Best garden benches: must-have outdoor benches

Find the best garden benches for your outdoor space; from stylish contemporary seating to the classic wooden garden bench

Best garden benches - best modern garden bench
(Image credit: Made)

Our edit of the best garden benches proves this somewhat traditional garden seat doesn't need to be dull. 

Of course, there's nothing wrong with a classic wooden garden bench, but the best outdoor benches in our round-up combine contemporary style, vibrant colour and multifaceted materials, breathing new life into this timeless garden classic. 

The perfect option for when the weather isn't quite warm enough for full-on lounging in the sun, a garden bench provides a spot to rest and admire the view, a sheltered nook to enjoy a few pages of a book, and a place to perch with a friend for a coffee. 

If you're ready to sort out your entire alfresco seating set-up, then make sure to find the most stylish options in our best garden furniture round-up, but otherwise, read on to discover the best garden bench for your outside space...

Best garden benches

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Best garden benches - best modern garden bench - Made Yuri

(Image credit: Made)

1. Made Yuri Garden Bench

Best garden bench; best colourful garden bench

Specifications

Material: Poly rattan, Steel
Size: H94 x W156 x D70cm
Weight: 17kg

Reasons to buy

+
Colourful and contemporary

Reasons to avoid

-
Fairly heavy to move about

You can dream you're in an exotic oasis with this colourful and contemporary garden bench from Made. 

Woven polyrattan in a vibrant two-tone colourway forms the elliptical seat whilst clean-lined black legs continue the modern look.

Also available in coordinating woven lounge chair, this tropical garden set says cocktails on the patio to us.

Best garden benches - best metal garden bench - Hay Palissade

(Image credit: Hay)

2. Hay Palissade Bench

Best garden bench; a modern and minimal metal garden bench

Specifications

Material: Electro galvanized steel
Size: H80 x W128 x D70cm
Weight: 16kg

Reasons to buy

+
Contemporary yet timeless style
+
Coordinating options let you build a garden furniture set suited to your outside space

Reasons to avoid

-
Metal can be cold to the touch or get very hot in the sun
-
Fairly heavy to move about

Modern lines and a minimal silhouette make up Danish brand Hay's timeless Palissade bench. 

A simple yet carefully-considered curved frame makes this metal garden bench surprisingly comfortable to sit on, whilst its clean-lined Nordic appeal has ensured it has become something of a modern design classic. 

Alongside the Palissade garden bench, there are another twelve pieces in this extensive outdoor furniture range, allowing the option to build a garden seating set-up that's perfectly attuned to your outside space.

Best garden benches - best folding wooden garden bench - La Redoute

(Image credit: La Redoute)

3. La Redoute Yuki 3-Seater Folding Garden Bench

Best garden bench; best wooden garden bench for space-saving storage

Specifications

Material: Acacia wood with teak finish
Size: H83 x W180 x D51cm
Weight: 19.5 kg

Reasons to buy

+
Foldable design makes for space-saving winter storage
+
Hardwearing acacia wood
+
Long enough to seat three

Reasons to avoid

-
Fairly heavy to move about

If you have the space then the Yuki bench can be used as hallway seating during the winter months and a garden bench in the summer. However, the useful folding design also makes for space-saving storage if you do want to put it out of sight. 

Made from teak-finished acacia wood  - renowned for its moisture resistance and durability - this sturdy wooden bench has more than enough space for three to sit on its slatted-plank seat.

Best garden benches - best modern garden bench - Garden Trading Hampstead

(Image credit: Garden Trading)

4. Garden Trading Hampstead Bench

Best garden bench; best modern garden bench

Specifications

Material: PE (Polyethylene) bamboo seat, powder-coated steel legs
Size: H83 x W126 x D76cm
Weight: 12.7kg

Reasons to buy

+
Contemporary design suitable for indoors and outdoors
+
Matching furniture available

Reasons to avoid

-
PE imitation bamboo makes this bench more weatherproof, but isn't sustainable

Most garden furniture will need storing under cover during the winter months to prolong its lifespan, and if you don't have a large garage or roomy garden shed this can cause problems once the wet weather begins. 

The Hampstead bench from Garden Trading solves this problem by looking as desirable indoors as it does out!

Made from polyethylene imitation bamboo to give it more weather resistance out of doors, the on-trend butterfly shape seat is parired with contemporary black powder-coated steel legs. 

Available with a range of matching chairs, tables, and swoon-worthy hanging chair, the garden bench makes a great start to an eye-catching garden set. 

Best garden benches - best bistro garden bench - Argos Eve

(Image credit: Argos Home)

5. Argos Home Eve Metal 2 Seater Garden Bench

Best garden bench; affordable and space-saving folding bistro bench

Specifications

Material: Painted metal
Size: H80 x W82 x D46cm
Weight: 8.9kg

Reasons to buy

+
Very affordable
+
Foldable design makes for easy storage
+
Space-saving option great for balconies and small patios 

Reasons to avoid

-
Its very snug for seating two
-
Metal can be cold to the touch or get very hot in the sun

If you have a small outdoor space, then maximising its potential is all about clever solutions, and this folding bistro bench from Argos Home could be one of them. 

Designed to fold away when not in use, this small garden bench means you won't need much storage space to keep it dry during the winter months, and at 82cm wide it remains compact in size even when unfolded - great for balconies and tiny suntraps. (Although two adults might find it a bit of a squeeze).

The bench seat is part of the Eve range which includes two metal folding chairs and a folding table - ideal for making the most of whatever outside space you have. 

Best garden benches - best rattan garden bench - La Redoute Calamus

(Image credit: La Redoute)

6. La Redoute Calamus Rattan Bench Seat

Best garden bench; a show-stopping rattan garden bench

Specifications

Material: Rattan with natural acrylic varnish finish
Size: H80 x W160 x D72cm
Weight: 25kg

Reasons to buy

+
On-trend rattan in super eye-catching design

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most weather-resistant
-
Fairly bulky to store indoors over winter
-

For show-stopping design, this statement rattan garden bench from La Redoute has to be cream of the crop. 

Designed to be used either indoors or out - although it will need to be stored inside in wet weather - this on-trend rattan feature piece is guaranteed to draw admiring glances.

Available as part of La Redoute's Calamus range, which includes an armchair and dining chair in the same bold filigree design, this bohemian inspired outdoor bench is crafted from handwoven rattan with an acrylic finish to increase its moisture-resistance. 

Best garden benches - best cheap wooden garden bench - Argos Newbury

(Image credit: Argos Home)

7. Argos Home Newbury Wooden 2 Seater Garden Bench

Best garden bench; most affordable wooden garden bench

Specifications

Material: FSC pressure treated timber
Size: H85 x W122 x D57cm
Weight: 8.5kg

Reasons to buy

+
Best budget wooden bench
+
Lightweight wood design makes it easy to move

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as sturdy or durable as teak or acacia hardwood
-
Self-assembly required

If you want a classic wooden garden bench that won't break the bank - and is easy to move around until you find the perfect spot - then Argos' Eve wood bench might just hit the mark. 

Its very affordable price tag is down to the fact that this bench isn't made of the usual teak or acacia hardwood that offers garden furniture natural strength, moisture-resistance and durability. But if you're after a fairly cheap option to make the most of the summer sunshine then this is a good compromise.

Just be aware there will be self-assembly involved when this bench is delivered, but everything you need is included in the box. 

Best Garden bench - Best IKEA Garden bench

(Image credit: IKEA)

8. IKEA Brusen 3 Seat Sofa Bench

Best garden bench; the best IKEA garden bench

Specifications

Material: Powder-coated steel
Size: H75 x W146 x D64cm
Weight: 32kg

Reasons to buy

+
Contemporary and colourful design
+
Very substantial build
+
Low maintenance

Reasons to avoid

-
Fairly weighty 
-
Metal can be cold to the touch or get very hot in the sun

Sometimes the weather doesn't play ball and give us the brilliant sunshine we'd all like to have when we step out into the garden, but IKEA's best garden bench will still be on hand to brighten your mood. 

This solid steel bench is powder-coated in a vibrant and uplifting bright red hue, which brings fun and playfulness to a family garden, or contemporary style to a modern courtyard or patio.

Designed to withstand the elements, the build is sturdy and strong - although that does mean it's pretty weighty to move - offering many years of  alfresco enjoyment.

More garden seating:

Amy Lockwood
Decor Editor

After completing a major house renovation, Amy discovered what she had always suspected; that decorating is the best part. She joined the Real Homes team to share her love for all things interior, finally putting all those hours spent agonizing over the best white paint to good use in Real Homes’ carefully researched buying guides, and helping readers to find the best furniture, decor, and furnishings to create the home they've always dreamed of.