Umbrella stand
{{Short description|Storage device for umbrellas and walking sticks}}
File:Umbrella holder outside convenience store (14232292011).jpg
An umbrella stand is a storage device for umbrellas and walking sticks. They are usually located inside the entrance of a home or public building, and are sometimes complemented by a hanger or mirror,{{cite book|author=C. J. Petersen|title=House Beautiful: The Organized Home: Stylish Storage Solutions for Every Room|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fu0CEFDjVoAC&dq=umbrella+stand+use&pg=PA222|accessdate=26 February 2013|date=1 April 2008|publisher=Hearst Books|isbn=978-1-58816-682-1|pages=222–}} or combined with a coat rack.
The stand is used to hold umbrellas when they are not in use. In public spaces, their use is usually limited to rainy days when employees and visitors need to carry umbrellas.{{cite book|author1=Nicolás Casas de Mendoza|author2=Calleja y Compañía, Pablo (Madrid)|title=Tratado de agricultura española teórico-práctica|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GftQ3LzDLY8C&dq=tiempo+de+lluvia&pg=PA210|accessdate=26 February 2013|year=1868|publisher=Pablo Calleja y Compañía|pages=210–}} Umbrellas can be closed and placed in the stand. They are usually dropped off upon entering the building and collected when leaving the building. This is useful because wet umbrellas may cause a wet floor, which could pose a hazard of slipping.{{cite book|author1=Andrew Bender|author2=Wendy Yanagihara|title=Tokyo|year=2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wg1trv9-2nAC&dq=umbrella+stand+use+Umbrellas+are+for+outdoors+and+should+not+be+carried+indoors+when+wet&pg=PA15|accessdate=26 February 2013|quote="..Umbrellas are intended for outdoor use and should not be dripping on the floors indoors. Please use the umbrella stand by the entrance.." |publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74059-876-7|pages=15–}}
Design
File:Wrought iron coat stand and umbrella stand (4858064613).jpg
A domestic umbrella stand is generally an upright container,{{cite web |title=Umbrella stand definition and meaning {{!}} Collins English Dictionary |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/umbrella-stand |website=www.collinsdictionary.com |language=en}} often a cylindrical tube,{{cite book|author=Kyle Husfloen|title=Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles 2008 Price Guide|date=3 October 2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZlJb23UyAnYC&dq=umbrella+stand&pg=PA348|accessdate=26 February 2013|publisher=F+W Media, Inc|isbn=978-0-89689-531-7|pages=348–}} stored near to the entrance of a house. In addition to acting as a functional piece of furniture, they can be aesthetic objects for decoration, and are manufactured from a wide variety of materials: clay, plastic, metal, and wood.
Stands in public buildings are often designed to hold greater numbers of umbrellas, and may be constructed with separate spaces for each umbrella. Stands with locks are used in Japan, to protect umbrellas from thieves.{{Cite web|url=https://www.picfair.com/pics/91501961-japanese-umbrella-lockers|title=Japanese Umbrella Lockers|website=Picfair.com|access-date=2017-01-17}}
Bag dispensers
File:Umbrella bag dispenser.jpg
File:Wet bag for wet umbrellas 20091204 002.JPG
A more recent variant of the umbrella stand used in modern retailers is the umbrella bag dispenser, which allows the user to insert the umbrella into a disposable waterproof bag when entering a building, and to carry that bag with them so as not to get the floors wet. This eliminates the need for a large umbrella stand, in buildings where storage space may be at a premium.