Furnishings
Furnishings, sometimes referred to as soft furnishings or upholstery, are components that incorporate soft material and help create a pleasant and comfortable environment, and complement the furniture and fittings inside buildings. Furnishings can be made of fabric, chenille, velvet, silk, fur, faux-fur, cloth, foam, rubber, and so on.
Common types of furnishings include:
- Curtains.
- Cushions.
- Bedding and mattresses.
- Wall hangings and tapestries.
- Rugs.
- Chair coverings.
- Sofas.
- Bean bags.
- Carpets.
- Doormats.
- Window Coverings.
Furnishings should be carefully selected and designed to enhance the quality of a room, often adding colour, texture and elegance to furniture. The soft material of some furnishings can also enhance the energy efficiency of a room by retaining heat and keeping it warm. They may also improve the sound insulation properties as soft materials absorb sound waves more effectively than hard surfaces which reflect sound back into the space and can result in echoes (or a longer reverberation time).
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 Wiki
- Automated blinds.
- Bay window.
- Bringing a breath of fresh air to the design of indoor environments.
- Construction staples.
- Decoration.
- Finishes.
- Fittings.
- Fixtures.
- Furniture.
- Furniture fixtures and equipment FF&E.
- Home improvement.
- How to fit carpet.
- Indoor environmental quality.
- Interior designer.
- Maintenance Repair Operations MRO.
- Stain.
- Tiles.
- Types of blinds.
- Types of carpet.
- Types of window.
Featured articles and news
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.