Benches have historically served as common seating when chairs were reserved for those of higher status. Benches can be made of wood, metal, stone or synthetic materials and range in styles from those with backs and arms to backless styles that can be sat on from either side. Benches are used both indoors and outdoors in various settings like parks, gardens, scenic overlooks, and indoor spaces like churches, schools and courthouses. Specialized benches include picnic tables, church pews, punishment benches and courting benches.

3.  The bench was the common seating form in the days when chairs were
reserved for the most important people (hence the term “chairman”).
Early types were very simple, consisting of a plank supported by solid
ends connected by brackets or a stretcher.
 Both benches and settles may also be thought of as extensions of
chests, which were undoubtedly used for seating in the days before
chairs became common. Both planked chests and frame-and-paneled
chests are easily turned into settles by the simple extension upwards
of either the sides or the legs.
 whether supported by solid ends or individual legs, benches may be
made with squared or splayed supports. Solid ends are frequently
given various ogee-shaped profiles. Individual legs may be square,
chamfered, or turned. While the elongation which separates a bench
from a stool is generally intended to provide seating for more than one
person, a notable exception is the piano bench, which sometimes
differs from other benches in also often having an upholstered seat.

4. PLANKED CHEST PANELED CHEST
SETTLE
CHAIR
STOOL BENCH

5.  A bench is a long seat on which multiple people may sit at
the same time.
 Benches are typically made of wood, but may also be made
of metal, stone, or synthetic materials.
 Many benches have arm and back rests; some have no
back rest and can be sat on from either side.
 Benches are used both outdoors and indoors.
GARDEN BENCH

6.  Park benches are set as seating places within public parks,
and vary in the number of people they can seat.
 Garden benches are similar to public park benches, but are
longer and offer more sitting places.[1]

7.  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.

8.  A storage bench is a
combination of sitting
space and a storage box,
often used for keeping
gardening supplies or
grill equipment.
 A form is a backless
bench that was used for
seating in dining rooms,
school rooms and law
courts.[2]

9.  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.

10.  church pews inside places of worship, which
are sometimes equipped with an additional
kneeling bench.

11.  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 courting bench (or kissing
bench, or tête-à-tête): a two-
seater with the seats pointing
in opposite directions, thus
almost facing each other.