Outdoor bench seating is an essential component of your garden or patio. It helps you relax, socialize, and enjoy nature.
How and where you place them significantly affects their functionality and aesthetics. Failure to pay close attention to the arrangement may lead to a less collected look and you may not enjoy the moments you sit out there.
With that said, find below some insightful ideas on how to set up your garden benches.
Measure Your Area
Start by getting the exact measurements of the overall area where you intend to place the porch benches. Pay attention to existing structures like trees, bushes, fences, and pathways. You must leave enough room for movement around the benches so that the setup doesn’t feel cramped.
Leave at least 2 to 3 feet of clearance around each bench for easy access. If you have two benches beside each other, make sure to provide some room between them to maintain an open and welcoming feel. And for areas where you expect lots of foot traffic, such as a dining zone, you’d want to leave even more space.
Proportion is also a critical consideration. Too big a bench may overwhelm your garden, while a very tiny one will get lost visually in the garden and make no impact. Aim at a bench that seats two or three people comfortably.
Pay Close Attention To The Material
Garden benches come in three common materials – wood, metal, and plastic. Outdoor plastic benches are popular for several reasons. They’re highly durable, as they’re made from high-density polyethylene. This material resists stains, corrosive substances, insects, fungi, and many other environmental elements. It’s also maintenance-free, with no need for frequent painting, staining, or cleaning. They never fade, maintaining the desired aesthetics for as long as possible.
High-quality hardwoods like oak and teak are another ideal option for outdoor benches. These are resistant to outdoor conditions and termites as well. They’re more expensive than other benches, but the investment pays off as you won’t have to replace or repair them every now and then.
Metal outdoor benches are another durable and stylish option, often crafted from wrought iron, aluminum, or steel. Wrought iron benches offer a classic, elegant look and are extremely sturdy, though they require occasional maintenance to prevent rust.
Face Appealing Views
Whoever sits on the benches will surely appreciate the pleasant views before them. Avoid placing the benches in non-interesting areas, such as in front of a blank wall, utility shed, or the back of a fence. Set them up where the occupant can take a look at landscaped areas, bubbling fountains, decorative planters, or blooming gardens.
Beyond splendid features within your garden, consider other views like mountains, rolling hills, lakes, or forests. Ensure your benches are angled correctly to capture the best perspective of these natural attractions. You can also install morning benches facing the eastern side to capture the sunrise and west-facing ones to enjoy sunsets.
Protection From the Elements
The outdoors aren’t always comfortable all day or all year round. At one point or the other, you might have to battle intense sun, speedy winds, or rain. So, it helps to position your outdoor furniture in spots that provide shelter against these elements.
Placing a garden bench under a tree canopy can shield you from the scorching sun in hot summers. You can also consider a pergola or trellis covered with vines for sun protection. Besides the cooling experience, shaded areas shield you from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, which have been shown to cause skin cancer and other skin complications. In the absence of natural shades, you may want to install shade solutions like retractable awnings, umbrellas, or shade sails.
A patio bench on a roofed patio is a sure shield against unexpected sprinkles or storms. For cold winds, position outdoor benches against windbreaks like tall shrubs, hedges, garden walls, or lattice screens. These barriers can effectively block or soften the wind without completely enclosing the space. preserving that sense of openness is essential for outdoor spaces.
Choose a Focal Point
Arrange your benches in a manner that creates a focal point. Having a center of attraction helps draw people in. You can use existing focal points like an outdoor fireplace, fire pit, decorative fountain, sculpture, or pond. Position benches to face or surround these elements in a semi-circle or U-shape. People sitting facing the feature in question will appreciate the view.
If your garden has none of these, you may want to build one using a large planter filled with flowering plants or ornamental grasses. Other options include birdbaths, vertical gardens, or garden art.
Place Your Largest Piece First
Always start with the largest bench if you have several pieces you want to cluster together. It acts as a centerpiece and sets the tone for the arrangement of the other pieces. The largest bench provides the most seating space and visual weight and therefore should be placed with this in mind for uncompromised functionality and aesthetics.
The largest bench should be positioned so the people sitting on it have the most commanding view. That is, it should face the focal point of the garden, an open landscape, or a central gathering feature like a fire pit or fountain. This way, it guides the flow and orientation of the surrounding furniture.
Once the largest bench is in place, you can arrange the remaining seating and accent furniture like deck chairs, side tables, stools, or planters around it. Do this in a manner that supports the intended use of the seating zone, be it relaxation, conversations, peaceful solitude, or dining.
Use the L-Shape Configuration for a Sociable Space
An L-shaped arrangement is the perfect choice for creating the right atmosphere for entertaining in the garden. This configuration naturally encourages interaction as people face each other from adjoining angles. It doesn’t feel too formal or rigid as is the case with seats that face each other.
The L arrangement also makes efficient use of corners in your garden or patio. It helps convert underutilized zones into lively, functional spots. But even in open spaces, the L-shaped arrangement helps define boundaries without the need for walls or partitions.
Conclusion
The functionality and aesthetics of outdoor benches depend largely on how you arrange them. It’s never just a matter of placing them at some open spot. It takes some degree of thoughtfulness to position them in a manner that mesmerizes anyone who sits on them. The tips above are an excellent starting point. For an even more collected look, consider engaging an experienced exterior designer for customized insight into the best formation on your garden or patio.
