10 Fun Furniture Facts That Nobody Told You Before

Did you know that a person on average spends around one-third of their life sleeping on the bed? Or did you know the first bed on earth could hold as many as 65 sleepers? There is so much about furniture that you never knew! Archaeological research shows that the first piece of furniture dates back to 3200 BCE. We bet you never even thought that your simple piece of furniture in the corner of the room would have an enriching history. If are just as much curious as us about unearthing some fun furniture facts, here are a few interesting things to know. Let’s go through everything you need to know all about furniture!

Interesting Fun Facts about Furniture You Never Knew

Have you ever thought about how a non-descript, non-assuming piece of furniture could be a part of an interesting story? From sofas being designed by fashion legends to Japanese beds, the world of furniture is full of surprising facts. So, let’s dig into some facts about the furniture industry you wish you never knew before!

Furniture Fact #1: A Sofa can Live around 8 Years 

Did you know your sofa might be a silent witness to over 1,200 meals during its average lifespan of eight years? That’s a lot of movie nights, family gatherings, and popcorn spills — all comfortably supported by your favourite couch!

Furniture Fact #2: Yves Saint Laurent Designed the Most Expensive Chair 

Designed by Yves Saint Laurent, “Dragon Chair” has been sold for a whopping $38 million in 2009. Though he owned the chair, Eileen Gray was the creative mind behind it. Saint Laurent was the first living person to be honoured by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1983. However, one of the most interesting furniture fun facts is that he bought the chair at a lower price decades later.

Furniture Fact #3: More than 700 Visitors are Welcome to Your Sofa

One of the fun furniture facts is that an average sofa transforms into a cosy seat for 782 visitors over its lifespan. Needless to say, your faithful coach has seen you evolve year after year! That awkward first date, heart-to-heart talks with friends, and the occasional pillow fight — that’s right, your comfy sofa has been silently observing your shenanigans all these years.

Furniture Fact #4: Table Originally Comes from a Flat Board 

Did you know a dinner table in your home has Roman roots? The word is derived from the Latin word, “tabula.” The piece of furniture resembled an ancient whiteboard and it was coated with wax to write down messages. So, board games were a popular pastime and tabula would serve as a game board itself.

Furniture Fact #5: One of the Oldest Bookcases on Earth 

Known as one of the oldest bookcases in the world, The Bodleian Library at Oxford also stands out for one of its peculiar features. Every book is chained to the bookcase to prevent manuscripts from theft. You could read every book; however, the books would be secured with a short chain.

Furniture Fact #6: Ever Seen a Portable Bed? 

The word “tatami” comes from the verb “tatamu” which means “to fold or pile up.” Earlier, tatami was thin and could easily be folded for storage.  It is made of rice straw and is a prime example of eco-friendly furniture. Though many do not know this, having a room with eight tatami mats was a sign of high status.

Furniture Fact #7: Third-Most Expensive Household Item 

Did you know it would cost you Rs. 7.5lakhs-Rs. 15lakhs to furnish a 3 BHK house? Furniture is the third-most expensive household item in the world after your house and car. Instead of buying furniture, you can simply rent furniture. Renting will not only help you save big but you will also be free from commitment.

Furniture Fact #8: Charles Darwin Invented a Type of Chair 

Though best known for his work as a naturalist, Charles Darwin played a role in the evolution of office chairs. He is credited with modifying his existing armchair because he replaced the legs with wheels from his bed to improve mobility. Technically, Darwin did not invent the concept of a wheeled chair but he contributed to its development.

Furniture Fact #9: Ceremonial Furniture was the Oldest One 

One of the interesting facts about furniture is that the oldest surviving one is ceremonial furniture dating back to around 1450 BCE. Known as Renseneb’s Chair, it belonged to a scribe and was made of wood with intricate ivory veneer. You can find examples of such chairs in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Furniture Fact #10: We Spend Half Our Lives in Bed 

We know you will love this fun furniture fact! Research suggests that we spend around one-third of our entire lives asleep in bed. So, a person spends about 26 years sleeping in their lifetime. This means roughly 9,470 days!

From swivel chairs to beds we spend a third of our lives in, furniture comes with a fascinating history full of surprises. Here, we have covered everything related to daily conveniences, symbols of status, and beyond. So, the next time you relax on your couch, you will recall all these interesting facts about furniture. Of course, you can try flexible rental options, instead of buying, only with RentoMojo!

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What are some fun facts about tables?
Believe it or not, the tables we use for meals weren’t always for dining! Early tables were used by Egyptians for games and by the Chinese for creating art. Next time you gather around a table, you can appreciate its surprising history.

2. Why is furniture called furniture?
The word “furniture” doesn’t directly relate to its function. It comes from the French word “fourniture,” meaning “equipment” or “supplies.” In other words, furniture is called furniture because it furnishes a space with what it needs.

3. Who invented the furniture?
Pinpointing a single inventor for furniture is impossible! The need for elevated surfaces and seating likely arose as early as prehistoric times, with the earliest surviving furniture pieces dating back thousands of years.

4. What is the oldest furniture in the world?
The oldest furniture title belongs to a collection of stone furniture from Skara Brae in Scotland, dating back to 3100-2500 BC. These include beds, dressers, and even cupboards, all carved from sturdy stone!

5. What is the golden age of furniture?
The title of “Golden Age” is debated, but two strong contenders are the 18th century in France, known for its incredibly refined and artistic pieces, and the 18th century in England, celebrated for the widespread use of beautiful mahogany and innovative designs.