23 Outdoor Planters That Double as the Perfect Spot to Sit
Planter boxes with built-in seating feel like a small-space miracle. They combine greenery, a place to sit, and often clever storage, so a narrow balcony or tiny patio reads like a cozy outdoor room.
I love how a planted bench softens concrete, creates quick privacy, and gives succulents, trailing vines, or a row of herbs a proper stage.
Below I’ve gathered 23 standout planter boxes with seating that span weathered wood, sleek metal, and smart modular builds—each one a tidy idea for adding comfort and life to a modest outdoor spot.
My Top 23 Planter Boxes With Seating
I’ve pulled together an extensive collection of ideas for you to take a look at below. If you see one you love, make sure you save it to Pinterest:
1) Warm Wood & Matte Black
I love the calm, sculptural vibe of these planter boxes with seating. The long wooden bench reads like built-in furniture and warms up the sleek black planter, while the tall snake plants give instant privacy and architectural height.
The crushed stone mulch keeps the look crisp and low maintenance, so it feels curated without demanding effort. It’s modern, friendly, and exactly the kind of piece that turns a narrow balcony into a hangout spot.
Style it with a couple of outdoor cushions in sunset tones and a woven throw for cozy evenings. Pop a small side table or stackable stool nearby for coffee, and tuck a cluster of terracotta pots with herbs or trailing annuals at one end to soften the edges.
2) Concrete & Warm Walnut
I love the clean, modern look of these planter boxes with built-in seating. The cool concrete box cradles a tight cluster of rosette succulents and pebble top dressing that reads tidy but not precious, while the warm stained wood bench invites you to sit and pretend you’re a very calm person.
It feels sculptural and useful at the same time.
The planting is low-fuss—Echeveria-style rosettes and a few trailing sedums—so you get texture and variety without a lecture about pH levels.
Style it with a couple of woven cushions and a slubby linen throw for instant coziness. Add a small side table or a tray for your coffee, a terracotta pot or two for height, and a pair of lanterns for soft evening light.
Keep colors warm and natural so the greens pop, and use weatherproof fabrics so you can actually leave the cushions out without apologizing to the weather.
3) Warm Cedar & Tropical
I love how the planter box doubles as a bench and a stage for the plants, all wrapped in that warm, honeyed wood.
The seat is wide enough to flop down on while the bed behind it holds small palms for height, cheerful pink perennial blooms for color, and low foliage to fill the gap, all set on dark, fresh-looking soil that makes everything pop.
The clean, horizontal boards keep the look modern but cozy, and the scale feels just right for a deck or narrow yard. (Also, it somehow reads like a plant hug.)
Style it with woven seat cushions, a simple throw, and a low wooden side table for your drink or a stack of gardening mags. Add a couple of terracotta pots or a cluster of succulents to echo the warm tones, and hang a strand of soft lights for evening mood.
4) Rustic Walnut & Stripes
I love that this planter box doubles as a bench. The warm, weathered wood slats feel lived in and inviting, and the built-in planter spilling little white daisies and lush green groundcover makes the whole thing read as intentional, not fussy.
A striped cushion adds a sly bit of pattern and instant comfort, while the pale wall and dappled tree shade give the setup a calm, private vibe that begs for a slow cup of tea.
Style it with a couple more woven cushions or a lightweight throw for extra coziness, and tuck a small terracotta pot or lantern on the brick edge for evening glow.
5) Weathered Wood
I love how these planter boxes double as bench seating; the weathered wood and built-in planters carve out a cozy corner that feels lived-in, not staged.
The neutral cushions are soft without shouting, and the planting mix—fern fronds, glossy-leaved shrubs, and trailing ivy—brings height, texture, and a little tropical drama while still being low fuss.
Bright green against warm wood makes the whole spot feel like an invitation to linger with a book or a cold drink.
Style it with a couple of woven throws, one or two patterned pillows, and a small outdoor rug to anchor the area; add a low teak tray or side table for your cup and phone.
6) Weathered Gray
I love that these planter boxes double as bench seating, all weathered wood and easy charm. The built-in beds brim with airy wildflowers and trailing greenery that tumble over the edge, and the low planks invite you to sit and pretend you meant to spend the whole afternoon out here.
The layered levels and rustic grain make it feel like a little secret nook, the kind you collapse into with muddy knees and a cup of something cold.
Style it with a couple of woven cushions and a faded throw for instant comfort, plus a terracotta pot or two to echo the warm wood tones. Add a galvanized watering can or a simple lantern for evenings, and tuck in a handful of potted herbs or a small succulent tray on the seat for easy upkeep.
7) Cedar, White Stucco & Palms
I love the built-in bench planter for how effortlessly it mixes form and function. The warm, horizontal wood seating against the crisp white planter feels modern but still cozy, and the trio of palm trunks with a low carpet of colorful annuals reads like a tiny tropical escape.
The slatted privacy screen and pale deck make the whole arrangement feel like a calm outdoor room you actually want to use.
Style it with a couple of woven cushions and a soft throw to make the bench irresistible, then add a pair of terracotta pots with succulents or a tall lantern to balance the height of the palms.
8) Warm Teak & White
I love the built-in bench and planter combo because it reads like a mini oasis that still feels tidy. The warm, slatted wood seating pairs perfectly with the crisp white planter, and the lush palm fronds plus pops of white and pink blooms give serious vacation-vibes without trying too hard.
It feels like a place you actually want to sit with a cold drink and a book, not just scroll past on your feed.
What I would include and style with it is simple: a couple of textured cushions and a lightweight throw for comfort, a slim tray for drinks, and a low lantern for evening glow. Keep the planting low-maintenance with bold, architectural leaves and easy flowering annuals that spill slightly over the edge.
9) Rustic Oak & Greens
I love the warm, lived-in vibe of these planter boxes with seating. The wide, weathered wood bench tucks into built-in planters so ferns and trailing greenery spill over the back like a soft curtain. Striped, slightly rumpled cushions invite you to flop down with a coffee.
The planting mix here is all texture—feathery ferns, glossy-leaved fillers, and a few trailing vines that soften the wood and add instant shade.
Style it like you mean to use it. Layer a neutral woven throw and a couple lanterns for evening glow, add a low coffee table for drinks, and tuck in a clay pot with seasonal blooms for a pop. Keep the cushion palette calm and swap one bright pillow when you want drama.
10) Warm Cedar & Greenery
I love the cozy corner vibe of this planter-box bench. The warm, natural wood reads like an invitation to sit, sip, and pretend you have your life together while a soft cushion proves comfort is not optional.
The mix of taller, airy foliage at the back and low, grassy clumps in front gives the whole thing height and movement, while the dark mulch keeps the look polished and low-maintenance.
It feels intentional without being fussy, which is exactly my aesthetic goal for small patios.
Style it with a textured throw and a couple of woven baskets to soften the lines and add evening coziness. Pop in a terracotta pot or two and a small tray for drinks or a succulent to keep things practical.
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11) Curved Grey
I love how the curved planter boxes double as a cozy bench — the smooth stone feels modern and grounded, while the neutral linen cushions make it instantly inviting.
The planting is quietly dramatic: tall, rust-tinted ornamental grasses for movement and privacy, low groundcover tucked into the crevices, and river rocks at the base for texture and neatness.
It reads like a living room that moved outside and somehow looks totally relaxed about it.
Style it with a couple more textured cushions in warm tones, a woven throw for chilly evenings, and a low side table for drinks or a stack of magazines. Add soft lighting like lanterns or tiny solar stakes and a few potted herbs or trailing plants at one end to soften the stone edge.
12) Warm Teak With Seating
I love the easy, built-in vibe of these planter boxes with seating. The warm, honeyed wood doubles as a bench, and that crisp white cushion tucked into the corner makes it feel like someone thought about comfort and then forgot to overdo it.
Lavender spikes give height and a soft purple haze, while low herbs at the front add texture and usefulness — hello, snip-and-cook moments. The grain and tiny cracks in the timber read as personality, not flaw.
Style it simply: a couple of woven cushions, a lightweight throw for cooler nights, and a small round side table to hold coffee or a terracotta pot. Add a cluster of low lanterns or solar lights for evening glow and a trailing plant in a pot to soften the corners.
13) Rustic Cedar & Lavender
I love the simple, homespun charm of these planter boxes with seating. The wide, weathered wood top doubles as a bench so you can actually sit among the plants, and the deep trough is filled with fragrant lavender that softens the look with gray-green foliage and purple spikes.
The knots and worn edges give it that perfectly imperfect vibe, like it’s been part of a summer evening ritual for years.
Style it with a couple of woven cushions and a neutral throw for comfy seating, plus a terracotta pot or two with kitchen herbs for extra scent and easy snips. Add a cluster of lanterns or a string of bulbs for long evenings, and let a low, trailing thyme or sedum soften the edges.
14) Minimalist Warm Cedar
I love the warm, low-slung vibe of these planter boxes with built-in seating. The rich wood tones and simple, boxy lines feel modern but cozy, and the combo of airy grasses, low green fillers, and that silvery, small tree in the corner gives instant height and privacy.
The bench is literally part of the planter, so you get planting and lounging in one piece, and the textured cushions make it feel like an actual hangout spot, not just garden furniture.
Style it with a woven rug and a chunky throw for chilly evenings, a couple of lanterns or string lights for soft glow, and a small side table to hold coffee or a book. Pop in a terracotta pot or citrus tree beside the boxes and let a trailing plant tumble over the edge to soften the angles.
15) Matte Black & Modern
I love how this planter box doubles as seating and a green screen, all while feeling totally effortless. The matte black box and warm wood bench create that chic, city-garden contrast I cannot resist, and the tall variegated snake plants add instant vertical drama and privacy.
A layer of pale pebbles keeps the look clean and low maintenance, so it reads modern but relaxed, like you meant to make it look this good.
Style it with a couple of neutral, weatherproof cushions and a woven throw for instant comfort, plus a small side table or tray for drinks
16) White Stucco & Wood
I love how this built-in bench reads like a cozy secret nook. The low white planter boxes that frame the seat are brimming with wildflowers and soft, swaying herbs, so you get color and scent without fuss.
The slatted wood front and weathered bench top feel relaxed but intentional, and the mix of cushions — black-and-white stripe, fringed cream, and a round bolster — makes it gloriously flop-friendly.
The pergola above throws pretty striped shadows that turn a simple sit-down into an afternoon moment.
Style it with a woven throw, a couple of lanterns for soft evening light, and a small tray for iced tea or a stack of books. Add terracotta pots or a pair of rosemary plants at the base to echo the planter palette, and consider a warm neutral outdoor rug to anchor the space.
17) Cottage Rustic Brown
I love how the reclaimed wood planter boxes double as low benches, creating a cozy corner that feels like it has always belonged there.
The planting is loose and cheerful—airy cosmos, little yellow wildflowers, leafy greens and vines that tumble up the fence—so it reads more garden party than staged display.
The wide tops work as seating or a spot to set a mug, and a few terracotta pots and a watering can tucked in make the whole thing feel lived in and useful. Sunlight hitting the grain of the wood gives everything that easy, golden-hour glow.
Style it with weathered cushions and a neutral linen throw for comfort that looks like you tried without trying. Add a couple of terracotta herb pots (rosemary and thyme are dependable), a low tray for drinks, and a lantern or string lights for evening ambiance.
18) Cream Planter & Warm Timber
I love how the smooth, pale planter feels like a little stage for the plants. The clean stucco box and warm timber bench play so nicely together, giving me a spot to sit that actually looks intentional. Inside, spiky agave and chunky rosette succulents sit on a pale pebble topdressing for that crisp, low-water look.
The whole thing reads calm, modern, and somehow very touchable when the light hits the leaves.
It comes styled with the succulents, gravel, and the built-in wooden seat so you get function and form in one go. I would soften it with a couple of woven cushions, a small tray for a cup and a watering can, and a ceramic pot or two with trailing sedum to add movement.
19) Weathered Brown Wood
I love the lived-in, weathered wood of these planter boxes with built-in seating. The bench doubles as a raised bed filled with airy daisies, tiny magenta blooms, and trailing greenery that spills over the edge.
It reads relaxed and practical, like a spot meant for slow mornings and zero garden-show-off energy.
The low, cottagey planting softens the hard lines of the wood and concrete, so it feels cozy even when it’s just a corner of the yard.
Style it with a couple of faded linen cushions and a woven throw for comfort, plus a low terracotta pot of herbs on the corner to echo the planting. Drop a metal lantern or two for evening light and a small side table or crate for drinks.
20) Beige Cushions & Pampas
I love how this built-in seating feels like a secret nook that somehow belongs to both a chic magazine shoot and my very average Sunday afternoon.
The smooth concrete bench gets softened with low, linen seat cushions and a couple of squishy pillows, while the narrow planter behind it is filled with tall, feathery ornamental grasses and a scattering of river rocks.
The plants give the space privacy and a little drama when the wind hits, and the pebble top keeps the look tidy and intentionally relaxed.
Style it with warm, tactile pieces that already live in your house: a woven throw, a couple of lanterns for evening light, and a small wooden tray for glasses and a book. Add a few low pots of succulents or rosemary for texture and scent, and lean into a neutral palette with terracotta or rust accents for contrast.
21) Cedar & Pink Blooms
I love how the built-in bench feels like a secret little lounge, all wood slats and a pillowy cushion that begs you to linger. The planter box brimmed with airy pink blooms and soft greenery gives the whole spot a relaxed, cottagey vibe.
It comes styled with a quilted seat pad, a couple of striped and neutral linen cushions, and trailing plants that spill over the stucco edge for that effortlessly overgrown look.
The timber overhead adds privacy and dapples the light so everything feels cozy without trying too hard.
Style it with a woven throw, a low side tray for coffee, and a pair of weatherproof lanterns for soft evening light. Add a couple of terracotta pots with herbs or a tall grassy plant to echo the planter height.
22) Reclaimed Wood & Lavender
I love the honest, rustic vibe of the planter boxes with seating here. The chunky reclaimed wood top reads like a built-in bench, and the lavender spilling over the edge gives it that “I forgot to prune and it still looks fabulous” energy.
Low herbs and a soft creeping groundcover tuck in at the front so it feels both useful and pretty—perfect for morning coffee and quick snips for dinner.
Style it with a couple of weatherproof cushions and a woven throw for comfort, plus a chipped terracotta pot or two to warm up the wood. Add a narrow tray for a mug and your pruning shears, a metal watering can tucked at the end, and a few potted herbs like mint or parsley within reach—functional, cozy, and zero-fuss.
23) Sunlit Teak
I love how the built-in bench and planter feel like furniture and garden at once. The warm honeyed wood slats read modern but cozy, while the planters are packed with tall lavender stems, feathery grasses, and low herb groundcover that softens the edges and gives off that irresistible fragrance.
The mix of textures makes the whole corner look lived in and intentional, not staged. It’s the kind of setup that begs you to sit down with a book and a cup of coffee.
Style it with a couple of woven cushions, a slubby linen throw, and a small metal tray for drinks to keep things casual. Add a few terracotta pots or a potted citrus in the raised planter for height and color, plus a lantern or string lights for mellow evenings.
Tips and Tricks for Planter Boxes With Seating
You’ve seen my top planter boxes with seating, but here are some of my personal tips and tricks for achieving these looks:
- Choose weatherproof materials: I pick cedar, redwood or powder-coated steel so the planter and bench last outdoors. I use stainless fasteners and seal cut ends with a wood preservative to slow rot and avoid surprises.
- Set seat height and depth for comfort: I build seats about 17 to 18 inches high and 15 to 18 inches deep for most adults. I add a slight backrest or cushions if I expect long hangs.
- Design drainage that works: I drill drainage holes, line the planter with landscape fabric and add a gravel layer so water flows away. I use removable pots or inserts if I plan to swap plants or winterize easily.
- Pick plants by root depth and care: I group shallow-rooted herbs and annuals near the edges and use compact shrubs or small trees in the center. I favor plants that match how much time I want to spend on maintenance.
- Plan structure for weight: I calculate wet soil weight and add center supports or cross-bracing so the bench does not sag. I reinforce corners and avoid thin slats under heavy loads.
- Make maintenance easy: I build hinged seat tops or lift-out trays so I can reach soil, change plants and clean without tearing the whole piece apart. Removable parts save time.
- Choose weatherproof cushions and fastenings: I use quick-dry foam and removable covers that I can wash or stash away in bad weather. I add ties or clips so cushions do not blow off.
- Style with scale, color and light: I match planter width to path size and keep proportions balanced with nearby furniture. I stain or paint to tie to the house, add a trellis or vertical plants for height, and tuck low-voltage lights under the seat for soft evening glow.