Simona is an interior design and décor writer for Homedit. Since 2011, she has been writing about interior design, DIY solutions, and the latest trends in home architecture.
A bench is a welcomed feature in a garden. It provides a comfortable place for resting and admiring the surroundings plus there are many others ways in which it can be useful. Garden benches are more than just furniture. If it’s well-placed, a bench can make a huge difference in your garden and we’ll give some examples shortly.
One of the ways in which you can use a garden bench is if you want to highlight a view or maybe a water feature and to be able to make the most of it. Of course, a bench with a view would also need to be comfortable if it’s to be truly useful. In order to ensure that, there are a few things you can do. For instance, you can make sure that the bench is placed in a dry and stable setting so you can use it all year round. You could surround it with some gravel, pebbles or big rocks and you can even give it a roof.
In the summer, you’ll want the bench to be in a shaded area. You can put it under a tree or install an umbrella or you can come up with a more permanent solution such as a trellis roof or some other sort of structure. Try to avoid putting up walls or dividers which could obstruct the view and diminish the freshness of the ambiance. To increase the comfort even more, you could also add some pillows. Just make sure they’re covered in all-weather fabric.
Another way in which a garden bench can be practical is if it offers some sort of built-in storage. It could have a top that folds up or that’s removable and under it (inside the bench) there could be a secret storage compartment where you could keep some extra pillows and maybe even a blanket. You might also want to add some sort of table (maybe a tree stump) which can serve as a table.
You should also try to picture the ambiance you’d like to be able to enjoy while sitting on the bench. Take into consideration all the senses and consider placing the bench near some flowering plants or to add some after you’ve installed the bench. This way there will be a nice fragrance that will make the experience even better. A corten steel planter might do the trick.