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 office fit out refurbishment 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 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, computer labs, and auditoriums. This often means rearranging or removing existing furniture, or outfitting an auditorium with flexible furnishings. For office fit out example, Aurora Elementary School in West Fargo, ND, office refurbishment 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, 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 lower wages have contributed to this trend. However, consumers often focus more on price and appearance than on materials and quality. For 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.