The Basic Functions of Furniture

In every age, furniture is made for the same basic purposes. Tables, desks and workbenches provide space for work or dining. Cabinets, cases, and chests are built for storage. Beds, lounges, sofas, chairs and benches are made for resting. Today we have furniture for every imaginable situation, from a baby’s high chair to a steel office desk. They ranges from soft, pillow-like upholstered sofas to sleek tables of metal and glass.

Furniture are built to make people’s lives easier and more comfortable. The furniture industry divides them into various broad groups. One way of grouping furniture is according to where and how it is used. Furniture that is used at home makes up another large group. And also it can be classified by its style.

Case goods are pieces that provide interior storage, such as desks, drawers, cabinets, and bookshelves. This term is originally applied to wooden furniture but now includes furniture made from metal, plastic and other materials. Although the primary function of case goods is to organize various home items, these pieces of furniture are also installed inside homes as an added décor. It contributes greatly to the overall ambiance of the house.

Upholstered furniture is padded and covered with fabric, leather, or vinyl. It usually has four basic parts: the frame, the supporting foundation, the cushion or padding, and the outer covering. Fabrics range from basket weaves to plush velvets and corduroys.

Institutional furniture is designed and built for public buildings, hospitals, hotels, motels, nursing homes, and theaters. Such items look more basic, far from intrinsic designs seen at homes. These pieces of furniture look plainer yet clean. Examples are semi-reclining seats seen in movie theaters, reclining beds in hospitals, and beds in hotels and hospitals.

Meanwhile, business furniture includes desks, filing cabinets, storage units, and even to hold computers and other data-processing equipment. These are obviously seen inside buildings housing many offices, and in other business establishments like a restaurant, shopping mall or other stores. Some business furniture can be customized to bear the name of the company.

Home furniture is used for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. These pieces are smaller than business furniture, more for personal use only. Home furniture is probably the most varied set of furniture. The range of designs is endless to match specific houses.

Occasional furniture applies to a wide range of tables, cabinets, room dividers, shelving units, grandfather clocks, and other accessories. These are most often used during festivities, parties or other social events. Such tables and chairs are made of lightweight materials to be easily carried around.

Juvenile furniture includes all the baby items, such as cribs, and high chairs, as well as furniture designed and built in smaller sizes for children of various ages. These are commonly distinguished easily from the very bright colors, the animated designs and their smaller sizes compared to regular items.

Casual furniture is any other chairs, tables, and other pieces that can be used either indoors or outdoors, on patios and lawns. Most casual furniture are made of plastic (monoblocs) or wood. They weigh relatively lighter than others in comparison, and thus, are easier to move and carry around. These are also the pieces of furniture brought during outdoor trips.

Indonesia Outdoor Furniture by David Urmann