Log Benches
Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.
Still a popular idea, log benches are a staple in most rural landscapes and meeting areas. While they might not be all that comfortable, they are sturdy, and can handle any weight put on them. Available in several ethically sourced wood options, these log benches will give your home a rustic look, and perhaps a new conversation starter. Check out the collection for styles.
Our Picks
Lacquered Outdoor Half Log Wood Bench
Loon Peak®
This half log wood bench is the perfect seating solution for a rustic mountain lodgestyle outdoor space. Made from solid lodgepole pine, it has a durable build and finish and can support heavy weights. Like a work of art, each piece has been carefully handcrafted and proudly signed by the artisan who made it.
Designer Advice:
Log benches are a durable and eco-friendly solution to outdoor seating. A celebration of nature, log benches blend seamlessly into a garden or patio to create an attractive, rustic look. What’s more, if you’re short on outdoor space, they are a great space-saving tool; instead of trying to squeeze four bulky outdoor chairs into your patio, a bench fits multiple people onto it and takes up very little square footage.
Teak, pine, ipe and cedar are some of the best types of wood for outdoor benches as they are strong and long-lasting. For a comfortable sitting height, make sure the seat is around 45cm above ground level.
Outdoor Solid Wood Bench
Foundry Select
Handcrafted from a pine lodgepole, this five foot long log bench has been made with an attentive eye towards style and detail. The logs have been stripped of their outer bark to expose the appealing texture and contrasting tones of the inner, cambium layer. They were then professionally spray finished with premium-grade exterior stain, ready to withstand the elements.
Cedar Root Stump Bench
Millwood Pines
A truly unique design, these cedar root stump benches are the left-over product of the logging, reclaimed prior to re-planting. They are handmade and carved by skilled artisans to accentuate the natural shapes, patterns and characters of the tree. The wood has been scored and rubbed to create a naturally distressed finish to suit your mountain vista-inspired outdoor space. As well as a place to perch, the bench can be used as a small table or foot rest.
Half Log Wood Bench
Loon Peak®
Reminiscent of the Grand Lodges of the Rocky Mountains, this half log bench has been handcrafted with a lodgepole pine log and four sturdy legs to provide support. The bench’s medium brown finish in a rich hue gives it a striking appearance, perfect for anyone looking to accessorize their home with stylish, environmentally-friendly furniture. Place it in the entranceway to greet visitors with a place to perch whilst they take off their shoes and set the scene for your rustic scheme.
Designer Advice:
Bring the outdoors in with an indoor log bench. Natural wood furniture, with its organic shape, warm tones and unique texture creates a rustic and cozy look, suitable for a variety of interior schemes from log cabins to country farmhouse, or even suburban.
With a variety of styles, shades, and finishes available, a log bench can look good in any room. Put it in the hallway for people to perch on whilst they take off their shoes, or at the end of the bed as a rustic alternative to your usual upholstered bedroom bench; it can also be a fun and easy-to-clean seating alternative for the kitchen table, especially for a full house.
Rustic Log Bench
Celebrate nature with masterfully crafted, one-of-a-kind furniture. Handcrafted using traditional joinery methods, this masterpiece is guaranteed to last you a lifetime. The lacquer coating gives it a smooth, snag-free finish that is easy to wipe clean, whilst the unrefined, bark-on log legs give it a unique, organic touch. This is the perfect piece for a rustic style kitchen with a long rectangular table.
Eco Friendly Aspen Wood Log Bench
Mountain Woods Furniture
Live greener with this rustic, eco-friendly log bench. Handcrafted with aspen wood, it has been sanded down and beautifully finished with beeswax and linseed oil to maximize it’s natural beauty and lifespan. The perfect addition to a mountain lodge, wood cabin or country cottage, place it at the foot of your bed for a touch of functional rustic charm.
Two Person Log Bench with Back
Montana Woodworks
Sit back and relax with a special companion in this two person log bench with backrest. It provides the perfect spot to comfortably catch up on the day’s events whilst admiring the green rolling countryside views and its beautiful wildlife. Made by traditional craftsmen using time honoured construction methods with a skip peel finish, this lodgepole pine log bench is guaranteed to last for generations to come.
Designer Advice:
Log benches with back support are a good option if you intend to spend long periods of time sitting on the bench, admiring the wonders of nature, or reading a book in the sun with the sweet sound of birdsong.
The back support can either be built into the log bench or it can be added as a separate piece. Make sure to allow for 15 to 20 inches of depth for a comfortable sitting experience, any deeper and it may be uncomfortable to sit on.
Half Log Bench with Back and Arms
Union Rustic
Blending classic rustic style with a modern chic aesthetic, this half log bench is the perfect addition to your garden or patio. Hand-crafted and finished with a skip peel technique using old-fashioned draw knives, each bench is truly unique. Plus, the additional back support and arms make this bench as comfortable as it is sturdy.
Stained Log Bench for Two
Loon Peak®
Enjoy your garden in comfort with this stained log bench. Made of solid pine wood, it’s striking design makes it a multifunctional item, doubling up as outdoor seating and a decorative focal point that draws your eye down the garden. Simply add a cushion and some blankets for added comfort and a chic garden look.
White Cedar Log Bench for Fire Pit
Loon Peak®
Complete your rustic, mountain lodge garden look with this hand-crafted log bench. Constructed by skilled Amish craftsmen using the classic mortise and tenon joinery method, the design is sturdy and durable and is guaranteed to last generations. Place it next to the fire pit to enjoy a cozy and comfortable evening under the stars.
Designer Advice:
Log benches are an organic and rustic seating solution for a fire pit, providing your guests with a comfortable set-up to enjoy a long, leisurely and memorable evening. Pad the benches with cushions and throws for added comfort and warmth.
If your fire pit is wood burning, make sure to place the log bench at least 30 inches away from the edge of the fire pit. For gas fire pits, the bench can be placed closer, around 24 inches, as they are usually not as hot as the wood-burners.
Curved Backless Log Fire Pit Bench
kdgarden
The unique curved log bench has been specially designed to curl around a fire pit centrepiece. Made of durable cedar/fir wood, the bench ensures years of maintenance-free use and weather resistance. Choose whether to paint it, stain it or leave it unfinished, to match the rest of your garden decor.
Log Bench with Back Support for Fire Pit
Union Rustic
This log bench with a backrest is guaranteed to give you hours of comfortable sitting by the fire pit. Hand-crafted from lodgepole pine the bench has been finished with an eight-step, professional spraying process that applies stain and lacquer for a beautiful, long-lasting finish.
Buying Guide
Log-benches are unique pieces of garden furniture that provide a distinct style and quality in comparison to the average bench. If you are unsure of how to buy a log bench, here are a few suggestions to help you out.
What are the most popular styles of log benches?
The assumption is that you want your log-bench to be aesthetically pleasing; that’s good news because there are so many elegant and sophisticated designs to choose from, so many in fact that it’s impossible to mention all of them, but here are a few to give you an idea of what’s available on the market:
- Straight: The straight log bench is available in all shapes and sizes, there is nothing fancy about it, it's appealing and practical and looks good in any well-maintained garden.
- Curved: Curved log benches come in two styles, the classic look with a curved backrest, or a bench where the back and arms are completely curved. A curved bench provides an intimate feel to a garden.
- Storage log bench: If you are wondering what a storage log bench looks like; imagine a storage sofa, one where the seat lifts up, and there is a space underneath. The same concept applies to a storage log-bench. If you don’t have a garden shed, you can store your garden tools in this spacious compartment.
- Companion seats: This is an intimate seating arrangement for two people, the log-bench is made into two seats with a table in the middle. Some tables have a hole in the center for an umbrella.
What are the most popular finishes for log benches?
There are log-benches with a natural finish which means they have not had any work done to them after cutting. A painted finish requires a lot of work; the bench has to be sanded down and smoothed out to give the appearance of hardwood. If you are having a bespoke log-bench designed, you can choose how you would like it painted, or you can choose one that has already been painted.
How to select the perfect size log bench?
Log-benches are generally sold by capacity, and you will typically find that there are a few standard sizes. Here are some questions to think about when considering size:
- How much space do you have available in your garden to accommodate a bench?
- Would the space look better with several small benches or one long bench?
- Will you be storing the bench during the winter months? If so you will need to consider storage and transportation arrangements.
- Who will use the bench the most; children or adults?
What are the most popular bench accessories?
Log bench accessories are not essential, but they can provide extra comfort, add to the lifespan of the bench and keep it secure.
- Cushions: Log benches are not soft, and if you are going to spend a long time sitting outside, cushions will provide something comfortable to keep your tush on.
- Bench covers: Although when logs are outside, they are in their natural habitat, you want to protect it from the weather and other outdoor elements so that you and your guests have something nice to sit on.
