Furniture is a collection of items used for supporting various human activities such as seating (stools, chairs and sofas), eating or working with an item (tables, desks and benches) or resting and sleeping (beds). It can also serve a decorative or symbolic purpose. It can be made from a wide range of materials, depending on the function and style required.
Choosing home furniture can be fun and challenging at the same time. The challenge is to find useful pieces that reflect your style and work well together. In addition, you must consider the size of your home and the space available for furniture. It is important to prioritize the furniture needs of each room and family members when making your selections. For example, if you have young children, it is a good idea to choose durable and stain-resistant fabrics such as linen or tweed.
In early times, furniture was typically constructed in a functional rather than decorative style and it was often multifunctional such as a trunk that opened to form a table or a chair that transformed into a bed. The development of upholstery was an important step in the evolution of furniture, providing comfort and concealing the construction.
Carving in wood was common in Egypt at the time of the pyramids and animal legs were a popular design element on biers, chairs and beds. It continued in ancient Greece and Rome and was a common feature on thrones. In the Middle Ages, carved designs were on doors of monasteries and on the fronts of chests. The Renaissance saw an increase in the use of ornamentation on wooden furniture.