10 Best Outdoor Benches and Buying Guide
Top Rated Outdoor Benches
Outdoor Benches Buyers Guide
Everyone needs a piece of good outdoor furniture where they can relax, read a book, or meditate during the summer. An outdoor bench is perfect for spending time outdoors during summer. When deciding on an outdoor bench to purchase, it is essential to take proper time and consideration. The type of bench you choose is vital since it ensures durability and reliability. This article will guide you in selecting an outdoor bench that best suits your space.
Why You Should Purchase an Outdoor Bench
An outdoor bench encourages you to go outside, allowing you to soak in the beautiful gift from mother nature. Keeping outdoor benches along the road reduces stress for pedestrians and can improve the lives of the elderly. Outdoor benches are your best bet for increasing socialization.
Aside from providing comfort, these benches also add life to your surroundings. An outdoor bench enhances and complements your home. They enable you to transform your garden area into the ideal place for entertainment.
Factors to Watch Out for Before Purchasing an Outdoor Bench
In this section, we will outline certain factors we should put into consideration before buying an outdoor bench.
1. What Purpose Will the Outdoor Bench Serve?
Outdoor benches can be used for various purposes; often, they serve as a garden, homes, parks, roadside, or bus stop benches. You should figure out what purpose you want your outdoor bench to serve, as this helps you determine the type of outdoor bench to purchase.
Park benches
These benches are used to provide a spot for your patrons or customers to relax or sit while they’re waiting for someone. For this reason, pack benches are used in and out of season; they aren’t removed for the sake of bad weather conditions. Interestingly, most of these park benches are inbuilt.
So, if you intend on purchasing an outdoor bench for your space, then you have to look out for the following features;
- Waterproof
- Rust-resistant
- Corrosion-resistant
- PVC coated
- Fade-proof
- Rot-resistant.
Garden benches
If you intend to get benches for your garden, make sure they are portable. Because these benches are primarily for your family’s comfort, they should not be left outside all year. For this reason, you should consider if you have storage space for them during inclement weather.
A lightweight bench is ideal for easy mobility. Furthermore, foldable benches are preferable since they are lighter than non-foldable benches. You could also consider a plastic bench, but ensure you have enough space to store it when not in use.
Roadside or bus stop benches
These benches are designed to provide a comfortable spot for the public or travelers to sit on. A sturdy bench should be a top priority for roadside and bus stop benches because they should accommodate people of various sizes.
Furthermore, these benches, like park benches, will be used throughout the year. As a result, you should ensure that it is waterproof, rot-resistant, rust-resistant, etc.
2. The Aesthetic Feature of the Outdoor Bench
The design of an outdoor bench is another factor to consider before purchasing one. Here are some of the designs outdoor benches come in
- Straight bench
This type of outdoor bench has a very simple design. It usually comes with a straight back and armrest. This outdoor bench is usually made of wood and is excellent for garden and backyard benches.
- Curved bench
Outdoor benches with curved backs and armrests are great for intimate outdoor conversations. This type of design can fit perfectly into any decor. They come in different types of materials, including wood, metal, plastic, etc.
- Lutyens bench
Lutyens bench is considered one of the unique designs for benches. It is usually minimal in size, making it great for saving space in your outdoor area. It also adds a beautiful touch to your garden, backyards, and so on.
- Sofa bench
Benches with sofas are great at enhancing comfort. Without a doubt, they are a lot more comfortable to use compared to wooden, metal, and plastic surfaces. They are great for outdoor lounges, homes, and office balconies.
Sofa benches add a luxurious feel to your outdoor space. However, they shouldn’t be used in parks and other outdoor areas since they can easily get damaged by kids and animals.
- Storage bench
Outdoor benches with extra storage space are great if you are trying to manage space. They can be used in gardens to store your equipment. Most of these benches come in a very fashionable design that the storage space almost goes unnoticed.
- Backless bench
These benches can be used anywhere. They are great for roads, parks, gardens, and even homes. However, they might seem uncomfortable since they come without a backrest. Nevertheless, this is unnoticed unless used for a long time. Their backless design makes them versatile as they can be placed anywhere in your outdoor space.
- Foldable Outdoor Bench
Foldable outdoor benches are perfect for homes and places that require space management. The good thing about foldable outdoor benches is that they are easily removed when harsh weather conditions come knocking. Storing these benches is a breeze.
- Companion bench
Companion benches are designed to accommodate only two persons; they come in small sizes. These benches are perfect for gardens, outdoor lounges, and parks.
3. What Qualities Should I Look Out For?
Quality is essential when it comes to benches. Knowing these qualities ensures you purchase an outdoor bench that is durable and strong. Here are some of the qualities to watch out for;
- Easy to care for
Waterproof, rust-resistant, and corrosion benches are usually easier to care for. This is required especially for commercial outdoor benches that will be placed in parks and roadsides. Generally, metal benches are easier to care for as they require low maintenance.
- How durable is the outdoor bench?
Getting a bench that would last for a long time is super important. You wouldn’t want to repurchase another bench due to spoilage within a short period. Outdoor benches are kept outside; hence they are exposed to harsh weather conditions like rainfall and extreme sunlight. Hence it is important to purchase a durable outdoor bench. You should look out for non-fading, sturdy benches and well-balanced legs.
- Ergonomic structure
Getting an outdoor bench that is healthy is super important. When purchasing an outdoor bench, ensure it has an ergonomic design. This will improve your sitting posture and relieve back and neck pain when necessary.
- Weightiness
Lightweight benches are preferred for gardens, homes, and restaurants. However, heavier outdoor benches can be used for parks, roadside, and bus stop benches since they are not moved frequently.
- Comfort
Why else would you buy an outdoor bench if your comfort is not guaranteed? Regarding outdoor furniture, comfort should be one of your first considerations – whether you purchase it for personal or business use. You should be aware that some materials are more comfortable, especially when sitting for long periods. Cushion benches are preferable for sitting for extended periods. You may also consider benches with backrests and armrests.
4. What Size Is Perfect For Your Space?
Your available space where your bench will be placed goes a long way to determine what type of bench you buy. First, you have to look out for the measurement of the bench and ensure it works best for your space. Most benches are small, and others are large; whichever bench you choose, ensure it is a perfect fit for your space.
A standard outdoor bench should typically be about 45 inches long and 18-20 inches high. Also, ensure you have enough room to walk around comfortably after the bench is installed.
5. What Style Works Best – Commercial or Residential?
Outdoor benches come in commercial and residential styles. You’ll need commercial benches in restaurants, outdoor lounges, gardens, and parks. Commercial benches are usually required to be sturdier compared to residential outdoor benches. They are usually made of metals and plastics to ensure their sturdiness and durability.
Most commercial benches can accommodate up to four persons. And they are designed with an armrest and backrest, which guarantees optimum comfort.
On the other hand, residential outdoor benches are perfect for a house’s outdoor space. They are typically designed for homes. They can be placed in the garden, backyard, balcony, and poolside of a house. Usually, these benches are made of plastic, metal, and wood. While some are designed with a backrest and armrest, others are not.
Conclusion
Outdoor benches are perfect for parks, backyards, patios, gardens, and so on. Are you thinking of purchasing an outdoor bench? With our listed factors, you definitely won’t go wrong. A few things to keep in mind when purchasing an outdoor bench are your comfort, space, weight, and the need it meets. Also, you have to consider which aesthetic feature and style best suits your space.
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