As the days grow longer and summer draws closer, we naturally gravitate outdoors. Gardens, parks, and open spaces become the backdrop for gatherings, quiet reflection, and the shared rituals of outdoor living. At Ethan, our handcrafted garden benches have been designed to honour these moments — to bring comfort, beauty, and enduring strength to both private homes and public landscapes.

Whether placed beneath a tree in a family garden, at the entrance to a lodge, or in a community park where many gather, Ethan’s Straight and Curved Benches are made to be lived with, admired, and trusted for generations.

Handcrafted in New Zealand

Every Ethan bench is built by hand in our Whanganui workshop, using time-honoured joinery and the finest Iroko hardwood. As a family-owned, second-generation business, craftsmanship is more than a process — it is our heritage. Each piece is carefully constructed with strength and proportion in mind, ensuring that an Ethan bench is not just furniture, but a fixture in the life of any space it inhabits.

The Straight Garden Bench: Simple Elegance, Enduring Comfort

The Straight Bench is our classic interpretation of the garden seat. Its shaped seat and angled backrest make it a pleasure to sit in, while the wide, flat arms serve both function and form — perfect for resting a glass or book. The mortise and tenon jointed slat back adds strength and timeless character, a detail that speaks to generations of fine woodworking tradition.

Available in multiple sizes, from a compact two-seater to a generous five-seater, the Straight Bench adapts to gardens, courtyards, and communal areas alike. It is also a piece chosen often for memorials — a beautiful, lasting way to honour a life well-lived. Councils across New Zealand have chosen Ethan benches for their parks, cemeteries, and reserves, knowing they will stand the test of time in both strength and timeless style.

Well-proven in commercial settings, the Straight Bench is a trusted choice for resorts, hotels, and public landscapes where durability and presentation matter.

The Curved Garden Bench: Sculptural Beauty, Exceptional Craftsmanship

The Curved Bench is perhaps one of the most technically challenging pieces we make. Its dual curve — both across the seat and along the back — requires precision, patience, and mastery of form. The result is a bench that is not only visually striking but exceptionally comfortable to sit in.

The Premium model features laminated boards shaped to achieve that signature flow, while alternative versions provide flatter or upright seating options depending on need and context. Each version reflects the same Ethan values: comfort, strength, and beauty in balance.

Curved Benches are often selected for hospitality spaces and grand gardens, where their sculptural presence enhances the design of the environment. They also sit beautifully at entrances, along pathways, or beside a tennis court or pool — quietly elevating every outdoor moment. 

One example is the handcrafted Curved Bench at Mangaturuturu Hut in Tongariro National Park, a dual World Heritage site. Positioned to capture sweeping alpine views of Mount Ruapehu, this bench was built to endure extreme conditions of snow and heat, providing comfort for trampers and honouring the history of the site. You can read the full story of this project here.