Teak Bench Chairs and Single Seat Benches
Not every spot in a garden has room for a full bench, and a spare dining chair rarely looks right sitting next to one. A bench chair fills that gap: the comfort and profile of a bench, built for one. Ours run from traditional Lutyens designs through to contemporary silhouettes, all in carefully selected Grade A heartwood teak.
This is furniture built to be passed on. Our stunning teak carries the full natural oil and silica content of the tree, which is why it can stand outside through British winters for decades without any treatment. As the years pass it silvers to a soft, natural grey, while the timber underneath stays dense, strong and sound. It's fully assembled on delivery, and made to last a lifetime.
What Bench Chairs Are
Two different people search for this, so it is worth being clear on both. If you want a single armchair built in bench styling rather than dining chair styling, that is what a bench chair is. If you want chairs to place either side of a bench you already own, these are the ones that will match it.
Our bench range runs from 1-seater bench chairs to 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-seater benches, all built to the same designs.
Matching Your Existing Bench
Because the designs run across the range, a Lutyens bench chair sits beside a Lutyens bench without a visible mismatch in the back profile or the arm. If you are not sure which design you already have, send us a photograph or call the team, and we will tell you. Browse the full teak benches range to compare.
Where Bench Chairs Work Best
They earn their place in the spots a full bench will not fit: a porch, the corner of a terrace, either side of a doorway or a path, or flanking a table where you want the look of a bench without losing the seating flexibility.
They are also the practical answer when two people use a garden most of the time. Two bench chairs and a small table between them give you the same look as a bench, with a great deal more comfort.
Pair them with a garden side table for somewhere to set a drink down.
Cushions Made to Fit
Cushions are available in a high-specification Olefin fabric that is showerproof but not waterproof, with UV colour fastness and stain resistance, made to fit each design. Because of teak's natural tannins, you may see a little oil residue on the underside where the cushion meets the wood, which is entirely normal.
Built Like Everything Else We Make
Our chairman, Robert Bowden, bought his first teak bench over half a century ago. It is still in loyal service outside our showroom and has never been treated with a drop of furniture oil. Every teak bench chair we make is built to that standard.
- Grade A heartwood teak, rich in the natural oils that resist rot and insects
- Traditional mortice and tenon joinery, dowelled and bonded
- Built to withstand heavy usage and inclement weather
- Delivered fully assembled and positioned by our own team
- Ten-year guarantee on our teak furniture
- Free delivery to UK mainland postcodes on orders over £250
Bench Chair: FAQs
What is a teak bench chair?
A bench chair is a single-seat garden chair built with the same slatted back, crest rail and frame as a full bench. It gives you the appearance and comfort of a bench in a one-person seat.
Are bench chairs comfortable without a cushion?
Yes. The backs and seats are shaped rather than flat, which is where the comfort comes from. Cushions are available made to fit if you want them, and most people add them for longer sitting.
Can a teak bench chair be left outside all year?
Yes. Grade A heartwood teak needs no cover, no storage and no treatment through a British winter. It will weather to an even silver-grey patina, which is a surface change only.
Do bench chairs come assembled?
Yes. Every piece is delivered fully assembled by our own team and placed exactly where you want it.
Are bench chairs suitable for public spaces?
Yes. They are built to withstand heavy use, and many of our benches are in public settings. Please note that our ten-year guarantee covers domestic use and does not extend to furniture in commercial or public settings.