Build seating into a garden wall

A retaining wall can also define a place to sit, bringing a change in garden level and an outdoor seating area into one design. It is particularly useful where a separate bench would take up the route around a small patio.

The important distinction is what the wall does. A wall holding back soil needs a structural design suited to the ground and the loads behind it. Adding a seat does not change that responsibility.

Start with the levels and water

Before settling on a stone or a seat finish, establish the difference in ground level, the condition of the soil and where water will go. Nearby buildings, boundaries, slopes and access can all affect the solution. Discuss whether a structural engineer needs to assess the proposal.

A photograph cannot establish a safe foundation depth or wall thickness. These need to suit the actual site. Read our guide to drainage planning when considering the layout, then have the structural and drainage details assessed together.

Make the seat comfortable

Try a seat at the proposed height and depth before committing to construction. Think about who will use it, whether they need back support and how people will get up and move around the table. Leave a clear route through the seating area.

A timber seat can feel different from a stone cap. Compare the feel, appearance and upkeep as well as the colour. If you want cushions, include somewhere dry to store them. Avoid treating an exposed edge or a drop behind a seat as an afterthought.

Choose materials with the whole garden in mind

Use the house, patio and existing walls as the starting point for a material palette. Our natural stone guide compares common options, while the reclaimed stone guide looks at materials for older properties.

Allow space for planting to soften the seating area without obscuring drainage access. The garden should remain practical to look after once plants have grown.

What to bring to the site visit

Bring photographs of the slope, your approximate seating needs and any pictures of finishes you like. Point out places where water collects and features you want to retain. Ask for a scope covering excavation, structural requirements, drainage, the wall, the seating finish and making good around the work.

Explore our garden design service or patios and decking to discuss seating as part of a complete garden project.