Painted Benches

Chloe Hughes Interior Design Expert

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.

Updated 01/04/2021

For in the home, in the garden, or on the porch, a painted bench is a lovely way to accent a space, as well as a nice seat to enjoy the day. A bench in a garden is a wonderful place to read a book, or watch hummingbirds drink from a feeder. Maybe put a painted bench by the lake, and witness the wonder of a glorious sunset. Pick yourself one from this collection.

Buying Guide

Are painted benches suitable for use outdoors?

Painted benches are a fantastic choice of furniture for your front porch, back garden, or even to sit by a pond or lake on your property. If your painted bench sits on a covered porch, it might avoid any major exposure to the elements, but otherwise, you’ll need to think about protecting your bench, so it continues looking its best.

When you buy a painted bench intending to leave it outdoors, seek products coated in furniture sealer. Otherwise, it will be necessary to repaint the bench after it sits outside for a few seasons or, at the very least, apply a sealer using a paintbrush.

To avoid having to retouch an outdoor painted bench too frequently, look for products designed to appear distressed. This is a trendy look that offers rustic, French country charm and means that if your bench suffers some wear and tear from the weather, it will be less noticeable.

What colors are best for my painted benches?

Painted benches are a beautiful artistic statement that can come in many colors. To determine which colors you’ll want to go for with your painted bench, consider where you’ll be placing the bench. If it’ll be in the garden, for example, you may wish to go with a neutral, blue, or green hue so it compliments the greenery around it best.

If you’ll be putting your bench in a sunny area, lighter colors are best because they will fade less over time.

Finally, consider the overall pattern and vibe you wish to achieve. If you’re painting your bench to match your wallpaper or similar accents, you won’t have to worry about clashing. If your painted bench will stand out visually because of a bold pattern, pair it with quiet neutrals to avoid overwhelm.