Nothing compares to spending time outdoors under the sun with your closest friends, family, and loved ones. Unless, of course, your guests get tired and have to exit early, but all the standing they have to do to socialize and enjoy the surroundings.
Seating in your space, indoors or outdoors, is crucial to living comfortably and entertaining successfully. That’s why so many homeowners across the US are increasing their outdoor seating and improving their outdoor spaces. One piece of furniture gaining popularity takes up little space but offers ample seats.
That piece of furniture just so happens to be an outdoor bench. Outdoor benches are simple statement pieces that easily enhance the aesthetic and appearance of your yard or patio while adding 3+ seats to the space.
So, are you ready to make the most of your home, apartment, or condo? Keep reading for the top 10 outdoor bench ideas, the types to explore, and how to find the right one.
10 Outdoor Bench Ideas for Your Space
Want to add an outdoor bench to your backyard or patio but not sure where or what purpose it should serve? This list of ideas and inspiration will help.
#1: A Meditation Area
Welcome peace into your life, small neighborhood or private retreats, by placing a bench in a quiet corner of your yard or garden. Tall ornamental grasses or bamboo can be added to create natural privacy alongside your benches. To make your area that much more zen, consider adding fragrant, calming plants like lavender or jasmine nearby. Whether you’re meditating or quietly contemplating, the strategic placement of your bench will maximize sensory and privacy enjoyment.
#2: Conversation Circles
An area that doesn’t require or desire privacy is a conversation circle made with outdoor benches. To accomplish this, arrange two or three benches in a semi-circle or U-shape configuration. You can add a focal point, like a group of planters or a water feature,, to draw the attention of the circle’s guests.
The best arrangement usually works with 6-8 feet between each bench to maintain a comfortable conversation distance and allow ease of movement between the seats. This arrangement creates an intimate gathering space that encourages social interaction while maintaining clear sight lines between all seated guests.
#3: Path Places
Have a garden path? Add benches at strategic intervals to take stops for rest. Depending on the length of your path, benches are often placed every 30-40 feet for maximum comfort. It helps to position the seats towards a point of interest, such as one of your most stunning shrubs, a butterfly garden, or a pond.
By creating natural pause points you’ll invite visitors to rest and appreciate different aspects of your landscape.
#4: Dining Arrangements
Outdoor kitchens have never been more popular, but they require additional spots for seating and eating. Outdoor benches are a cost-effective way to transform your patio into an outdoor dining space, with long benches on the side of a table or deck edge for extra eating. Or alongside the kitchen space to watch the chef!
Consider adding multiple benches or chairs for flexible seating arrangements while also maintaining an open, communal dining atmosphere.
#5: Pool Deck Arrangement
For parents or non-swimmers, positioning weather-resistant and slip-resistant benches along the pool deck is key. You can place your pool deck outdoor benches in the sun for those who want to sunbathe or in the shade for those seeking to cool off or simply watch the action. For the utmost safety, position the benches at least 6 feet away from the water and arrange them to face the pool and other scenic views for maximum value.
#6: Fire Pit Circles
Another focal point you can add to your circle of benches is a fire pit. A fire pit of benches encourages conversation and creates a natural focus point for outdoor entertaining. You can play around with the type of benches for a mix-and-match eclectic style and for a style that offers something comfortable for everyone.
For instance, younger groups may love a backless edition, while traditional high-back benches might please your older guests. Enhance the ambiance with soft outdoor lighting, side tables for drinks, and weather-resistant cushions. Whether for roasting marshmallows or enjoying a quiet evening, a fire pit bench circle offers warmth and relaxation year-round.
#7: Reading Nook
Some backyards and patios might see a lot of action from pools or sports; others might be quieter and reserved. For those homeowners, a reading nook of benches placed in a partially enclosed space can be inviting and aesthetically pleasing. You can consider backing the area with a trellis, climbing vines, or a flowering shrub.
Pro tip? Face the bench north or east to minimize glare and ensure adequate natural light reaches the seating area. Add small side tables or surfaces for books and beverages, creating a comfortable outdoor reading room.
#8: Sunset Viewing Station
View your book, or set up a spot to take in the sunset and the sunrises. To do so, strategically place benches to face west for optimal sunset viewing. If you can? Consider an elevated locations that offer unobstructed views of the horizon. If you have slopes in your yard, you can arrange multiple benches in a stepped or tiered formation to accommodate groups, ensuring each row has clear sight lines.
#9: Sports Court Sidelines
Courtside seats, say what? Anything is possible with the rest of the arrangement of outdoor benches, even sideline seats. To accomplish this, arrange benches along the sides of recreational areas like basketball courts or children’s play spaces. Positioning them under shade trees or pergolas can help maximize comfort while maintaining clear sight lines to the activity area.
#10: Multi-Level Deck Seating
Maximize deck space by incorporating benches at different levels. Place longer benches along the main deck perimeter, with smaller conversation groupings on lower or upper tiers. Ensure each seating area has its own distinct purpose – dining, lounging, or viewing – while maintaining easy flow between spaces.
Why Choose Recycled Outdoor Furniture?
One thing you’ll quickly learn when shopping for our door benches to use at home is that they come in various materials. Another thing you’ll soon discover is each material has its own unique benefits. Ultimately, one of the most popular choices for outdoor benches is those made from recycled material.
To consider recycled outdoor furniture and outdoor benches for your space, here are some of their top advantages:
- Environmental impact: One of the most apparent benefits of recycled furniture is its positive environmental impact. It directly contributes to reducing waste by repurposing post-consumer plastic that would otherwise end up in the oceans or landfills. A piece of furniture can repurpose hundreds of plastic milk jugs, detergent bottles, and other consumer containers. The manufacturing process also requires up to 50% less energy compared to creating new plastic products, resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint.
- Durability: If you’re looking for an investment and staple piece, there’s no better choice than recycled outdoor furniture. Recycled material offers exceptional durability compared to traditional materials for benches (think wood!). It doesn’t crack, rot, or splinter and won’t rust like metal materials. Even better, it withstands extreme temperatures, such as snow, intense UV exposure, and heavy rain without deteriorating.
- Less maintenance: That durability also lends itself to another advantage—less maintenance than traditional outdoor furniture. Most materials require regular upkeep, such as painting, staining, or sealing. Not recycled furniture. The color is integrated throughout the material, so it won’t fade or require touch-ups. Cleaning involves only soap and water, with no unique treatments or chemicals needed to maintain its appearance and structural integrity.
- Cost-effectiveness: While the initial investment might be higher than some traditional options, its durability offers superior value over time. Without staining or painting, you’ll eliminate nearly any ongoing maintenance cost and future replacement costs due to its long-lasting nature.
- Weather resistance: As we’ve mentioned in regard to maintenance, the recycled material maintains structural integrity despite extreme weather conditions. It doesn’t absorb moisture, which helps prevent warping, rotting, or swelling, and remains stable in temperature extremes. This makes it suitable for climates ranging from -60°F to 150°F, and unlike metal furniture, it won’t become uncomfortably hot in summer or cold in winter.
- Safety features: Protect your guests with material that you know won’t splinter or cause any accidents. Recycled material is naturally slip-resistant, even when wet, making it ideal for pool areas and wet environments. The furniture is also heavy enough to remain stable in windy conditions but light enough to move when needed.
- Chemical resistance: The material used in recycled furniture resists most chemicals, oils, and salt water. This makes it perfect for pool areas where chlorine exposure is common or coastal locations with salt spray. It won’t stain from sunscreen, food spills, or other common outdoor contaminants.
- Pest resistance: Unlike wooden furniture, recycled plastic lumber is naturally resistant to insects, including termites and carpenter bees. It also prevents the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria, making it a more hygienic choice for outdoor seating and dining areas.
Recycled Outdoor Benches from Polly Products
Now that you have ten outdoor bench ideas that you can explore for your backyard or patio, know the benefits of recycled furniture, and know more about the leading manufacturer of them…There’s only one thing left to do. Find your perfect outdoor benches at Polly Products.
Polly Products is an ethical and eco-friendly brand operating out of rural Michigan that is committed to delivering quality products through hard work and honesty. For furniture that stands the test of time and gives back to the environment, look no further than Polly Product’s complete collection of outdoor bench options, picnic tables, and beyond. Need more inspiration or ideas? Check out our blog for more guides and recommendations, or read our FAQs for commonly asked questions. Get in touch for custom quotes or learn more from our team.
