Is there a view? It doesn’t have to be a spectacular, million-dollar view of the mountains or whitecaps (although if it’s there, go for it). What view would you like to gaze upon from your bench? It might be your garden or a charming vignette, like a pool or pond, rose bushes, or flowers in bloom.Location, location, location. Does it get hot where you live? Would a bench in the shade be a welcome respite? Or, do you live in a rainy climate, like the Pacific Northwest? A bench under a roof or tree canopy might provide much-needed shelter during an unexpected sprinkle or storm.Materials and style: Benches don’t have to be perfectly coordinated, but if your house is a distinct architectural style—say, Mid-century modern or Victorian—then the bench design and materials do matter. Something sleek, geometric, and absent of intricate carvings and details would probably go with a modern house, while a Victorian might call for a highly ornamental cast iron bench.What’s underfoot? The ground or surface material can influence the type of bench you place on top of it. A patio with flagstone pavers will be somewhat rough and uneven—making certain types of benches, like those made of metal, unstable and rocky. A pathway, lawn, or area with decomposed granite (DG) as a surface is more casual and will accommodate most informal benches. Also, measure the space and the bench you have in mind before finding out that the bench is too big.
Memorial benches are a nice way to remember someone who has passed away, especially a nature lover or someone who liked to work in a garden. This type of bench can be placed in public, like a park, or in a residential landscape.
