What a lovely, thoughtful gift. I can understand why it means so much to you.

Honestly, I am not crazy about where it is sitting. From the pix it appears that the back of the bench is up against the sidewalk, and right where anyone would first approach the house. It doesn't really seem to say "Here is a pretty bench, sit for a minute and enjoy the yard".

Could you create a larger mulched space in front of the window on the left that would invite someone to sit?

Or perhaps along the garage wall where the bushes appear to be now? IMO, it would be a more logical place for the bench to be to invite admiration and use. You could transplant the bushes along the walkway where the bench is now. Having the pretty back of the bench up against the house would also show off the bench better, too.

What about pulling the mulched area in front of your windows out a little more to create space for the bench. Then veer a mulched pathway off, leading up to the bench. You could add a few large pots of seasonal plants or flowers, maybe add a weather proof decorator pillow.

Thanks for your replies! I really needed suggestions for this...
Sounds like you are saying increase the bedding on the left and put it there or on the lawn to the right of the garage??? Do I have this right??? thanks~

You have a beautiful house! I think it looks fine where it is.

Awww...thanks, Graywritingdog.

I can't tell if there's enough room in the bedding in front of the windows. If that area can be increased to put the bench among your plants and shrubs it might look more accessible if there were a walk way or pathway aiming towards the area.
It looks like there's a garden wall in front of the doorway next to the garage. Is that right? If so, the bench might look welcoming there with something on the wall above it.
I have three benches here and there and the only one that uses any of them is the UPS man for tossing packages. But they do look friendly in the overall landscape picture.
Yours has special meaning.

What a sweeet bench! No wonder you are proud of it!

Thanks so much! I think I need to take a close up picture tomorrow after work....thanks again!

In the mean time...I found this picture.
What about putting the bench over where the white chair is?
thank you.... :)

Here is a link that might be useful:

I don't know much about bench placement but still wanted to chime in---your bench is wonderful, and what a very special memory you have!

Your home is also very, very nice and the surrounding flowers/colors are sweet!

I don't know if I would put it under the window - and want to use it. It might look nice, but I probably wouldn't sit out there under the front window --- maybe just me.
I was thinking in that little area between the front door and the garage, but there doesn't look like enough room there. To the right of the garage in your last pic, it almost looks like the ground is not level. Maybe it is just the picture.
What about in the back yard? Maybe you would use that area more.

If I were you, I'd put it on the far left, about where the yellow flowers are, in front of the two shrubs. I'd dig up the yellow flowers and replant them, possibly where the bench had been. That was a very thoughtful gift, and it's equally thoughtful that you're taking the time to showcase it properly!

Lori, I love the bench . . . what a thoughtful gift! Where it is at the moment, makes it look more like yard art than a place you'd actually sit. If there was room, I'd think about digging up the planting bed to the right of the front steps and placing it there, with it's back up against the garage wall. I'd add one of those decorative ceramic tables to the side a bit, and a (weighted down) throw pillow covered with a coordinating sunbrella print. If there wasn't enough room by the steps, I'd probably look into a place in the backyard. My least favorite of all the choices would be to the right of the garage there.

That bench is magnificent, even more so due to the sentimental value of it.

I'm in agreement with a few of the posters here. I think it would be an exquisite feature to the left of your entrance, beneath the window. You'd need to expand the bed out a few feet and reorganize the plantings so there's a clear walk path from the entrance to the seating area.

I know it sounds like a lot of work ... but picture this: It's a beautiful day, you've just been out for a vigorous walk, your spirits are high though your feet are weary. Before going inside, you just want to sit for a moment or ten to enjoy that cleansing air while your body cools down. And there you sit, reflecting, planning, and appreciating your lovely yard and the progress your plants have made.

I agree that it needs to be on the left side. Your house looks weighty on the right and the bench on the left would draw attention to that lovely side of your house and away from the garage.

Such a treat to come home today and see more replies!
Thank you and I will give them all good thought...
You are probably saying WHY is she fretting over a bench, but you know how you feel when something just doesn't look right???
Here are some close up pictures- remember, it's April in MA and nothing has come up yet. THANKS! :)

Here is a link that might be useful:

Here's the other side of the house, too...

Here is a link that might be useful:

Do you have munchkins? I have a vision of the bench on the open side of the garage with a flowering tree, a mulched area and a couple of dark flower pots with lots of color. You can sit on your bench and watch the kiddies while they zoom up and down the driveway, use chalk, blow bubbles, "paint" with water and brushes, etc.

Where ever you pick, I'm sure it will look terrific.

It's hard to say definitively where one might put the bench because your landscape will always be evolving; and the good thing is you can move a bench and add the pillows or table (or a water feature) whenever you want. It looks like there might even be room on your walkway leading up to your steps. Or, if you can get it into a quiet place in your back yard, it wouldn't be as visible, but you would probably see it more. You don't have to sit in it to appreciate it.

And here's another thought - moving it inside. :)

There's no reason why such a gorgeous and functional piece couldn't work on the interior of your home as well.

Having said that, my personal preference is beneath the windows. And from the close up you've added, it looks like it wouldn't be such an unforgiving chore to lift that sod and reshape that bed. Hard work to be sure, but well worth it!

Thanks so much! More good ideas for me....you know, at first I did think of putting it in my foyer but my husband thought that was strange and that it was too big. I will have to try it in a few different spots I guess. Thanks! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: