7 Best Outdoor Benches to Accent Your Outdoor Space (2026)

Skip to main contentThe Best Outdoor Benches for Patios, Porches, Gardens, and BeyondNot a lounge chair, not yet a sofa, these in-between seats are a versatile option for backyards of all sizesThe outdoor dining space of this Long Island getaway by design firm Sawyer|Berson features teak tables and benches by Design Within Reach.Photo: Nikolas KoenigIf you ask us, the garden bench deserves a promotion. Quite possibly the most versatile furniture you can use to anchor a backyard, the best outdoor benches earn their keep in countless ways. Station a bench at your outdoor dining table in place of a few dining chairs, and suddenly dinner feels more intimate. If you spend hours on end pruning tomatoes, nestling one among your vines gives you a front row seat to admire your garden. Even the smallest patio can benefit from a bench, offering flexible seating without the bulk of a loveseat.Their style repertoire is equally wide-ranging, spanning everything from backless rattan designs to teak silhouettes with swooping arms, plush cushions, and graceful arches. Below, we’ve rounded up seven outdoor benches that prove this backyard workhouse has more than earned its raise.Our Top PicksA Modern WeaveHAY Palissade Cord Dining BenchRead moreFor French Country CharmSerena & Lily Riviera Étoile BenchRead moreBest for Tiny PatiosWest Elm Andalusia Indoor/Outdoor Woven BenchRead moreA Modern WeaveHAY Palissade Cord Dining BenchWhile Hay technically classifies this piece as a dining bench within its popular Palissade collection, we think it possesses enough main character energy to play a starring role in your outdoor seating scheme. The woven backrest softens the collection’s signature silhouette, making it just as inviting for long summer reads as alfresco dinners. If you’re designating it as a garden bench, the olive finish blends in nicely with the surrounding greenery, while cream, charcoal, and rust weave in unexpected contrast.For French Country CharmSerena & Lily Riviera Étoile BenchAs its name would suggest, the Riviera Étoile bench is Euro-presenting, pairing a bamboo frame with woven wicker reminiscent of classic French-bistro seating. While a view of the Seine or world-class croissants aren’t included with purchase, this airy bench brings sophistication (a certain je ne sais quoi even) to your outdoor area in one fell swoop, thanks to its neutral colorway and easy-to-style presence.Best for Tiny PatiosWest Elm Andalusia Indoor/Outdoor Woven BenchHandwoven wicker appears effortlessly draped across the seat of the Andalusia bench from West Elm, contrasted by slim wrought iron legs for a rustic touch. It’s the kind of piece we’d tuck right near the back door as a spot to reapply sunscreen or adjust your garden hat. Love the look? The Andalusia collection extends to lots of other enviable indoor/outdoor furniture and accessories including lounge chairs, dining chairs, and a coffee table for a cohesive outdoor setup.For Roses and RomanceKathy Kuo Home Daria Arbor Garden BenchIn your fair backyard where we lay our scene, the Daria French Country Arbor Bench makes a bold statement with its romantic silhouette and vintage-inspired look. We envision this arched design enveloped in vibrant foliage to accentuate the scrollwork detailing and fleur-de-lis finials, though it doesn’t need a single climbing rose to become the focal point of your garden.An Elevated Teak PickTerrain Fretwork Teak Garden BenchThis sturdy bench with curved armrests has more charm than some of its more generic-looking teak contemporaries. Geometric fretwork detailing and a warm finish give the silhouette an inviting presence, something you can further emphasize with a collection of cozy outdoor throw pillows and a stylish area rug for an alfresco living room effect.Cushioned For ComfortLuteca Oasis Outdoor BenchFully wrapped in twisted all-weather resin cord, this backless woven bench makes a quiet statement. A removable, quick-drying cushion and weatherproof cover are thoughtful inclusions that many luxury outdoor brands charge extra for. Not an outdoor storage bench by nature, the hollow interior can still discreetly stash baskets of pool towels or gardening tools until you need them.The MVP (Most Versatile Pick)Article Kempel Outdoor BenchDon’t doubt the value of a trusty wooden bench. Article’s Kempel bench is universally flattering for almost any outdoor style with its classic look and sturdy acacia wood build. Use a couple to create a varied seating arrangement around your outdoor dining table, bring some flair to the exteriors of a tool shed, or let it welcome guests on the front porch. You’ll never quite settle on one home for it–and that’s exactly the point. Bonus: Our MVP also happens to be our budget pick.Audrey is the shopping editor at Architectural Digest based in New York City. She enjoys recommending products, writing about interiors, and catching up on last year’s Oscar-nominated films. Before joining AD she previously held roles at Business Insider and The Strategist. ... 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