Public spaces rarely suffer from a lack of benches. They suffer from benches no one wants to sit on. Floe, the new collection from Maglin Site Furniture, addresses that problem directly with a more thoughtful take on outdoor bench seating. Learn more at 

At first glance, Floe reads as simple. Look closer and the geometry reveals itself. Repeating radii shape the profile, forming soft ellipses that carry through the seat, backrest, and supports. The result feels cohesive and intentional. Nothing looks abrupt.

Comfort plays a central role. A subtly concave seat encourages people to stay longer, which is often the real measure of successful outdoor bench seating. In streetscapes, campuses, and mixed-use developments, a well-used bench signals that a place works.

Material choices reinforce the balance between warmth and durability. Large-profile Douglas fir introduces natural texture and scale, responsibly harvested from Pacific Northwest forests. Beneath it, a steel frame delivers structural strength for high-traffic environments. Stainless steel feet lift the structure slightly from the ground, reducing wear from moisture and dragging.

Designers also get flexibility. Floe comes in backed, backless, and extra-wide formats, with armed and armless options that support accessibility goals. Maglin’s coating system expands the palette further, offering 18 color choices that help outdoor bench seating coordinate with surrounding architecture and landscape.

The broader category has been evolving. As we saw in Colorful Conversations: The Hoop Bench, contemporary benches increasingly blend personality with civic utility.

Floe follows that trajectory with restraint. Rounded forms, warm wood, and adaptable configurations make it easy to imagine in plazas, courtyards, and campus paths. A bench designed not just to occupy space, but to invite pause.

_{Images Courtesy of Maglin Site Furniture}