Furniture
The term ‘furniture’ refers to moveable objects that are used to support human activities in the built environment. However, it can also be used more widely to refer to fitted objects and equipment.
Furniture tends to be of a craft-based design type that can be functional, decorative, symbolic, ceremonial, and so on. Many different materials are used in the manufacture of furniture, most commonly; timber, metal, plastic, fabrics, leather, and so on.
Furniture is subject to frequent changes in fashion, and tastes for furniture can vary widely from person to person.
Some of the main types of furniture include:
- Furniture for sitting: Chairs, stools, sofas, futons, etc.
- Furniture for eating or working: Tables, desks, etc.
- Furniture for sleeping: Beds, cots, bunks, etc.
- Furniture for storage: chests, wardrobes, etc.
- Garden furniture: Chairs, tables, etc.
- Street furniture: Benches, barriers, street lamps, traffic lights, bollards, etc.
Furniture can be grouped together with other components as 'FF&E' (furniture, fixture and equipment). FF&E might be procured separately to the main construction contract (or elements of them), particularly by clients that already have systems in place for procuring fixed and loose furniture, fittings and equipment; for example, schools, universities, or hospitals. For more information, see Furniture fixtures and equipment FF&E.
Interior designers are often associated with specifying furniture, analysing how a space is to be used and how best it can be planned with the most appropriate objects, considering functionality, aesthetic, space efficiency, circulation requirements, and so on. For more information, see Interior design
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations define requirements for the fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture, furnishings and other products containing upholstery. These Regulations are enforced by Trading Standards.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.
Construction Management, 8 July
NEETs crisis drives interest in trades, but apprenticeships barriers remain.
Passive fire protection webinar
MEP services penetration seals.
Where its at podcast (and video) - The role of the Architectural Technologist as an Expert Witness.
More than 200 remarkable buildings added to SAVE’s Buildings at Risk register.
Government scraps pre-application consultation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Historic England and infrastructure
New projects offer opportunities for the historic environment and local communities.
Construction Management, 2 July
Construction deaths halve in two years.
Green Book changes to drive investment in all parts of UK.
Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES)
CIAT briefing on response to consultations for privately rented non-domestic properties.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.