Cinder block bench against a wall is genius...easy to buy plywood, foam and cover with outdoor fabric. If freestanding, the seat could be lifted for inner storage....doing this!
Sensory Gardens: "Use plants that play on the senses, such as fuzzy lamb's-ear, textural succulents, or fragrant lavender." (though not many eat it, lamb's ear leaves are edible, and most fleshy succulents are edible)
Money does grow on trees...and on bushes and vines and groundcovers, too. With edible landscaping, saving money never looked and tasted so good! http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/edible-landscaping/?socsrc=bhgpin042415ediblelandscapin