What to do with this bench?

Put the pots, trays on feet as the bench may end up rotting.
Or if are handy you could adapt the table into one large planter.
You would have to use a membrane inside to hold the soil so it doesn’t rot. Remember to put drainage holes in the membrane if it’s not drainable fabric.

Could you be honest? Say you are not comfortable on it even with cushions and could he please remove the seats so that then you can use your plastic chairs with it?
It's obvious been made with love.
He may be happy to do this.

What exactly makes it uncomfortable? Height, seat width?...

It has no back support and you can't sit on it unless you "swing your leg over". This is not practical for my 80 year old mother and mother in law in particular when they regularly come to visit so we end up using a separate patio set anyway.

It's also rather large for just the two of us and we cover it up throughout the winter.

It has indeed been made with love but some years ago now. Regretfully, it is no longer suitable for its intended purpose which is why I would like to consider a change of use.

MT62

Put the pots, trays on feet as the bench may end up rotting.
Or if are handy you could adapt the table into one large planter.
You would have to use a membrane inside to hold the soil so it doesn’t rot. Remember to put drainage holes in the membrane if it’s not drainable fabric.

The suggestion of containers on feet is very helpful as I had considered whether it may rot.

Lots of idea on Pinterest to adapt a picnic bench.

Some use them as planters but you would need trays under to stop rot.

Best ideas I've seen are turning them into games tables for young children by painting checkerboard and tic-tac-toe grids or generally something more colourful than dull brown.

If FiL still has his carpentry skills, you could ask him to remove and repurpose the seats into a tiered plant stand. Then you would have a table that can hold a large plastic compost tray for potting up.

Perhaps have one bench removed, use chair on that side.

I'd consider sanding, staining out door green. Painting a picture.

I often have a couple of large pots of cherry tomatoes on my patio table, it keeps them out of the dog's reach so he can't wee on them 🙄
I actually buy them ready-planted, as a hanging basket, from my local garden centre and sit them on a big saucer on the table top.

I've also got strawberries in pots, and herbs such as chives.

I've also done French beans and peas in a big pot, with a support frame for them to grow up.
You could stand one on the patio at either end of the table.

Another idea would be to put some troughs, standing in a long tray, along the benches.
You could have some small bedding plants or bulbs, eg crocuses, in these.

If you oil the wood it will help to protect it.

Have a good look round your local garden centre and see what they have, it will help you decide.

Have fun!

Exterior stain (not out door)