Adding one of this year's best garden benches to your outside space is a surefire way to maximise your use of your garden – offering space to sit back and watch the changing of the seasons throughout the year.
As such, we've trawled the stores to curate this Ideal Home edit, sourcing the best wooden garden benches, the most practical outdoor storage benches, and contemporary two and three-seater benches that will create a stylish focal point in the garden. There are investment pieces from John Lewis & Partners, Garden Trading, and Barker and Stonehouse, as well as affordable options from Argos, Habitat, and Amazon.
We've also included a mix of materials in our edit, from super durable and weather-resistant teak wood to more affordable eucalyptus wood benches and low-maintenance PE-rattan and powder-coated steel options. You'll find a breakdown of the pros and cons of each material at the bottom of this page.
Want more great outdoor buys? Make sure to check out our guide to the best garden furniture of the year. Otherwise, read on to find the best garden bench for your outside space.
Best garden benches
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Dimensions: H90 x W160 x D67cm Seats: 3 Material: teak wood
+ Statement style
+ Hardwearing, weather-resistant teak wood
+ Eco-friendlier reclaimed materials
+ Fully-assembled
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
This reclaimed 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. Use teak oil to preserve the honey colour, or allow the bench to weather to a silver-grey patina. Arriving fully assembled, that geometric backrest gives this garden classic a modern edge; perfect for any outdoor space.
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: H90 x W161 x D64cm Seats: 3 Material: teak wood
+ Timeless design
+ Hardwearing, weather-resistant teak wood
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
- Self-assembly
Designed by Barlow Tyrie, the company responsible for the iconic 'London Bench' that's now a familiar sight in most public parks, this classic shape makes for the quintessential wooden garden bench. This teak version might be over twice the price of the almost identical Barlow Tyrie eucalyptus wood bench (see below), but in terms of longevity that investment is likely to pay off, with hardwearing teak timber one of the most weather-resistant hardwoods available. Plus, this option gives you a few extra inches of seat space.
Dimensions: H90 x W147 x D62cm Seats: 3 Material: eucalyptus wood
+ More affordable, weather-resistant eucalyptus wood
- Less longevity than teak wood
- Some maintenance required in applying wood preservative to prolong lifespan
- Self-assembly
This is the more affordable eucalyptus wood version of Barlow Tyrie's classic wooden bench. Although eucalyptus 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. At half the price of its teak counterpart, we think it's well worth considering. We like the simple and sturdy design which will work perfectly in any style of garden.
Dimensions: H85 x W115 x D61.5cm Seats: 2 Material: soft wood
+ Useful hidden storage
+ Affordable
- Soft wood is less durable outdoors than teak or eucalyptus 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 in the built-in storage box under the seat. The affordable price tag is also a winner, although the bench is crafted from fir wood which – despite being fairly durable for a softwood – won't have the longevity of hardwood like teak, eucalyptus, or acacia. It also doesn't feel as quite as robust as its hardwood counterparts.
Dimensions: H80.5 x W132.5 x D75cm Seats: 2 Materials: plastic
+ Useful hidden storage
+ Affordable
+ Low-maintenance
- Plastic not an eco-friendly option
- Self-assembly
This wood-effect polypropylene garden storage bench is a low-maintenance and practical solution for a garden without a shed to store tools and outdoor paraphernalia. The useful 265-litre storage capacity offers plenty of space to stash kids' outdoor toys, a watering can, and all the other odds and ends you'd rather tidy away out of view, plus it can seat two adults. Its lockable storage compartment will also bring peace of mind. And whilst its plastic construction might not look the most authentic, or make for an eco-friendly choice, it does mean you don't need to paint or treat it with preservative like a wooden option.
Dimensions: H85 x W125 x D57cm Seats: 2 Materials: powder-coated steel
+ Affordable
+ Quick to dry
+ Good for a smaller garden
+ Low maintenance
+ Mostly pre-assembled
- Powder-coated steel is best stored under cover over winter to prolong its lifespan
This black 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.
Dimensions: H81 x W150 x D63cm Seats: 3 Material: powder-coated steel
+ Timeless design
+ Quick to dry
+ 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 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 style
+ Quick to dry
+ Low maintenance
+ 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 powder-coated olive green or black, or a galvanised steel option, its timeless minimalist curves add a sculptural quality in the 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: H79 x W125.5 x D68cm Seats: 2 Materials: PE-rattan and powder-coated steel
+ Affordable
+ Matching outdoor furniture
- Powder-coated steel frames are best stored under cover over winter to prolong their lifespan
This compact and contemporary PE-rattan bench seat is a great choice for a modern garden, and if you opt for a set to create conversational seating then you can stack one on top of the other to save space when they're not in use. The Acapulco-style design adds a sculptural quality to the patio, whilst the grey colourway is perfect for injecting some simple Scandi style, although the powder-coated steel frame is best stored under cover over winter to prolong the seating's lifespan.
Dimensions: H81 x W120 x D66cm Seats: 2 Materials: PE-rattan and powder-coated steel
+ Affordable
+ Matching outdoor furniture
+ Cushions included
- Powder-coated steel frames are best stored under cover over winter to prolong their lifespan
Add some beachy vibes to your patio with this rattan-effect garden bench and you'll be transported to an imaginary tropical oasis when the British sun shines. A part of B&Q's bestselling Apolima outdoor collection, this garden bench has plenty of matching furniture to create a coordinated garden scheme. Add the must-have Apolima Egg Chair or a couple of the Apolima Armchairs to create an outdoor conversational set.
Dimensions: H135 x W156 x D112cm Seats: 3 Materials: PE-rattan and aluminium
+ Statement style
+ Spacious daybed seating
+ Matching outdoor furniture
+ Cushions included
- Depth means it might not be suitable for a smaller garden
Although it's technically a daybed, if you have the space to play with then we think this statement bench seat makes a great addition to an outdoor living space. Cushions are included and feature removable and machine washable covers, and the durable weather and rust-resistant aluminium frame with low-maintenance synthetic cording help to justify that larger price tag. Position it in a prominent place, and you'll have a super stylish patio focal point.
The 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.
Rattan garden benches are most likely to actually be made from 'PE-rattan' or polyurethane rattan, which, as a plastic, makes for low-maintenance, moisture-resistant, and practical outdoor options, albeit not necessarily the most environmentally-friendly choice. The durability of a rattan garden bench is mainly down to the metal used as the structural frame, with aluminium proving the most robust, and powder-coated steel the more affordable yet slightly less durable option.
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. For more tips on styling a compact outdoor space make sure to visit our small garden ideas.
How we chose the products in this round-up
To find the best garden benches for this list we visited some of the most popular outdoor stores, dived into the specifications to sort the wheat from the chaff, grilled the Ideal Home team for their expert knowledge, 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.
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