Unusual benches made of metal or wood with a table for a summer cottage

As soon as the sunny day has increased, as soon as the snow has melted, and it has become noticeably warmer, summer residents rush to their suburban areas. First, dig up, then plant, weed and water all summer... With such an intense load, a place to rest is simply necessary. How to choose a bench for your garden?

Everything is important in the bench - convenience, appearance and the view that opens from it.

Purpose

Immediately, we note that a bench in a summer cottage is not just a place to rest, therefore, do not think to adapt an inverted box for this purpose, they say, there are more important things to do. A country bench is a complete element of landscape design. Moreover, recently people have stopped coming to the country with one single purpose - to grow a bigger crop. Fortunately, the "hungry" years have passed, and for many, visiting the dacha is, first of all, a rest, an opportunity to "disconnect" from worries and gain strength for a new working week. How can you rest if there is no comfortable bench?

Every garden needs a bench, perhaps more than one.

Style

An important nuance: the style of the garden benches should match the style of the house. Usually, such a decorative addition to a suburban area is carried out last, when the house and all other buildings have already taken their places. So it only remains to supplement the existing design concept.

• If you are a supporter of the classical style, then wooden carved models, as well as forged benches or stone ones with stucco elements, are ideal for your garden.
  

  When choosing a wooden bench, it is important to consider that its service life depends on the type of wood and quality finishes.

• The country style will be effectively complemented by a deliberately rough model made of wood (for example, from a log).
  

  A couple of stumps and a tree trunk sawn along - that's a rustic-style bench ready

• Bamboo options "get along" in the Chinese or Japanese stylistic direction.
  

  Bamboo benches are moisture resistant and can last for decades without much maintenance

• For an elegant English style, the combined benches are the best choice: with a metal base and a wooden seat.
  

  Such an elegant model and environment needs a suitable

• Beautiful and intricate curves are what the French style accepts with its splendor and pretentiousness.
  

  French-style benches are often complemented by comfortable seat and back cushions

• Natural style, as the name implies, accepts only natural materials, which means that choosing a bench made of stumps, logs or rough boards, you definitely won't go wrong.
  

  A bench made of branches and tree cuts - a suitable option for a garden in a natural style

• Finally, spectacular animals (horse, cat), created from metal and wood, are perfect for vintage trends in landscape design. This style "loves" unusual benches.
  

  Butterfly bench made of sheet steel will be a highlight of the original garden landscape

Zoning the site

The bench will not only make the landscape spectacular and unique in its kind. She can easily cope with a functional task. For example, the zoning of the site. In fairness, it should be noted that proper zoning is important not only for large suburban areas. For gardens of modest size, it is also necessary.

Wooden arch with benches - almost a ready-made seating area

So, the bench will easily outline the boundaries of the recreation area or the "outline" of the garden room. Stylish and practical, this element looks at the beginning or at the end of the green corridor. In addition to the above components of the landscape, a dining area, gazebos, a place for receiving guests, a terrace, a pool, a place for children's games and much more can be provided on the site. It is customary to separate all these zones from each other, and often this is done purely symbolically with the help of small architectural forms, improvised hedges or benches.

A pergola with wooden benches is a fairly common version of a garden room

Appointment of benches

There is a certain division of benches in terms of functionality:

• Ceremonial. These models are placed at the entrance to the house. Basically, this is the first thing your guests will see and what will affect the first impression of you and your home. It is important that the design of the main porch and the bench is in harmony with each other. For example, if the entrance lobby is decorated with various wrought iron elements (flower stands, grilles on the windows, a visor), then a wrought iron bench will be an ideal complement to this ensemble.
  

  A bench at the gate invites guests to sit down and relax from the road

• Garden dining benches. Usually these elements of landscape design do not live their own lives, but "gather" in a dining group. This means that the benches must match the material from which the table is made, and match it in style. The best location for such an ensemble is in the barbecue area or on the terrace. It can also be made ceremonial and installed in the reception area. The design is chosen in a variety of ways: from spectacular, to please and surprise guests, to simple and cozy, ideal for quiet family gatherings.
  

  Benches in the dining area should be comfortable primarily for eating

• Rest benches. For the bench to fully live up to its name, you will have to work hard before choosing a place for its location. Ideally, this is a quiet, secluded corner in which nothing will prevent you from enjoying the singing of birds or immersing yourself in an interesting book. Often these benches are installed in front of a pond. There are only two nuances. First, when placed correctly, the most attractive view should be revealed. Secondly, the bench itself is a component of the overall design, and should also match the style and decorate the landscape.
  

  In a secluded corner of the garden, you can put a swing with a comfortable bench

• Relaxation benches. They are installed in the most secluded corners, far from any irritants and observers. They should be large enough to lie on if desired. Soft pillows and your favorite melody (sounds of nature or auto-training) will allow you to relax as much as possible and "disconnect" from everyday worries.
  

  A relaxation bench is more of a lounger with a soft mattress

• Garden. They are installed next to the beds or flower beds. The name speaks of its purpose - it is a place to relax during gardening work. Therefore, the main requirement is convenience, so that there is a backrest and a comfortable seating position. As a rule, they have an extremely simple design and are made from common materials: wood planks or plastic. Forged models with monograms will clearly be out of place.
  

  A garden bench can be made from scrap materials, but it is better to put it in the shade of trees

• Also distinguish between stationary and mobile. They approach the creation (or acquisition) of stationary options more carefully, because the bench will serve for more than one year, must be comfortable and durable, and also not lose its original appearance in order to continue serving as decoration landscape.
  

  The bench on a frame made of shaped pipes is strong enough, and its low weight makes it easy to transfer the structure if necessary

• Upside down benches or transformers. Their main advantage is mobility. If desired, you can easily transfer the structure from place to place. Despite the seeming weightlessness, these benches are very practical and reliable. Mechanisms that can withstand heavy loads are specially selected for them. Although they often do not harmonize with the overall design (the models look very simple), believe me, having bought such a bench, you will definitely not regret it.
  

  DIY transforming garden furniture set

The external design is also different. Models are available with or without backrests, with or without armrests, and even options with drawers, in which the necessary little things are stored.

Common parameters for a garden bench:

1. Seat width 50-55 cm.
2. Seat height from the ground 40-50 cm.
3. Back height 40-50 cm.
4. Backrest tilt from 15 to 45 degrees.
5. The height of the armrests from the seat is 15-20 cm.

Garden Bench Material

Wood, metal, stone, plastic, vine are the most demanded materials for the manufacture of benches. Let's take a closer look.

Wood

Most popular material. Throughout the ages, objects made of natural wood have looked stylish and expensive. The tree is especially appreciated for its environmental friendliness and long service life. The most durable wood is teak. It was used earlier in the construction of ships. Oak, pine, hazel are also in demand.

Wood is often used in DIY garden benches.

Even made somewhat rough, wooden models look very impressive. Benches around the tree complement the landscape very stylishly. Especially if the "base" has a thick trunk and rich crown. This is how a full-fledged gazebo is obtained.

Metal benches

The popularity of this material can be explained very simply - durability. And forged benches with graceful monograms, and light aluminum, and very heavy cast iron models will serve you for many years with proper care. For example, aluminum, contrary to popular belief, is a fairly strong material. Benches made of this metal look very impressive.

Light weight is a definite plus of aluminum benches

Cast iron benches can often be seen in public places, and some of them are more than a hundred years old, although in appearance you cannot tell. The openwork of forged benches cannot be confused with anything. Combined with other wrought iron elements, they literally transform your suburban area, fill it with an atmosphere of style and beauty.

Benches made of high-quality cast iron are durable and durable

A rock

Stone benches always look monumental. Of course, it is better if such a model is installed in a spacious garden. And, despite the fact that they are not very convenient, they are still in constant demand. Such benches eloquently testify to the status of the owners of a country house.

A bench on granite supports will live forever, but such a structure is quite expensive

Plastic

Furniture from this material appeared several decades ago and quickly gained popularity. The main thing for which plastic items are appreciated is an affordable price and practicality. For example, you can leave plastic benches outside in the rain without hesitation, without worrying that something will happen to them. In addition, you can easily transfer such furniture to the other end of the garden, because it weighs practically nothing.

Plastic benches are not afraid of water, but they look cheap and will not fit into every landscape.

Wicker benches

They look unusually stylish and comfortable, but their main drawback is fragility, especially for products made of willow twigs. They are used only under a canopy.

Willow vine furniture is cute, airy and graceful

Recently, original rattan benches have appeared. This material is much stronger than willow, and products made from it last much longer. The "disadvantage" is the high cost of such furniture: after all, rattan does not grow in our country, and it is very expensive to import such items of everyday use. But even in this situation there is a way out - benches made of hularo (or synthetic rattan). The material is made on the basis of rubber and has many synthetic additives, so that it is not inferior in strength to natural rattan. Hularo benches are very convenient, and they are washed by pouring directly from the hose. Manufacturers offer such benches in different colors, as well as with different weaving patterns.

Rattan furniture is much stronger and more reliable than willow products

Perhaps it is difficult to imagine a suburban area where there would be no garden benches. After all, they are needed both for a comfortable pastime and for creating a holistic picture of landscape design. Which model to choose is up to you.

Video: The most unusual benches and benches

Photos of original garden benches