Urban designers have developed several bench designs that remain comfortable for legitimate sitting while making extended lying impractical. One common approach involves installing individual armrests or dividers along the bench surface, creating distinct seating areas that prevent full-body stretching. These dividers maintain back support and sitting comfort while eliminating continuous flat surfaces.
Another solution incorporates slightly sloped seating surfaces or curved bench profiles that feel natural when sitting but become increasingly uncomfortable when attempting to lie down. The gentle incline provides adequate comfort for short-term sitting while making prolonged reclining positions unstable and unpleasant.
Some cities have implemented segmented bench designs with alternating materials - combining comfortable wooden slats for sitting with less comfortable metal sections in between. This approach maintains the visual appeal of traditional benches while incorporating subtle deterrents to horizontal occupancy.
Modern public spaces sometimes feature creatively angled benches or seating arranged in circular patterns that support social sitting configurations but offer no continuous flat surface. These designs often include strategic backrests positioned to support seated users without creating sleeping opportunities.
While these designs effectively address the practical concern of bench sleeping, they remain part of an ongoing ethical discussion about how public spaces should balance comfort, accessibility, and behavior management. The most successful implementations typically combine thoughtful physical design with adequate public seating availability and complementary social services.