Yes—there are, though they’re more common in commercial and designer urban furniture than in typical residential catalogs. The most straightforward type is the bench-to-lounger: a public bench with an adjustable backrest and sometimes a slide-out foot section. You release a locking pin or gas strut, fold the back down, and the seat depth effectively increases. Some models look like a standard slatted bench when upright; others use upholstered pads or perforated metal.
Another approach is modular seating. Individual cubes or platforms can be reconfigured into a chaise, or a backrest module can be removed and repositioned to create a lounger. These are popular for plazas, campuses, roof terraces, and transit-adjacent spaces because one system handles sitting, leaning, and lying back. There are also flip-out and pull-out designs: a bench seat hides a footrest or leg extension that turns a 600 mm seat into a longer lounger. Some high-end pieces use a scissor mechanism or a pivoting back, similar to residential outdoor recliners but built with heavier-duty hardware.
For urban settings, the details matter more than the concept. Look for powder-coated aluminum or stainless steel frames, marine-grade hardware, UV-stable HPL, recycled plastic, or teak, plus drainage channels and raised feet. Mechanisms should be simple, tool-free where possible, and lockable in both positions. Vandal resistance, pinch-point protection, and anti-tip feet are important in public spaces. Check whether the piece meets local accessibility and fire-code clearances, and whether it can be secured or anchored.
Maintenance is the reality check. Moving parts collect grit, so specify sealed bearings or replaceable bushings and include a simple cleaning schedule. If the furniture is unsupervised, avoid delicate cushions and exposed gas struts unless they are protected. A good compromise is a manual, two-position bench-lounger with few moving parts and a clear diagram—people understand it quickly, and facilities teams can service it without specialist tools.
So yes: convertible seating-to-lounger pieces exist for urban outdoor use, from adjustable public benches to modular platforms and pull-out chaises. They are not yet as ubiquitous as fixed benches, but they are a practical option when a space needs to shift between daytime sitting, lunchtime lounging, and evening social use—without adding a second furniture footprint.