Benches and stools, like the earliest chests, are chairs without backs. Some benches do have backs but this seems to be the exception rather than the rule; some also have arms.
Benches seat two or more people. A main characteristic of benches is the shallowness of the seat (Fig 6.11). Therefore a bench is always longer than its depth. This furniture component serves well in all rooms, especially narrow halls and corridor- like rooms. Although benches give little real comfort, they are useful as short-term places to sit. Materials for bench construction include wood, metal, and plastics.
Stools: In ancient times stools seems to have been the favored piece of furniture for sitting. Stools are intended for one-person use, never more (Fig.6.12). Stools are easily the most transportable. Stools offer comfort only when well designed and they have one advantage over chairs-they can be sat on from all four sides.
Last modified: Thursday, 16 February 2012, 5:23 AM
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