You’ve probably sat down on a public bench, only to find a metal or wooden armrest digging into your side. It makes you wonder: are these things really necessary? As someone who has spent countless hours in parks, train stations, and city squares, I’ve had plenty of time to think about this. And the answer, I believe, is more complicated than a simple yes or no.
Let’s start with the obvious reason: armrests exist to keep people from lying down. In many cities, public benches are intentionally designed with armrests or central dividers to prevent individuals—often homeless people—from sleeping on them. This is a form of "hostile architecture," a term that sounds aggressive but describes everyday design meant to control behavior. For example, a typical three-seat bench with armrests in between makes it nearly impossible to curl up for a nap. While this may reduce loitering or camping, it also stigmatizes people who have nowhere else to rest.
But armrests aren’t just about control. From an ergonomic standpoint, they actually support proper posture. When you sit for a while, resting your arms can take pressure off your shoulders and lower back. For elderly people or those with mobility issues, armrests provide a crucial handhold when sitting down or standing up. I’ve seen my own grandfather struggle on benches without them—he once nearly fell sideways trying to stand. So in that sense, armrests serve a very real physical need.
Yet I’ve also sat on benches without armrests that felt wonderfully open and social. At a beachside promenade in Barcelona, the long curved benches invited people to sit any way they wanted—facing the sea, lying back, or even chatting with strangers. No obstacles. It felt like freedom. In many European public squares, benches lack armrests intentionally, prioritizing shared space over individual control.
So, are armrests really necessary? I think the honest answer is: it depends on the goal. If the goal is to provide accessible seating for people of all abilities, then yes, armrests are helpful. If the goal is to create welcoming, equitable public spaces that respect every citizen’s right to rest, then perhaps they are not—or at least their design should be reconsidered. Maybe we don’t need to remove all armrests, but we do need benches that allow for both comfort and compassion. After all, a bench should invite you to rest, not to feel unwelcome.