Antique Garden Benches

Tara Gosselin Interior Design Expert

Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.

Updated 15/05/2021

Contemplate the meaning of life and enjoy the loveliness of your garden in the middle of a beautiful spring day while sitting on one of these antique garden benches. These handsome additions to any garden will compliment your style and give you a safe and sturdy place to sit. Look at this collection for more.

Buying Guide

Adding some character to your garden can be done easily. One of the ways you can enhance the appearance of your garden is to buy an antique bench. There are various types of antique benches which have been passed down through the years. You can buy an antique bench or you can purchase furniture which is a replica of antique furniture. When purchasing genuine antique furniture, here are the most popular designs which are available.

What are the different designs of antique wooden benches?

Antique wooden benches come in various designs that you can buy for your garden:

Old and rustic: For something which looks very authentic and antique, you can consider an old and rustic look. You should be careful that you don't buy a wooden bench which is going to break, since many old items made from wood might not be sturdy and secure enough for the garden. If you don't look after old wooden furniture properly, they could end up being severely damaged outdoors in bad weather.
Upcycled wood: For something which looks like you've given it a new lease of life, consider a wooden garden bench which has been upcycled. You can paint it with different colors of paint to add some color to your garden. You should use chalk paint which is suitable for old wooden benches in order to avoid damage.
Strong oak wood: A chunky oak design for a garden benches will instantly help your garden to look vintage and antique if this is the look you're going for. Although these items are old, they have an incredibly strong and durable frame.

What are the most durable materials for garden benches?

If you want a more durable alternative to wood, there are many antique garden benches created from iron and other metals.

Cast iron: One of the strongest materials around when it comes to benches, a cast iron bench can often be seen with intricate details around either side to add some antique character to your garden. These strong benches are normally long enough to fit three people, and are very elegant.
Steel: Another strong alternative for your garden bench, steel was used often to make furniture due to its robust characteristics. Steel garden benches often feature an arched back for extra comfort, designs including swirls and decorative leaves, and enough space to add cushions or blankets.

What are the pros and cons of concrete garden benches?

A very heavy style of antique garden bench, the concrete benches that you may find are suitable for most gardens. They take up more space than some wooden and metal benches, but often have the advantage of fitting up to four people rather than three.

Concrete garden benches often have some decorative designs around the sides and above the top of the bench, to give your garden the antique feel that you may be looking for.

While you can find furniture which is part concrete and part wood, if the bench is fully concrete you should consider large cushions and other accessories to provide comfort while sitting outdoors.