Garden Benches: 17 Creative & Rustic Ideas

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This idea gallery features a variety of garden benches including classic, creative, and rustic styles, perfect as a focal point to display flower pots and garden art in your outdoor space.

If you would like ideas for sitting areas, also see 24 Relaxing Garden Nooks.

Collage of creative garden benches in the garden. — Garden benches can be decorative, functional, or both

Creative Garden Bench Ideas

Examples of creative and rustic garden benches. — Creative and useful garden bench ideas

There is an inside joke between gardeners about garden benches and sitting areas in general—and the consensus is—we don’t use them—or not for sitting, that is. The moment you do try to sit in a garden, you see what needs doing and can’t help but get up and do it. And before you know it, hours have passed.

Perhaps this is why so many garden benches are used as functional garden art.

Whether a bench is a classic style or a quirky DIY project made from old tree branches, they make great focal points in the garden.

These ideas come from home gardens I’ve visited on garden tours. They are organized by themes. Have a look and see what’s next for your outdoor space.

Shop For Benches

Etsy Garden Benches | There are all sorts of ready-made benches and DIY garden bench building plans on Etsy.

Birdhouse Benches

The world of home and garden décor goes through all sorts of trends through the years including duck and cow themes and birdhouses.

This idea to make the back boards of a garden bench look like a birdhouse never gets old to me.

I’ll show you a few variations.

Small birdhouse style garden bench with red flowers. — Small birdhouse style garden bench with red flowers

I like how the wood for this next bench looks like giant popsicle sticks.

Wood garden bench with birdhouse trim. — Wood garden bench with birdhouse trim

Here’s another view—it’s a lovely woodland setting.

This next one was painted bright red and (perhaps) sponge-painted with white paint overtop. Love the giant teacup planter (here’s a smaller version) and fake squirrel.

Red birdhouse style garden bench. — Red birdhouse style garden bench

This next one converted each of the back wood pieces into faux birdhouses.

Plain wood birdhouse bench. — Plain wood birdhouse bench

This next one is really rustic and half way to being a birdhouse bench.

Basic red garden bench with garden art. — Basic red garden bench with garden art

Rustic Garden Benches

Rustic garden benches are made by using tree branches for parts of the bench.

Rustic wood garden bench under tree. — Rustic wood garden bench under tree

To keep the bench functional, this first one has a table-like frame made from lumber. The arm rests and back are made from rustic branches.

Just like the previous bench, this one is a combination of lumber and rustic branches and the whole thing has been painted white.

Repurposed Bed Bench

This quirky little bench is made from an old metal headboard and baseboard. The baseboard has been cut in half and welded to the headboard. The bed rails (cut to size) are used to support the wood pieces forming the seat.

Garden bench made from old bed frame. — Garden bench made from old bed frame

Wagon Wheel Bench

Garden bench made from rusty old wagon wheels — Rusty wagon wheel garden bench

Old-fashioned wagon used as a flower planter.

Classic Wood Benches

This first bench is a traditional, classic design made with untreated wood.

Classic wooden garden bench. — Classic wooden garden bench

The fan-shaped back pieces on this next bench make it somewhat unique.

Fan back wood garden bench. — Fan back wood garden bench

This next one-of-a-kind creation seems to be made from 2x4s and 2x2s.

Black wooden garden bench. — Black wooden garden bench

If you want building plans for various styles, there are lots here on Etsy, or check books at your local library.

Storage Bin Bench

If you need a place to store patio cushions, a box-like storage bench like this one is a good solution.

Garden storage bench with blue decor — Garden storage bench with cushions

The deck (above) used a blue color theme throughout the space.

Blue-themed garden decor including plates, cushions, art, and doors.

Concrete Garden Bench

If you want a bench that will last for many years, a traditional concrete one like this is a good option. No maintenance required!

Concrete bench with bright pink petunias in planter

Metal Garden Benches

These next metal (or cast iron) garden benches are more for art than function.

Metal garden bench with garden art. — Metal garden bench with garden art

The bench (above) fits in nicely with the plants and garden art. If buying one, I’d want to shop in-person to be sure it’s solid enough to sit on or hold heavy planters. This bench has a hummingbird theme.

The bench (below) is vintage and best used as a decoration.