Booths

A booth is a small, partially enclosed space designed to accommodate a single user or a small group for a specific function. The term can refer to a freestanding unit in public or commercial spaces as well as to a private compartment within larger rooms. Common features include partitions, a door or curtain, seating or a counter, and sometimes a bench or stool.

Common types include dining booths in restaurants, which provide a defined, private area for eating; market and trade-show booths, which are modular displays for vendors to present products and engage with attendees; and voting booths, private enclosures used to cast ballots. Other varieties include exhibition or photo booths, which are temporary installations for demonstrations or photography, as well as recording or sound booths, which are soundproof rooms for audio capture. Public telephone booths exist in some areas, though they have become less common with mobile phones.

Construction and design considerations focus on privacy, acoustical control, ease of cleaning, and accessibility. Booths are built from materials such as wood, metal, glass, or fabric, with finishes chosen for durability and ease maintenance. Dimensions vary by purpose, with dining booths typically longer and shallower to accommodate seating and tables, while voting or recording booths emphasize controlled sightlines and user comfort.

Booths appear across historical and contemporary settings, from traditional markets and restaurants to labs, studios, and event spaces. Their common function is to create a defined, semi-private space within a larger environment for seating, interaction, or discrete activity.