Outdoor benches aren’t really just for parks. They’ve taken the place of patio swings; love seats; and are known to be used as lounge chairs in our dens, here and there. Why so? They’re comfy and provide that warm feeling of spending a day, out in the sun.

For use inside the home, a bench tends to become the main piece inside the room it’s going to. It’s quite chunky for furniture since most of these benches are made from a combination of sturdy hardwood and cast iron. Since its design alone, places it as uncharacteristic for indoor use, you should downplay this by emphasizing its presence in the room, all the more.

Some ideas that can make an bench even more enjoyable include: placing it next to a water feature, covering it with an awning or climbing plants, add additional seating near it for a conversation area, adding a campfire pit.

If the lighting is good in the room and there won’t be any problems with you or the others in the house getting allergies, arrange some plant and seedling crates around the bench; box it in with these. The crates should be flat ones with just enough depth to accommodate decorative greenery like clover, sweet pea, and petunias. Make a bird bowl from scratch like papier mache. Hang this by a window, just because. Hang a baseball bat and mitt on the wall; pile up a collection of sports balls in a corner, and your park theme den is ready.

If your outdoor bench is to go on your porch, then get that Victorian parlor room look with the following suggestions. Set up side tables beside each arm of the bench. Put a miniature plant on top of the table, preferably one that has round, ornamental fruit growing on it. Add a few more items such as small, standing frames which encase butterfly specimens or leaf and flower types.

Use your outdoor bench to transport you to the Victorian era. Side tables by each arm of the chair will do the trick. Dress up the tables with a pair of ornamental trees with round fruits and then place a stack of hardbound, vintage books beside the miniature trees. Add small bowls of sweet potpourri and small frames of butterflies, dried leaves, and dried flowers. There, you’ve got another pretty setting.

Lastly, if you use this bench as a love seat, for a fun gathering, don’t hesitate to indulge in giving your home more than just a touch of romance. Bring out those plush, red satin throw pillows and stack them up on the bench. Place a very large vase that’s just as tall as the bench, and fill it up with an arrangement of lush flowers.

Then, bring in a string of faux pearls. You can drape the string of pearls on the bench. Later, when the lights are dim, wait for someone special to kiss you on this nicely decorated bench. These are only three examples of the many ways that you can use your outdoor bench, indoors.

When you are looking for a new piece of outdoor patio furniture, there are many options to choose from. There are many types of patio sets, single pieces like outdoor benches, or even add ons like patio cushions.