Scandinavian Furniture - What is It?

Scandinavian furniture is an interesting category of furniture. However many of us hear this term applied to furniture and aren't always sure why. In this article we'll discuss what it means to be a piece of Scandinavian furniture and why this category continues to evolve and grow.

Scandinavian furniture originates from a region that includes the countries of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. This region has a rich cultural history that goes back even beyond the era of the Vikings who themselves were great explorers. Many instances of furniture from this era have been discovered including simple slatted beds and other furniture that proved that not only could the Vikings build great wooden ships but also wooden furniture as well.

The category itself didn't really come into focus though until after the events of WW2. It was after this time frame that the development of mass production created the ability to create and build furniture with high quality, being less costly and making it more affordable for everyone. This is one of the most important principles to Scandinavian furniture in that it isn't quality made furniture for just a few but made for everyone.

In the 1960's many Scandinavian furniture manufacturers began working with different materials to create furniture that could almost be considered art. Fusing glass, metal, wood, plastics and other materials together created interesting and modern designs that hadn't been tried in furniture before. So much so that a commission was set up honoring furniture manufacturers every year for excellence and promoting Scandinavian furniture worldwide. This attention to the form of the furniture was another important feature to Scandinavian furniture.

Around this same time frame manufacturers in Scandinavia also began experimenting with adding function into the furniture that had not been there before. Concealed storage compartments, slide out tables and furniture designed with multiple options to enhance the seating experience. Many of these manufacturers created innovation into their furniture and this quality of adding function into furniture was another important feature in Scandinavian furniture design.

<a onClick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href="http://www.lifestylesfurniture.com/scandinavian_furniture.php3">Scandinavian furniture</a> is a combination of features that make the category a popular choice for almost anyone. Quality made furniture that is both affordable, functional and has a unique form represent the major qualities that make up Scandinavian furniture. This furniture comes from a rich history of wood craftsmen originating in the Scandinavian region of Europe. This history combined with a desire to make furniture that everyone can afford and a mixture of form and function define Scandinavian furniture and the reason this category of furniture continues to still be popular today.