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 and news
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Ireland's National Residential Retrofit Plan
Staged initiatives introduced step by step.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.
Reflecting on the work of the CIOB Academy
Looking back on 2025 and where it's going next.
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.