Garden Ideas With a Bench

Under a Tree

• We naturally tend to sit with our backs to a tree, wall or other barrier when possible, which provides feelings of security. Place a bench right under a towering oak or other large tree, and plant shrubs behind the bench, along with flowers and grasses, tapering them outward around the bench to create a partial border. You will love relaxing in this snug, shady nook.

Below a Rock Garden

• If you have a rock garden set on a slope, or another hillside garden, place a bench at the base, preferably in a spot where the hill partly wraps around the bench. Add shrubs on the sides of the bench, along with other plants, to create a distinct space that offers feelings of shelter and comfort.

Meditation Room

• At the end of a long path through rows of flower beds, trees or shrubbery, create a small "room" enclosed by trees, shrubs, or an ivy-covered wall. Be sure that people can't see the entrance to this room from the beginning of the path---rather, let the path meander. Place the bench against the back wall for a quiet meditation spot. Place accents sparingly, and use a modest color palette. For instance, plant white and blue flowers and place an angel, or another spiritual figure, by the entrance.

Bench with a View

• If your backyard overlooks a beautiful vista, take advantage of your vantage point by placing a bench in a prime location for watching the sunrise or sunset, or just gazing out over the land. Create a small patio in that spot and place a table by the bench so you can sip drinks as you enjoy the view.

Bird Watching Spot

• Create a hidden spot where you can watch birds, butterflies, and other wildlife like deer. Tuck the bench into a sheltered spot near a bird feeder or meadow frequented by wildlife, so you can peer through tree branches or high grasses to watch the animals. Create a pathway leading to the spot that doesn't cross through the animals' habitat, making the pathway as hidden and unobtrusive as possible. Decide which types of birds you'd like to see, too, and install a feeder made particularly for them, with the kind of food they eat, as Garden Bird Watcher says.

By a Pond

• Place a bench beside a pond for another type of tranquil retreat. People enjoy lingering by ponds, and you'll want to have a comfortable place to sit and enjoy the calming waters.

Awakening Your Senses

• As Terra Garden says, a garden should awaken all of your senses, not just sight. Placing a bench under a fragrant flowering tree, letting branches grow close enough that they gently brush you as you sit down, or growing edible plants like strawberries beside it will give you a more fulfilling experience.