While many regard lawn benches as a ubiquitous and utilitarian outdoor feature, the right bench can make a stylish statement in your outdoor living space. But how do you choose the best bench for your yard?
Here are some of the key factors to consider when shopping for the perfect garden or lawn bench:
A perfectly placed seat can be a valuable reprieve from the elements. If your outdoor living space gets plenty of sun, consider adding a bench where you can sit down and enjoy the shade. Conversely, if rain frequently hinders your outdoor fun, a bench located under an awning or umbrella makes the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors while warm and dry.
On a more mechanical level, the surface below the bench is important to consider as well. For example, do you have flagstones, brick or another type of uneven surface? Certain types of benches can be off-center and uncomfortable unless placed on a perfectly flat surface, while others can adjust to an uneven foundation.
Outdoor benches don’t have to coordinate perfectly with the rest of your outdoor space or backyard decor. However, if you want a bench in a specific architectural style, design and materials matter.
For example, English or French style gardens are the perfect setting for an ornamental cast iron style. A more contemporary yard would call for a sleek, modern style of bench with clean lines and lack of embellishments. The classic wooden bench could work in either context, but whether you add stain or paint color depends on the aesthetic you hope to achieve.
A bench might seem like a simple furnishing, but once you get deeper into the possibilities, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by choices. If you’re interested in finding the perfect bench for your outdoor living space, consider these key factors to guide your decision.
Susan Shuxian Hu has been a dedicated realtor serving in Silicon Valley since 2010. With great passion, outstanding negotiation skills and due diligence, she has helped many buyers and sellers in their real estate needs. Living in West San Jose for more than 14 years, she has broad knowledge in Cupertino, West San Jose, Los Altos and Saratoga. She has enormous patience working with buyers and never tired of showing all possible properties that may fit client’s needs. Clients appreciate her best service to their satisfaction. She specialized in luxurious real estate purchase in Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga and Palo Alto. She also helped friend and past client’s referral working in San Francisco, Foster City and far reached Bay Area.
Susan Shuxian Hu was graduated in East China Normal University in Shanghai with bachelor and master degrees in Bio science. She came to US in 1989 and earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics in Texas A&M University in 1996. After one year of postdoc in Southern Florida University in Tampa, she moved back to Orlando with her family and started working in Lucent Technologies. In 2002, Susan moved to California, Silicon Valley joined a start-up company. Since then she worked in high tech Corporation till 2009. Driven by her dream job pursuing, she found her passion working in sales by helping people in real estate after one year of education in De Anza business and real estate law study. Since then, she has been serving many people in Bay Area for their real estate needs.
With bilingual advantage, she has been actively working with Chinese immigrants as well as local engineers and residents. With rich high tech background and connection with Chinese community, Susan has served in luxurious real estate in last a couple of years.