade. Available in a distressed-effect painted brown or white, it's ade with iron which is a more traditional garden furniture material popular in the past. Itcan be very long-lasting but its downside is the need for regular maintenance to keep it from rusting and corrosion.
Best garden bench materials
Wooden garden benches are a classic choice for a reason, with hardwoods like teak resisting the elements to look good for decades to come. Slow-growing teak will be one of the most expensive timber options on the market though, so if your budget won't stretch this far then look for faster-growing and more affordable hardwoods like acacia or eucalyptus. These aren't quite as dense and moisture-resistant as teak, but contain similar natural oils which deter outdoor rotting and weathering. To prolong timber's outdoor lifespan, just keep the wood-topped up with a yearly coat of a wood preservative.
Metal garden benches come in two main materials; aluminium and powder-coated steel. Aluminium is the most weather-resistant, rust-resistant, and low-maintenance metal option, but (unless you can snap up a bargain on our garden furniture deals page) will also be the more expensive option. Steel is less durable outdoors, but a powder-coated finish helps to offset its corrosive nature, forming a barrier between the metal and the elements. Powder-coated steel will generally be the most affordable metal option, but you'll need to take a little more care to keep it covered or protected from the worst of the weather and to avoid chips and knocks which may damage the powder-coating and allow rusting to set in. Metal can also get very hot in the sun and cold to the touch in winter, although nothing a few outdoor cushions can't solve and compared to wood, the ability to wipe off any moisture from a metal garden bench immediately after a downpour is a bonus.
And, whatever it's made out of, a garden storage bench seat is a great multifunctional option for a smaller garden as it offers space to hide away gardening tools and equipment whilst also delivering useful seating.
How I chose these top picks
To find the best garden benches for this list, I've visited the stores of some of the most popular outdoor furniture retailers, while also getting exclusive first looks from brands during press previews. I also dived into the specifications to sort the wheat from the chaff, grilled the Ideal Home team for their experience, asked friends and family for their top-rated products, and took into account third party opinions via online reviews. Click here to find out more about how we review products on Ideal Home.
