Bench (furniture) - Different Types of Benches

Different Types of Benches

Often benches are simply named for the place they are used, regardless of whether this implies a specific design.

• Park benches are set as seating places within public parks, and vary on the amount of people they can seat.
• Garden benches are similar to public park benches, but are longer and offer more sitting places.
• Picnic tables, or catering buffet tables have long benches as well as a table. These tables may have table legs which are collapsible, in order to expedite transport and storage.
• Scenic benches are situated to provide a comfortable means of enjoying the contemplation of a beautiful landscape, a busy street scene, or perhaps a specific event.
• Perch benches are usually situated in high traffic areas to enable people to take a quick break.
• Outdoor Storage Bench is a combination of sitting space and a storage box, often used for keeping gardening supplies or grill equipment.

Various types of benches are specifically designed for and/or named after specific uses, such as:

• church pews inside places of worship are equipped with an additional kneeling bench.
• a bench seat is a traditional seat installed in automobiles, featuring a continuous pad running the full width of the cabin.
• a punishment bench is used to have a punishee lie (and often be tied) down on for the administration of a corporal punishment, after which it may be specifically named, e.g. caning bench
• a bench (weight training) is used for fitness exercises, such as the bench press which is named after its use of a bench
• a communion bench is not used as a seat
• a piano bench offers usually one person seating and is height adjustable.
• a spanking bench, such as a caning bench, is specifically designed for a spankee to lie upon, possibly strapped down, while submitting to paining of the posterior
• Swing seats are independently movable, suspended benches, used for play or as a relaxing porch swing.
• a courting bench (or kissing bench, or tête-à-tête): a two-seater with the seats pointing in opposite directions, thus almost facing each other.
• a friendship bench in a school playground is where a child can go when they want someone to talk to.
• the bench in a courtroom, behind which the judge is seated.