The term furniture derives from French fourniture, which means "equipment" or "supplies." It is derived from the Latin adjective mobilis, meaning "movable." The word is more appropriate for the furniture of continental countries, where its construction and design are often influenced by local artisans. Regardless of language, furniture has a number of important properties. The following are some of these characteristics. Read on to learn more about furniture's origins and office fit out evolution.

In schools, the furnishings play an even greater role in a student's learning environment. The collaborative learning environment is increasingly prevalent in classrooms, lecture halls, office fit out computer labs, and auditoriums. This often means rearranging or removing existing furniture, or outfitting an auditorium with flexible furnishings. For example, Aurora Elementary School in West Fargo, ND, recently eliminated built-in furniture to make the classrooms more adaptable and flexible. While the elimination of built-in furniture may seem like a major change, office refurbishment it makes the process of adding new furniture relatively easy.

Unlike most consumer products, the cost of furniture has fallen significantly in recent years. Cheaper materials, economies of scale, and office refurbishment fit out lower wages have contributed to this trend. However, consumers often focus more on price and appearance than on materials and quality. For office refurbishment fit out instance, a sofa can cost up to $3,000 in an urban area, while a similar-looking sofa can cost $1,000 in a suburb. If the quality is substandard, the furniture can easily break down and not serve its purpose.