See How the Design of Chairs, Beds and Sofas Have Evolved Through History

Evidence suggests that furniture was used as far back as the Neolithic period and daily life without it is unimaginable. So how has furniture changed through the ages? From the exclusive and luxury furniture of Ancient Egypt, to the functional and streamlined design of the Bauhaus – these animations created by Angie’s List take you on a fascinating journey through the evolution of furniture design.

1. Chair

Furniture as we now know it was rare in Ancient Egypt. Most regular people used woven baskets to store their few belongings and would sit on mats or blankets. Furniture was an exclusive luxury saved for the rich and powerful. Between 1919 and 1933 The Bauhaus movement reinvented furniture design forever. The clean-lines we see in today’s furniture were first established by this influential German design studio. Bauhaus rejects unnecessary stylistic affections – instead prioritizing function, neutral colors and clean shapes.

2. Dining Set

During the early 18th century in Paris, the wealthy social elite were busy rejecting the regal seriousness of Baroque design for something more fun. The exuberant new Rococo style furniture opted for dense ornamentation, fluid lines, and pastel colors. At the other end of the spectrum is minimalism which rejects the lavish styles of the past. Utilizing few materials and clear lines – minimalism grew out of the New York art scene in the 1960’s. Whether it’s furniture or home products, in minimalism less is more.

3. Sofa

The ancient Greeks didn’t have much in the way of furniture, but what they did have was carefully crafted. A Greek couch was called a Kline and it was primarily used for reclining while eating.

Mid-Century Modern valued functionality, elegance and simplicity. Furniture from this era usually combines only two materials such as a vibrant color fabric paired with a rich wood. Furniture in this style was mass-produced and designed to be affordable to average homeowners, making it a hugely popular style.

4. Desk

Furniture from the Medieval period is instantly recognizable, with its ornate wood carvings and stark look. You won’t see many curved lines or circular forms in furniture from this time – It’s all about square or rectangular forms. In contrast, Organic Design brings us natural, smooth rounded forms. This design movement was pioneered by American architect and interior designer Frank Lloyd Wright who believed in creating harmony between people and nature. Organic design is all about the use of natural materials and the perfect balance between the manmade and natural worlds.

5. Bed

Renaissance furniture was heavily influenced by the classical antiquities of the past. At the end of the 15th century, trade brought immense wealth to Italy and the growing bourgeoisie demanded more high-quality furniture. Instead of looking to the past for inspiration, Art Deco design celebrated modern life in the 1920s and 30s with all of its luxury and sophistication. New materials of the time such as chrome, Bakelite and plate glass were combined with ivory, mahogany and dark lacquered surfaces to create classic furniture and architecture.

Sources :

Chairs

Richardson, K. (2018). The Furniture of Ancient Egypt. sofasandsectionals.com

Lovell, S. (2018). Design Staple: The Klismos Chair. deringhall.com

V&A. (2018). Armchair. collections.vam.ac.uk

Haines, T.C. (2015). Savonarola chair. antiquesdiva.com

Kisluk-Grosheide, Daniëlle O. French Furniture in the Eighteenth Century: Seat Furniture. metmuseum.org

V&A. (2018). Style Guide: Rococo. vam.ac.uk

Timeless Chesterfields. (2018). A British design classic: The history of the Chesterfield sofa.timelesschesterfields.com

Dining Chair Company. (2018). Cromwell. diningchair.co.uk

Juliao, D. (2018). Famous Art Nouveau Furniture Designers. study.com

Knoji. (2018). A History of Modern Chair Design: The Modern Movement. architecture.knoji.com