6/10

Garden Bench Splurge

Birds nested in the upright supports add a light touch to this heavy cast stone bench. Cast stone benches are typically the most expensive, but they offer timeless beauty other types cannot. Once you put these benches in place, they don’t move.

7/10

Classic Wood Garden Bench

Made of weather-resistant eucalyptus, this Lutyens garden bench features an arched back and scrolled arms. One Plow & Hearth reviewer writes she loves the way this bench folds up, and her husband assembled it with no problem.

Wood benches — generally teak, acacia, eucalyptus and hardwoods — are beautiful but require periodic sanding and refinishing. Wood won’t feel too hot in the scorching sun or too cold in winter, so it’s good for sitting. Wood absorbs moisture, so after a downpour they don’t wipe dry as easily as a metal bench.