Benches were in earlier eras, what chairs are now. The history of preferred methods of seating tells us that benches were normally used to sit in parks, courts, and homes.
It was not only used to sit on, but also for laying down to sleep, and setting up food to eat; benches provided much more utility than people can even imagine nowadays. As time passed by, those benches were given different styles for various purposes; those could be made from wood, metal, plastic, or stone.
The styles ranged from straight, backless, tree-garden, rattam, and Lutyen’s. Let’s delve deeper into the subject:
Garden Benches
Since centuries, you can not conceptualize a garden without benches. Be it the Roman era or the Mughal’s, benches have been an integral part of garden designs.
For the time it has existed, garden benches have evolved into many more categories than you could ever imagine. First off, wooden benches are the natural selection for gardens, for they fit best with the all-ecological look; the source of a tree may vary depending on the color and durability you want for the bench.
The second-most preferred choice is metal for its sustained usability of if you have a specific style in mind, such as a gothic one; the type of metal could range from cast aluminum to retro metal.
Plastic garden benches are a great option if you have a limited budget, and durability is all you want; plastic benches can set up a look of simplicity.
You might have seen concrete benches in the park, which give off an elegant look and remind you of something Romanesque. Not only that, but concrete stone benches are also extremely resistant to weather changes making it a prominent choice.
Outdoor benches
it can be rattan benches that are truly unique in its appeal and make any place look homely and beautiful, or a patio placed just outside your home to give it a lovely look.
If we talk about style, straight garden benches are the most common type of outdoor furniture you will find. There are also curved garden benches that give out a unique look of warmth and closeness.
Many gardens also possess Lutyens-style benches, which are one of a kind and take the classiness level of any garden to its zenith. Tree garden benches were conceptualized after realizing the fact that people like to spend their time under the shade of a tree; if you fix a bench under the tree’s shade, people would love to sit there.
Lastly, there are also weaved-back benches that look quite stunning when taken care of properly.
Gym Benches
Benches are essential to gyms around the world; for every body part that you are focusing on, a style of bench exists to carry out the specific exercises. The most common being the flat weight bench, which people use to exercise for their legs, chest, triceps, and biceps.
There are also Olympic weight benches, which are mostly used to carry out exercises focused on chest-building. Adjustable weight benches are preferred for it offers customization most benches don’t offer depending upon the exercise and built of the user.
Benches for Greenhouses
If we talk about benches designed explicitly for greenhouses, you won’t find as many types for any other establishment. Flood benches are used to keep the water flowing and carry out fertilization according to plans.
There are metal benches that enable the owner to maintain a wider variety of crops. There exist trough benches that allow the farmer to water the plants at the very bottom of its roots.
It also enables customization always to keep the water flowing and maintain the level of fertilizer to be put in. There are also metal workbenches which allow the grower to set up plants in a way they think would be optimum for the variety of plants to grow.
Wood Benches
Of the multitudes of wood available for making benches, some are preferred more for the quality and the comfort it provides. You might have heard of Cedar and Pine wood; they are one of the most popular choices for making benches.
If they are painted after a fixed period, they will stay durable for many years. Teak comes second in our list only because of its high price; the teak quality is enough to make any buyer choose it over other kinds. If taken care of properly, the benches will stay like they are for half a century.
Third in our list is the Australian Jarrah, for the red of its color and tough quality; benches made from it can add a touch of class to any garden. Its only downside is its high price.
Who Invented Benches?
While the public benches of France do have an inventor, a certain Gabriel Davioud, we can’t be sure when the benches were actually invented. Some journals trace its origins as back as 3000 B.C. in Egypt.
It kept evolving through the Mesopotamian era and the Minoan era. We have found distinct styles of benches used in the Greek era and the Gothic era. There is enough proof to conclude that benches were an integral part of seating in many different civilizations, but we can’t trace it back to a single inventor.
What Are Benches Used For?
Well, the simple answer would be ‘for sitting.’ Benches are also put in place to give an exotic or elegant look to its settings. They can also be used to give off a feel of homeliness or comfort to people. It all depends on the material and the style it is made in.
Summary
Well, the list comprises of multitudes of products. There are chairs, patios, benches, stools, recliners, rocking chairs, bean bags, couches, racks, beds, hammocks, sofas, etc.; the list goes on as there are hundreds of products. For every purpose, there exists a different type of furniture; that may range from sleeping to placing shoes in one place.