Furniture facts for kids

A comfy red sofa.

Furniture means all the useful things in our homes and other buildings. Think of chairs, tables, beds, and cupboards – these are all types of furniture! People use furniture to sit, sleep, or store their belongings like clothes and dishes.

Furniture can be made from many different materials. Common materials include wood, metal, plastic, and even fabric. It often uses parts like screws and nails to hold it all together.

Different rooms have different kinds of furniture. For example, an office has desks and office chairs. A dining room has a table and chairs for eating meals. Classrooms and theaters have rows of seats for many people.

A simple bedroom with furniture.

In a bedroom, you'll find a bed where you sleep. It usually has sheets, a bedspread, blankets, and pillows. Next to the bed, there might be a small table called a nightstand. You might put a lamp or a book there. A dresser is another common piece of bedroom furniture. It has drawers to keep your clothes tidy. Sometimes, a mirror sits on top of the dresser.

What is Furniture Made Of?
- Common Materials for Furniture
Different Types of Furniture
- Furniture for Sitting and Resting
- Furniture for Storing Things
Furniture in Different Rooms
Related pages
Images for kids
See also

What is Furniture Made Of?

Furniture is built using many different materials. The choice of material depends on what the furniture is for. It also depends on how it should look and how strong it needs to be.

Common Materials for Furniture

Wood: This is a very popular material. It's strong and can be carved into many shapes. Wood furniture can last a long time.
Metal: Metals like steel or aluminum are used for strong, modern furniture. They are often found in outdoor furniture or office chairs.
Plastic: Plastic is lightweight and can be made in many colors. It's often used for outdoor chairs or children's furniture.
Fabric: Sofas and armchairs are covered with soft fabrics. These can be cotton, linen, or synthetic materials.
Leather: Leather is a durable and stylish material. It's often used for sofas and chairs.
Glass: Glass is sometimes used for tabletops or shelves. It gives furniture a light and open look.

Different Types of Furniture

Furniture helps us do many things in our daily lives. Each type has a special job.

Furniture for Sitting and Resting

Chairs: These are for sitting. They come in many styles, like dining chairs, office chairs, and armchairs.
Sofas and Couches: These are long seats for more than one person. They are usually found in living rooms.
Beds: Beds are made for sleeping. They come in different sizes, like twin, full, queen, and king.
Benches: A long seat, often without a backrest. Benches can be found indoors or outdoors.

Furniture for Storing Things

Tables: Tables have a flat top and legs. We use them for eating, working, or holding items.
Cupboards and Cabinets: These have doors and shelves. They are used to store dishes, food, or other household items.
Dressers and Chests of Drawers: These have drawers for storing clothes.
Bookcases and Shelves: These are used to hold books, decorations, or other small items.
Wardrobes: A large cabinet for hanging clothes.

Furniture in Different Rooms

Every room in a house or building has furniture that fits its purpose.

Living Room Furniture

The living room is a place to relax and spend time with family and friends.

Sofas and armchairs are central to a living room.
Coffee tables are placed in front of sofas.
TV stands hold televisions and media devices.
Bookcases or display cabinets might hold books and decorative items.

Dining Room Furniture

The dining room is where people eat meals together.

A large dining table is the main piece of furniture.
Dining chairs surround the table.
Sideboards or buffets might be used to store dishes or serve food.

Bedroom Furniture

Bedrooms are for sleeping and getting ready.

The bed is the most important piece.
Nightstands are next to the bed.
Dressers or wardrobes store clothes.
Sometimes, a small desk and chair are in a bedroom for studying.

Office Furniture

Offices are places for work or study.

Desks are essential for writing or using a computer.
Office chairs are designed to be comfortable for long periods of sitting.
Filing cabinets help organize documents.

Cabinet making

A wooden bed.
A wooden shelving unit.
A modern dining table and chairs.
An ornate armchair.
A brown sofa.
A small stool.
A cabinet for music sheets.
Children's furniture.

Images for kids

Ancient Greek chairs.
A Gothic style cabinet from the 1400s.
The Red and Blue Chair, designed in 1917.
A modern table made with wood and stainless steel.
Detail of a Chinese moon-gate bed from the 1800s.
An exhibit display from 1957.
The Seated Woman of Çatalhöyük, an ancient figurine from around 6000 BC, showing early furniture.
A dresser in a house from Skara Brae, an ancient settlement in Scotland.
Ancient figurines sitting on miniature chairs from 4900-4750 BC.
An ancient figurine on a miniature chair from 4750-4700 BC.
An ancient Egyptian stool with a woven seat (1991–1450 BC).
A jewelry chest from ancient Egypt (1887–1813 BC).
A chair belonging to Hatnefer from ancient Egypt (1492–1473 BC).
The famous Throne of Tutankhamun from ancient Egypt (1336–1327 BC).
A bronze foot shaped like a sphinx from around 600 BC.
A bronze tripod stand from the early 6th century BC.
An ancient Greek carving showing someone on a chair (410-400 BC).
An illustration of Roman furniture details from 1900.
A bronze tripod base from around 100 BC.
A treasure chest from the 1st century AD, found in Pompeii.
A couch and footstool with bone and glass decorations (1st–2nd century AD).
The Throne of Dagobert, parts of which date back to the 12th century.
A Gothic style small chest from the 1300s.
A Gothic chest from the late 1400s.
Another Gothic chest from the late 1400s.
A Romanian analogion (a stand for books) from the 1500s.
A wooden sideboard from around 1524.
A carved wooden wardrobe from around 1530.
A decorative chest from the 1550s.
A cupboard from around 1570.
A Baroque four-poster bed from around 1650.
A Baroque pier table from the late 1600s.
A Baroque cupboard by André Charles Boulle from around 1700.
A Baroque commode (chest of drawers) from the early 1700s.
A Baroque slant-front desk from around 1715–1725.
A Rococo style console table from the 18th century.
A Rococo commode from around 1745-1749.
A Rococo slant-top desk from around 1750.
A Rococo side table from around 1755-1760.
The famous Bureau du Roi (King's Desk) in Rococo style (1760–1769).
A commode in Louis XVI style from 1772.
Marie-Antoinette's roll-top desk in Louis XVI style from 1784.
Marie-Antoinette's writing table in Louis XVI style from 1784.
A Louis XVI style folding stool from 1786.
A Louis XVI style armchair from 1788.
An Empire style desk chair from around 1805–1808.
An Empire style console table from 1804–1814.
Napoleon I's Empire style throne from 1805.
An Egyptian Revival style coin cabinet from 1809–1819.
The cradle of Napoleon's son, made in 1811.
A Gothic Revival style chair from 1845–1865.
A tête-à-tête (loveseat) from 1850–1860.
A desk designed in 1870–1871.
A Rococo Revival style table from around 1880.
An Art Nouveau style chair from around 1883.
An Art Nouveau desk from the 1900 Paris Exposition.
A Chinese low-back armchair from the late 1500s to 1700s.
A Chinese pedestal desk from 1644–1911.
A Japanese chest from 1750–1800.
A Chinese moon-gate bed from around 1876.
A Chinese canopy bed from the late 1800s or early 1900s.
A Japanese writing table from the early 1900s.
An ancient Egyptian armchair of Tutankhamun (1336-1326 BC).
A Neoclassical chair from around 1772.
A Louis XVI style armchair from 1780–1785.
A Louis XVI style settee from the late 1700s.