The Garden Bench

Benches in the garden are like functional pieces of art. You want them to look nice, but not if that comes at the cost of a good reading nook. "Remember, you always want to put a bench or seat in a place that you actually want to sit in," says Shirley Bovshow, Los Angeles garden designer and television host (she blogs at EdenMakersBlog.com). "Set up areas within your patio and or garden, where you're comfortable -- not too hot, not too shady -- that give you a close up appreciation of your garden."