Outdoor Benches

Outdoor Benches That Don't Suck (Trust Me, I've Sat on Plenty That Do)

Okay, let me tell you something about outdoor benches. Most of them are terrible. Either they're uncomfortable as hell, or they fall apart after one winter, or they're just plain ugly. I've learned this the hard way.

But when you find a good one? Game changer. Last summer, my neighbor got this gorgeous bench, and I swear I spent more time sitting on it than she did. That's when I realized - we needed to step up our outdoor bench game at HORNE.

What Makes a Bench Actually Worth Buying

So here's the deal. A bench needs to do a few things well:

• Not hurt your butt/back after 10 minutes
• Look good (obviously)
• Actually survive outside (shocking concept, I know)

The brands we carry - Fermob, Cane Line, and Skagerak - they get this. They're not just slapping some wood together and calling it outdoor furniture.

Take Fermob, for instance. These guys are French, so naturally their stuff has that effortless cool factor. Plus their colors are insane - like, literally every shade you can think of. I have the lime green one on my own deck and it makes me smile every single time I see it.

Cane Line is Danish, and they're obsessed with comfort. The Breeze Bench feels like they actually asked real humans what they wanted in outdoor seating. Revolutionary concept, right?

And Skagerak... man, if you're into that whole minimalist thing but still want something that feels warm and inviting, their stuff is perfect. Classic scandinavian bench design that somehow works everywhere - my sister has one inside her entryway and it looks just as good there. The Cutter Bench looks like it belongs in an art museum, but somehow it's also incredibly comfortable.

The Sustainability Thing (Yeah, I Care About This Now)

I used to not really think about where furniture came from. Then I had kids and started worrying about the planet we're leaving them. Turns out, some of these companies actually give a damn about the environment.

Skagerak sources their wood responsibly, which is cool. Plus, when you buy something built this well, you're not throwing it away in a few years. Though honestly, for smaller spaces I've been eyeing this wood small bench option - sometimes you just need something that doesn't dominate the whole deck. Win-win.

Specific Benches I Actually Recommend

Fermob Luxembourg Bench - This thing is bulletproof. We've had ours for three years, it sits outside year-round, and it still looks brand new. Comes in like 20 colors.

Skagerak Georg Bench - Teak. Gets more beautiful with age. Basically the George Clooney of outdoor furniture.

Cane Line Moments Bench - Way more comfortable than that leather bench I had inside for years - though obviously leather's not happening outdoors unless you want it destroyed in one rain storm.

Why Buy From Us Instead of Amazon or Whatever

Look, we're not the cheapest option. But we actually know these products. When I recommend the Georg Bench, it's because I've sat on it. Multiple times. For extended periods. (Sometimes with a book and a beer, if we're being honest.)

We also stand behind what we sell. If something goes wrong, you're not dealing with some random customer service bot. You're dealing with us.

The Bottom Line

Good outdoor furniture is an investment. But it's one of those investments that pays dividends every time you step outside and have a nice place to sit.

Browse our collection. Or don't - it's your patio. But if you do, I think you'll find something that works for your space and your budget. And if you have questions, just ask. We're here to help.

(Seriously though, get a good bench. Your future self will thank you when you're enjoying your morning coffee outside instead of standing there like a weirdo.) My friend actually throws a bench with sheepskin cushion on hers during colder months - makes it usable almost year-round, which is pretty genius.