Why Choose a Backless Wood Bench over Other Seating Types

A backless wood bench offers several advantages over other types of outdoor seating. If you need an additional seating area in your garden, terrace or patio, a wooden bench is most certainly worth considering. Below are the top four reasons to pick this kind of bench over the other types.

Space saving. Backless benches are intended for people to sit closer. As a result, you can create enough seating space for three in the very same area that normally has enough room for two chairs. Chairs may be more convenient and comfortable; however, if you are tight on space, you have to make some sacrifices. Still, this does not mean that you have to sacrifice comfort. On the contrary, carefully selection can make you find one that is as cozy and appealing as chairs.

Durable and sturdy. In contrary to chairs that are frequently moved, wood benches are usually permanently mounted to the ground and are meant to be left in place. As a result, they are less vulnerable to the effects of wear and tear despite the fact that they usually accommodate three to four people at the same time. The more that they are resistant to wear and tear, the longer they will look and feel good.

Stylish. Empty chairs look kind of sad no matter how beautifully they are made. Benches, on the other hand, look highly decorative even when no one is using them, creating a sort of inviting atmosphere. They also blend perfectly with the natural surroundings, especially if they are made from natural material. This makes them an indispensable feature in gardens where they have both practical and decorative value.

Cost-effective. A fine backless bench is never inexpensive, although you can create a seating space for more people with the same amount of money by using benches instead of chairs. For the cost of two sturdy, industrial strength chairs, you can easily get a high quality, commercial grade park bench for three. Check out these examples.

• Deluxe Sauna Bench by All Things Cedar. This is a free standing deluxe cedar bench that comes with a lower shelf for your storage needs. Ideal for a shower room, sauna or by the pool, this bench is made with clear Western Red Cedar with routed edges, sandy finish and zinc plated hardware.

• Cambridge 2-Seater Backless Bench by Anderson Teak. Unlike the typical benches and chairs with backs, the lowest point of this seat’s curve is directly in the center, allowing you to face either way. It is made with kiln dried first grade plantation grown teakwood with marine grade brass and stainless steel fittings.

Savannah Backless 4ft Bench by Arbora Teak. Made using Grade A solid plantation teak from Indonesia, this bench is the perfect addition to your patio or as substitute to a dining chair when used with a dining table. It features solid brass hardware and an ergonomic design for comfortable seating.

Building Your Own Rustic Backless Wood Patio Bench

The rough, rustic qualities in natural bark-covered logs and branches and rough-hewn wood inspire creativity in furniture-making. Whether you are a novice or an expert woodworker and furniture craftsman, creating rustic work produces unique items. Rustic furniture makes attractive garden accessories or eclectic pieces for a contemporary interior. Turn a bulky log into a sturdy, attractive backless wood patio bench with a few tools and some spare over a long weekend.

1. Tear the log in half with a rip saw, and cut one piece down to 3 feet long. Optionally, have this done at a lumber yard.

2. Sand the slab with a power sander, using 80-grit, then 100, 120, up to 200-grit sand paper. Finish sanding by hand with the 320-grit paper, bringing out the natural beauty and grain of the wood.

3. Shape the edges of the sanded slat with a  draw knife. Soften and smooth the edges, working with the grain of the wood, not cutting against it.

4. Cut the ash or sapling tree into 4 pieces that are 20 inches long.

5. Use the draw knife and woodworking chisel to trim one end of each leg into a 1 ½-inch spindle, a tapered end to insert into routed holes that you will drill.

6. Turn the slab onto the side that will be the bottom, and measure and mark 3 inches in from each side to place the legs.

7. Use the power drill and router bit to drill a 2 ½-inch depression for the legs to fit into at each leg mark on the slab.

8. Cover the spindle ends of the legs with carpenter’s glue and insert them into the leg holes. Tap them with the rubber mallet for a tight fit. Allow the glue to dry for a day.

9. Apply tung oil if the bench is for outdoor use or a light varnish for indoor use and let dry thoroughly.

If you do not consider yourself a handyman or a DIY-er, then just buy yourself a rustic bench. There are so many rustic-inspired benches online that should fit your budget. Check out these examples.

Mason 3-Seater Backless Bench by Anderson Teak

Unlike most benches with backs, the lowest point of the curve of the Mason 3-Seater Backless Bench by Anderson Teak is directly in the center, allowing you face in either way. This bench can also be used for seating at a rectangular table area. Add a planter box or two for a farming, nestled effect.

Deluxe Sauna Bench by All Things Cedar

The Deluxe Sauna Bench by All Things Cedar is a free standing deluxe cedar bench with handy lower shelf for the shower room, sauna or by the pool side. It is made from clear Western Red Cedar with routed edges and a sanded finish, finished with zinc plated hardware.

European Café Folding Coffee Table/Bench by Furniture Designhouse

A well-crafted and unique folding bench, the European Café Folding Coffee Table/Bench by Furniture Designhouse was designed and hand-forged by Old World artisans. The drawn steel frames are treated for rust-resistance, and finished with scratch resistant exterior furniture grade powder coating.

How to Find Modern Patio Furniture Clearance Online

Shopping for modern patio furniture clearance these days is much different than it was years ago. With the internet so readily available, it is much easier to shop for and compare furniture prices online. Below are some helpful information on how to find the best online furniture websites.

1. Search by brand name. If you love EuroStyle furniture, you may want to do an internet search for dealers that sell EuroStyle products. And under EuroStyle subtitle, you may want to look for specific lines Gazelle Love Seat by EuroStyle. If you are not looking for a specific furniture line, other popular furniture brands include Ashley Furniture, Thomasville and Baker.

2. Search by style. Do you love modern furniture or is traditional like the Solid Teak Round Five Pieces Dining Set by Arbora Teak more your style. You can also search by product type. For example, if you are searching for a bistro set like the Asti Mosaic Bistro Set by Alfresco Home, you can do a search for “dinette set” or “round outdoor table.” The more specific your keyword search is, the better your results will be.

3. Check out the delivery and shipping fees. Even when you buy furniture from a big retail store, it is hard to get around the delivery fees. Expect to pay even more if you order your furniture online. Some online furniture sites even charge delivery and processing fees, making the delivery cost upwards of several hundred dollars. Check using your zip code to see exactly what the shipping costs will be. The shipping costs can usually be the deal breaker when deciding between two furniture websites.

4. Check the return policy. It is not easy to return furniture, but it is sometimes a must. Only deal with sites that offer a fair return policy. If an item arrives damaged, a reputable site will send a delivery truck out to pick it up and send you a replacement free of charge. It should not cost you anything to return a damaged piece of furniture. If you want to return an item because you do not like it, you will likely have to pay to send it back. It is always worth a phone call or an email to customer service to plead your case.

5. Make sure the site seems trustworthy. Ensure that the site seems trustworthy. There are many mom and pop type furniture websites, and most of them offer great customer service, but always be careful when making such a major purchase online. Look for the Better Business Bureau symbol on smaller furniture websites, and ensure it is a secure site if you are giving out your credit card information online.

Compare prices before you put your order. You can often find the same furniture brands at multiple stores and the prices can vary by hundreds of dollars. Most importantly, only deal with reputable sites when using your credit card online. If the site looks unprofessional, shop somewhere else.

Modern Wood Patio Furniture: Chair Decorations for Outdoor Weddings

A wedding is one of the most important days in the life of any couple. As the start of their lives together, this day should be perfect, from the decorations to the meals. If you are planning to say “I Do” outside among Mother Nature’s creations, coordinate your widen chairs with the earthy theme. You can go with a few choices from floral decorations that seamlessly flow with the surroundings to fanciful fabrics that add a bright touch of color to your outdoor location. Whatever decoration you choose for these modern wood patio furniture pieces, these options should easily coordinate with your wedding colors, giving your outdoor wedding a cohesive appearance.

Paris Chair Cover

A Paris chair cover is made from a draped piece of shiny cloth and tied in a simple knot behind a simple chair like the Bar Chair by Royal Teak Collection. This chair cover creates simple elegance using a single color. Paris chair covers add a touch of class in brightly or dimly lit settings like wedding reception or banquet halls. Some wedding receptions include Paris chair covers in a pattern of alternating or grouped colors. For instance, you can decorate a table or section of the tables with the same color chair cover. You can also alternate colors like pink and white around each table. In a hotel ballroom, you can inexpensively rent chair covers to cover hard or upholstered chairs that do not match your color scheme.

Chair Caps

A chair cap is an alternative to the full chair cover. Any chair, like the Chelsea Dining Chair by Anderson Teak, is decorated on the upper half only as the chair cap slides neatly into the back rest. The chair cap is an essential covering for venues where folding chairs are included in the rental. Chair caps cost considerably less per cover, and you can quickly sew them on a standard dewing machine. Compare the cost of buying your own wholesale material and sewing quick chair covers versus the cost of renting chair covers in a color that matches your napkins and tablecloths.

Bands, Sashes and Ties

Bands, sashes and ties make beautiful coverings for bare chairs and even chairs with full or partial covers. This approach does not require rentals or sewing; buy your favorite ribbon, netting or fabric, or use recycled materials. Tie a bow, sash or band around the center backs of the chairs. For instance, you can buy a roll of wholesale organdy material at a fabric market, cut the cloth into lengths, and tie the material around chair backs. This strategy dresses up folding chairs like the Java Teak Outdoor Furniture Dining Folding Chair by All Things Cedar as well as chairs for which you have rented or created full or partial covers. For outdoor weddings, bands, sashes and ties are inexpensive enough to be discarded if the chairs are soaked with rain.

How to Paint Your Old Patio Garden Bench

Repainting an old patio garden bench add new life to your garden. Whether you are looking to simply repaint it the same color because it has faded or peeled; or you are looking to dramatically change the appearance of your bench, choosing the right paint for the project is pivotal in making sure it will last.

When choosing the paint for this project, you need a high quality exterior paint that is acceptable for wood. Exterior paints have properties that interior paints do not have, and vice versa. These paints are made to resist fading, be in direct sunlight and also have additives like pesticides that may prevent pests, molds, mildew or other outdoor problems. Not all exterior paints are acceptable for wood; a paint store professional can help you choose the right paint for this project. In most cases, exterior house paint will do the trick.

Solid color stains are somewhere between the finish of a regular stain and paint. They are not semitransparent like most stains, although they may still show some of the grains in your wood. Solid-colored wood stains are designed to highlight the natural beauty of your wood while giving a solid, smooth finish. Solid-color stains also come in various colors, just like stains. You can match a color in most cases as you would do a paint color.

When planning to stain or paint your old wooden bench, preparation can make or break your project. Rinse off your bench with a hose; a pressure washer should do wonders if you have access to one. After rinsing, scrape off any peeling paint them follow with sanding your bench down to a smooth finish. Sanding will remove any of the old paint you could not remove by rinsing or scraping. Wipe the bench down to remove any sawdust and leftover debris. If you are painting and not using a solid-color stain, apply an exterior primer designed for wood.

One of the most beneficial aspects of repainting an old piece of furniture is that the possibilities are almost endless. You can choose more than one complementary color for the bench and the sides. You can apply a faux finish to create a crackled effect. As long as you have purchased an exterior paint designed for wood, you can create a masterpiece for your outdoor living area.

But if think that your bench is really in dire need of replacement, consider just buying a new one. Here are some great wooden benches to choose from:

6-Ft Cedar Tab Back Bench by Creekvine Designs

The 6-Ft Cedar Tab Back Bench by Creekvine Designs has a simplistic, comfortable design to grace any garden. Featuring an incredibly versatile tab back, it can be pulled up to a patio table for outdoor dining seating, or set out on the porch for social gatherings.

50-inch Round Rose Bench by Anderson Teak

With its beautiful rose carving, the 50-inch Round Rose Bench by Anderson Teak. This 2-seater round back bench will shine in the porch or patio of your home. It has a versatile color so it will match any outdoor décor scheme.

Kitana Bench by Jordan Manufacturing Company

The Kitana Bench by Jordan Manufacturing Company is an outdoor bench with straight slats for the back and seat. Made of Eucalyptus wood, it is perfect for outdoor relaxation. It has a natural oil base finish that makes it easy to maintain.

How to Care for an Aluminum Patio Back Bench

An aluminum patio back bench is the perfect complement to your outdoor décor. It is durable, lightweight and, when properly maintained, can last a lifetime. There are two types of aluminum furniture: solid cast aluminum and aluminum tube-based furniture. This type of furniture fares well in many different weather conditions and is very easy to clean. There are so many styles and textures to choose from, so the options are limitless. Here are some fine examples from world-renowned brand Alfresco Home.

Daffodil Cast Aluminum Outdoor Bench by Alfresco Home

The Daffodil Cast Aluminum Outdoor Bench by Alfresco Home features cast aluminum frame with weather resistant powder coat paint blacksmith finish and slightly contoured seat for comfort. It comes with a light contour for comfort, with some assembly required.

Ramblas Cast Aluminum Outdoor Bench by Alfresco Home

Featuring a cast aluminum frame with powder coated weather resistant paint finish, the Ramblas Cast Aluminum Outdoor Bench by Alfresco Home cleans easily. To extend the life, cover when not in use or store in an enclosed are during harsh winter months.

Wisteria Cast Aluminum Outdoor Bench by Alfresco Home

Made with a Brown Sugar finish, the Wisteria Cast Aluminum Outdoor Bench by Alfresco Home is made with a cast aluminum frame with weather resistant powder coat paint finish. This bench cleans and maintains easily, and can last longer with proper care.

For you to enjoy your aluminum benches for a longer period of time, and for the benches to grace your home for years, proper cleaning and maintenance is key. Read on and know the proper ways and steps in cleaning your aluminum bench, as well as any other outdoor furniture made of aluminum.

1. Remove the cushions from your aluminum bench, if it has any. Spray it down with water, then scrub away any leftover soil with a sponge or scrub dish. Lay the cushions out in the sun to dry.

2. Spray your aluminum bench with an all-purpose cleaner that contains no bleach or oil. Using a sponge or soft cloth, wipe it down until all the dirt has been removed. Rinse the leftover dirt and cleaner off thoroughly with a hose.

3. Buff away any scruff marks from your aluminum furniture with a non-abrasive cleaner. Use a soft cloth to evenly distribute the cleaner, rubbing it in circular motions. Continue buffing the aluminum until the entire scruff mark has disappeared, then rinse the furniture with a hose.

4. Polish a rough, pitted aluminum furniture with steel wool. Apply a small amount of dish soap to the steel wool and rub the rough aluminum until it becomes smooth. Be sure to remove any leftover pieces of steel wool from your furniture, because they can cause stains and rust.

5. Apply a coat of wax to your aluminum furniture once a year for long-lasting protection. Auto wax, silicone spray or baby oil to will keep your furniture looking its best. This protective coating also prevents pitting and corrosion of the aluminum.