After a day spent digging, planting, or pruning, there’s nothing better than sinking into a comfortable seat right in your garden. Instead of buying new furniture, you can give old items a fresh purpose and create one-of-a-kind seating that reflects your personality.
These 18 repurposed garden seats show just how creative you can be with materials that might otherwise go to waste.
An old bed frame can turn into a sturdy bench, a couple of pallets can become a cozy sofa, and even a forgotten barrel can be transformed into a rustic garden chair. Each idea is practical, inexpensive, and surprisingly stylish.
With a little effort and imagination, you’ll not only save money but also add unique character to your outdoor space. Scroll through these inspiring projects and see which one you’d love to build for your own backyard retreat.
#1 A Garden Seat Made Out Of A Metal Bed Frame and Recycled Wood
This bench is proof that old furniture can be reborn into something stunning for your garden. By repurposing a vintage metal bed frame and combining it with sturdy reclaimed wood, you get a seat that feels both whimsical and practical.
The ornate swirls of the headboard and footboard add instant charm, making it look like a fairytale resting spot beneath the trees. To build one, cut wooden planks to size, attach them securely across the frame, and sand them smooth for comfort.
A coat of outdoor sealant will help protect the wood from the weather. Place it in a shaded corner and you’ll have a peaceful retreat perfect for reading, sipping tea, or simply admiring your garden.
#2 Bucket Garden Seat
Sometimes the simplest materials make the most practical seats, and these bucket stools prove it. A sturdy plastic bucket doubles as both a storage container and a garden chair when topped with a padded cushion.
You can customize the design with paint, decals, or even family names to make them personal. To create one, just cut a round cushion, cover it with fabric or vinyl, and secure it tightly to the bucket lid.
It’s lightweight, easy to move around, and perfect for outdoor activities like gardening, fishing, or picnics. This little project gives you comfort, function, and personality all in one easy DIY.
#3 Gabion Garden Seat
This gabion garden bench is both strong and stylish, blending raw natural textures with clean design. The base is formed by filling a wire cage with rocks, giving it weight and durability while creating a rustic look.
A simple wooden plank top provides a comfortable surface for sitting, making it practical as well as eye-catching. To build your own, secure a gabion basket, fill it with stones of your choice, and fasten treated wooden boards across the top.
You can adjust the length to fit along a wall, corner, or pathway. The result is a low-maintenance, long-lasting seat that also doubles as a landscape feature.
#4 Old Tire Garden Seat
This clever garden seat shows how old tires can be turned into something fresh and functional. By stacking two tires, painting them in soft colors, and topping them with a cushioned seat, you instantly create a cozy stool.
It’s sturdy enough to use as extra seating outdoors and light enough to move around your patio or garden. To make one yourself, clean and paint the tires in any color that matches your outdoor space.
Then add a round cushion or upholster a piece of plywood with padding to form the top. The result is a fun, eco-friendly piece that proves recycling can be stylish and practical at the same time.
#5 DIY Garden Seat Made From a Flower Pot
This creative idea transforms an oversized flower pot into a stylish garden seat that doubles as a side table. A bold, patterned cushion on top makes it both comfortable and eye-catching.
The height is just right for lounging with a drink or using it as a perch for a quick break in the garden. To recreate it, flip a sturdy ceramic or plastic pot upside down, then secure a padded cushion or upholstered seat to the base.
Choose fabric that can handle outdoor conditions, like canvas or waterproof material, for longer use. It’s a simple, playful project that adds personality and function to your outdoor seating area.
#6 Pallet Sofa
A pallet sofa is the ultimate backyard comfort hack, giving you a cozy retreat with hardly any cost. All you need are a few sturdy pallets stacked together for the base and backrest, then topped with thick cushions for softness.
Add pillows in bold colors to make the space pop and reflect your personality. To build one, sand down the pallets for a smooth finish, secure them together with screws, and arrange them in your desired shape.
Place it in a quiet corner of your garden and you’ll have your own lounge spot to read, nap, or sip a drink. It’s a project that feels rustic yet stylish, and it will quickly become your favorite outdoor hangout.
#7 Old Chair Garden Bench
Give new life to old wooden chairs by turning them into a charming bench for your garden. This project is perfect if you have mismatched or broken chairs lying around that you don’t want to toss.
Simply remove the seats, join the frames side by side, and secure a wooden plank across to create a strong, unified seat. Add a fresh coat of paint in a playful color to brighten up your outdoor area.
It’s a budget-friendly way to build seating while adding a splash of creativity. Place it on your patio or against a garden wall and enjoy a bench that’s as practical as it is eye-catching.
#8 Wine Barrel Garden Bench
An old wine barrel can easily be transformed into a rustic bench that adds instant charm to your garden. By cutting the barrel staves and securing them into a curved seat, you get a comfortable place to relax with a story to tell.
The natural curve of the wood slats makes it both sturdy and stylish, giving your bench a handcrafted feel. You’ll need some basic tools to sand the wood, fit the pieces together, and stabilize the base with extra support beams.
A coat of protective sealant will help the wood withstand outdoor weather. This bench is not only functional but also celebrates the beauty of repurposed materials, making it a true conversation starter.
#9 DIY Cement Garden Seat
This cement block bench is a simple yet modern addition to your garden. With just two sturdy cement blocks and a few wooden planks, you can put together a solid seat in no time.
The clean lines make it versatile enough to blend into any outdoor style, from contemporary patios to casual backyard corners. To recreate this, place the cement blocks as the base, then fit sanded and sealed wood planks across the top.
For extra durability, secure the planks with construction adhesive or screws. It’s a project that balances strength with style, giving you a reliable spot to sit and enjoy your outdoor space.
#10 Upcycled Lawn Chair Made From An Old Chair And A Garden Hose
This clever lawn chair gives a second life to both an old frame and a worn-out hose. Instead of tossing the chair away, weave sections of hose across the seat and back to create a durable and flexible base.
The result is surprisingly comfortable and has a playful, colorful look that brightens up any garden corner. To build your own, cut the hose into equal lengths, thread them through the frame, and secure tightly with screws or heavy-duty zip ties.
Adjust the weaving pattern to make it tighter for extra support. You’ll have a sturdy and unique garden seat that’s both practical and fun to show off.
#11 Cement Block Couch Planter
This garden seat doubles as a planter, making it both stylish and functional. The base is built with stacked cinder blocks, creating a strong structure that won’t budge.
Small openings in the blocks serve as planting pockets where you can tuck in flowers or trailing greenery for a soft touch. Add a long wooden plank across the top for the seat, and finish with bright cushions to bring comfort and personality.
The best part is that you can customize the size easily by adding or removing blocks. Over time, the plants will grow and blend naturally with the bench, turning it into a cozy living seat in your backyard.
#12 A Simple Branch Chair
If you love rustic style, this little branch chair is a project worth trying. It’s built entirely from sturdy logs, giving it a raw, natural beauty that blends easily into any garden.
Cut branches into equal lengths for the seat, then attach them securely to a frame made from thicker limbs. Use nails or wooden dowels to keep everything stable.
You can leave the wood unfinished for a forest feel, or sand and seal it to make it more durable outdoors. This kind of seat feels almost like it belongs in a woodland fairy tale, making your garden even more inviting.
#13 Another Cinder Block Garden Seat
Simple, practical, and cost-friendly, this cinder block bench is perfect for gathering around a fire pit. By stacking blocks in pairs and sliding wooden planks through the openings, you instantly create a sturdy seating spot.
The beauty of this design is how easy it is to customize the length or width depending on your space. You can sand and seal the wooden boards to prevent splinters and keep them weather-resistant.
Adding cushions or outdoor pillows will bring comfort and a touch of personality. It’s a quick DIY idea that transforms a basic material into functional outdoor furniture with almost no effort.
#14 Garden Chair Made From Old Broken Chair And Stump
Here’s a clever way to give new life to broken furniture. This chair combines the seat and backrest of an old wooden chair with a sturdy tree stump base, creating a rustic, one-of-a-kind piece.
It blends beautifully with a natural garden setting, almost as if it sprouted from the ground itself. To make one, just secure the chair top onto a leveled stump with screws or brackets for stability.
A coat of outdoor paint or sealant will help it withstand the weather and add charm. This quirky DIY project turns what might have been firewood and trash into a character-filled garden seat.
#15 Wood Log Garden Seat
Logs make some of the most natural and effortless garden seating. By simply cutting and arranging sturdy logs around a fire pit or outdoor gathering space, you create a cozy rustic retreat.
Each log has its own unique texture and shape, giving the setup character without much effort. To prepare, cut logs evenly so they sit flat and stable on the ground.
You can sand the tops for smoother seating or leave them rugged for an authentic woodland look. This is a project where less is more, and it brings a timeless, earthy charm that feels right at home in any backyard.