Furniture is anything that supports human activity or holds objects in a convenient position. It is also a form of decorative art, serving many functions. From a stick-back country chair to an ornate marquetry-work cabinet, furniture has evolved in both style and office fit out function. While the word "furniture" has a purely English definition, office fit out its continental cousin, furnishing, describes the same object better. Furniture is movable, but also presupposes some residential permanence.

Prices for sofas vary widely. Prices are largely driven by the raw materials and labor involved in making the piece. An example of this would be a $599-$999 sofa, which is likely to have 1.8-density foam cushions. These will likely break down in two to three years and office refurbishment won't be as comfortable to sit on. Luckily, there are many low-cost options available, so you're likely to find something you love for less than that price.

The cost of furniture is low compared to other goods, but the average price of a sofa has dropped 42 percent since 2000 - without sacrificing quality. And many consumers don't know where to find inexpensive furniture. The result is a fragmented market where consumers have to sift through a myriad of different products to find the one they want. Traditional retail furniture stores, such as Ashley Furniture, reach the majority of consumers by running ads in local newspapers and office refurbishment TV.

The fifth through fifteenth centuries saw the emergence of many styles of furniture. The style that evolved in late antiquity likely lasted throughout the Middle Ages. The Bayeux tapestry, for example, depicts Edward the Confessor sitting on a seat similar to the Roman sella curulis. Most furniture produced during the Middle Ages was crafted of heavy oak, office fit out and featured carved designs. While there are many different styles of furniture, office fit out they all share some fundamental characteristics.