INTRODUCTION
Bira Furniture is one of the oldest wooden factory in Nepal, established in
1963 A.D, which is dealing with all kinds of wooden products,
manufacturing and supplying furniture, door/window frames, trusses,
parquets, wall paneling etc.
Both hardwoods and softwoods are used in furniture manufacturing, and
each has their own specific uses. quality furniture is made out of hardwood
which is made from oak, maple, mahogany, teak, walnut. Uttis is mostly
used in structural work of furniture where as Sisau is used in the exposed
parts. Highest quality wood will have been air dried to rid it of its moisture.
For furnishings, Indian and Chinese fabrics are extensively used such as
velvet, cotton, resin, leather and synthetic leather etc. And for finishing the wooden furniture
they used paint, veneer, Formica and deco paint (for plastic like finish. Most furniture is
manufactured to standard measurements.
Living Room Couch and Furniture Dimensions
Although one couch may look very different from another sofa because of style, color, but most
sofas share the same approximate measurements.
Here are the standard table and couch dimensions:
• Three-seat sofa: 35 inches deep by 84 inches wide
• Loveseat: 35 inches deep by 60 inches wide
• Armchair: 35 inches deep by 35 inches wide
• Coffee Table: 48 inches long by 30 inches wide
• Square end table: 24 inches long by 24 inches wide
• Rectangular end table: 28 inches long by 25 inches wide
Bedroom Furniture Measurements
The bedroom usually has a bed, one or more nightstand, and a chest of drawers. The
measurements for beds are more standardized than for any other piece of furniture, due to
needing a standard size of mattress and bedding.
• Twin-size bed: 39 inches wide by 80 inches long
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• Double or full-size bed: 54 inches wide by 80 inches long
• Queen-size bed: 60 inches wide by 80 inches long
• Eastern king-size bed: 76 inches wide by 80 inches long
• California king-size bed: 72 inches wide by 84 inches long
• Chest of drawers: 30 inches wide by 18 inches deep
• Nightstand: 18 inches wide by 18 inches deep
Dining Room Furniture Measurements
Dining room tables and chairs are also usually made according to standard measurements. These
have many variations for different kinds of dining tables. Chairs will slightly vary in size as well.
• Dining table with one leaf: 72 inches long by 36 inches wide
• Round dining table for four people: From a 36-inch diameter to a 44-inch diameter
• Side chair: 18 inches deep by 18 inches wide
• Armchair: 18 inches deep by 22 inches wide
(source: https://www.thespruce.com/standard-furniture-measurements-1391374)
Furniture Joints
There are several common woodworking joints, specifically those carpentry joints in furniture
that affect its strength and life. There are fundamentally three types of wood joint: screwed or
nailed and glued, machine-generated woodworking joints and hand-crafted carpentry joints
Generally, the more difficult the joint, the stronger it is. Here's a sampling of popular joints,
some simple, some more difficult.
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Joint Image Description
The end of a piece of wood is butted against another piece of wood.
This is the simplest and weakest joint. Of those, there is the a) T-
Butt joint
butt, b) end-to-end butt, c) T-lap d) Miter butt and e) edge-to-edge
butt.
The end of a piece of wood is laid over and connected to another
Lap joint
piece of wood. This is the next simplest and weakest joint.
Also known as open tenon, open mortise and tenon, or tongue and
fork joints, this joint is where the through mortise is open on one side
Bridle joint and forms a fork shape. The mate has a through tenon or necked
joint. Bridle joints are commonly used to join rafter tops, also used
in scarf joints and sometimes sill corner joints in timber framing.
The end of a piece of wood is butted against another piece of wood.
This is reinforced with dowel pins. This joint is quick to make with
Dowel joint
production line machinery and so is a very common joint in factory-
made furniture.
Similar to a butt joint, but both pieces have been beveled (usually at
Mitre joint
a 45 degree angle).
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A corner joint with interlocking square fingers. Receives pressure
Box joint
from two directions.
Dovetail A form of box joint where the fingers are locked together by
joint diagonal cuts. More secure than a box joint.[1]
Also called a housing joint or trench joint, a slot is cut across the
Dado joint grain in one piece for another piece to sit in; shelves on a bookshelf
having slots cut into the sides of the shelf, for example.
Groove joint Like the dado joint, except that the slot is cut with the grain.
Each piece has a groove cut all along one edge, and a thin, deep ridge
Tongue and
(the tongue) on the opposite edge. If the tongue is unattached, it is
groove
considered a spline joint.
A stub (the tenon) will fit tightly into a hole cut for it (the mortise).
Mortise and This is a hallmark of Mission Style furniture, and also the traditional
tenon method of jointing frame and panel members in doors, windows, and
cabinets. This joint is a good strong joint to use.
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Birdsmouth Also called a bird's beak cut, this joint used in roof construction. A
joint V-shaped cut in the rafter connects the rafter to the wall-plate.[2]
A joint in which the two members are joined by removing material
Cross Lap
from each at the point of intersection so that they overlap.
Splice joint A joint used to attach two members end to end.
Nontraditional woodworking joints[edit]
Joint Image Description
Pocket-hole
A hidden screw is driven into the joint at an angle.
joinery
biscuit A wooden oval is glued into two crescent-shaped holes.
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Wood panels stitched together, usually with copper wire, and glued
stitch and glue
together with epoxy resin.
(source: https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/joinery/basic-
woodworking-joints)
Other connections/fittings used in Furniture
To properly assemble the furniture’s, Wide range of fixings, connectors, screws, nuts, bolts and
caps must be needed. These should be Suitable for use with wood, man-made panels and other
materials, and available in a range of finishes. Connecting Fittings are used for joining two
panels together, some fittings are for a permanent joint whereas other fittings such as Cams &
Dowels also known as KD Fittings can be taken apart allowing you to dismantle furniture. Cams
& Dowels are ideal for self-assembly furniture, they are easy to use and fit into pre-drilled holes
in the board. Euro fit Direct stock a wide range of Connection Fittings for most wooden
applications.
Furniture Locks
Their main function is to lock the drawers or different furniture doors. Furniture locks have
different body dimensions and cylinder diameter. They can be made in different finishing (brass,
nickel or zinc plated). Their primer function is to make simple drawer opening process and
automatically closing process.
Hinges
They have same function as door hinges- to connect door wing with door frame and to make
possible door moving as much as automatically closing of door. This group include: flush, crack,
hidden and most popular concealed hinge (for wood, aluminum and glass).
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Sliders
Most older or inexpensive pieces of furniture and cabinets use
wooden sliders, upon which the drawer slides as it is opened or
closed. Wood slides can be lubricated with paraffin wax. Newer
furniture and cabinets may use plastic friction slides, or more
elaborate bearings slide, which will provide smoother operation with
less binding. Modern drawer slides are usually categorized in how
they are mounted, including center mount, side mount, bottom mount
and Europe an mount drawer slides.
Supports
Supports are not directly included to furniture hardware group but they
are very interesting for hardware shops as additional offer, used to equip
an interior
Corner brackets
They are attached to the underside of the rectangular furniture using
screws, hanger bolts and standard or wing nuts, in the interior corner of
the table.
Brackets join the furniture leg, side rails, and top together to provide
additional support for the piece of furniture, and reduce the stress and
wear on the individual components of the furniture.
Wood finishing
Wood finishing refers to the process of refining or protecting a wooden surface, especially in the
production of furniture where typically it represents between 5 and 30% of manufacturing costs.
Finishing is the final step of the manufacturing process that gives wood surfaces desirable
characteristics, including enhanced appearance and increased resistance to moisture and other
environmental agents
A good finish will stop wood from Drying, Cracking, Swelling and shrinking due to weather
changes, Simple damage (such as usage scratches) and Stains.
The Basics of Wood Finishing
• the process of wood finishing actually starts with preparing the wood surface for the final
finish to be applied and that process typically involves some sanding
• After sanding and getting the surface right, the surface has to be primed to treat
unintentional imperfections on the surface such as holes from knots or nails. these gaps
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and holes are filled by the use of wood putty, wood fillers and in cases of larger holes a
combination
• If the color of the wood surface need to change, then the next step would be to use a
range of wood coloring techniques, from wood staining to bleaching. For natural colors
colored finish such as colored wax is used.
• Lastly, Final finishing is applied as needed such as shiny surface.
Different Techniques of applying Wood Finishes
• Surface Finish: Surface finishes applied on the surface of wood material. This type of
finishing is easier to apply and leaves a natural look to woods.
• Penetrating finish: This type of finishing is applied inside furniture and is durable but it
doesn’t create a natural look on walls. Linseed, Danish, and Tung oil is a type of
penetrating oil which makes a natural and bold look at wood material.
• Evaporative finish
• Reactive Finish
• Coalescing finish
Different Techniques of applying Wood Finishes
• Dye: Dyes matches the existing color or it also changes the color of the surface. Dyes are
the kind of wood finishes which are available in both water-based and oil-based types.
These wood finishes protect interior wooden surfaces.
• Oil finishes: Oil wood finishes improve the appearance of unfurnished wood. Natural
oils that are present in the wood dries out over time. Oils finishes replace the natural oils
and nourish the wood grain. It protects the wood well for internal and external use.
• Varnish: Varnishes are made up of oil, solvents, and resins. They are usually clear and
transparent. They give a better UV protection. Varnishes dry slowly. Application of the
varnish on the top of dyes gives a better protection.
• Shellac: Shellac is a natural wax finish which is secreted from a bug which thrives on a
tree. A mixture of the collected wax from the tree and an Alcohol solvent gives better
consistency. Shellac is available in a variety of colors. It’s easy to apply and dries
quickly. It gives a glossy finish to the wood.
• Polyrethane : Basically a liquid plastic that provides a durable finish when it cures. It’s
available in gloss to matte finishes and is applied by wiping, brushing, or spraying . A
solvaent is necessary to clean brushes or spray guns, so throw –away cloths or even o
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paper towels often used .Polyurethane does not dry quickly, which make it prone to
collecting dust as it sets up
• Polyacrylic: . A water-based polyurethane which dries quickly to tough, durable finish. It
clean up with soap and water and is usually applied by brushing or spraying .Polyacrylic
is very easy to use and cleanup.
source: http://www.thefurnitureconnoisseur.com/complete-guide-to-wood-finishes/)
• Stain: Wood stains changes or improves the wood color. They are present in different
colors. The wood stains perform better if they are darker than the color of the wood. It
increases the visibility of the grains. They don’t protect the wood. Application of wood
stain is followed by a coating of wood finish for better protection.
• Lacquers: Lacquers are thin solvent based finishes as compared to the other finishes.
They are usually applied by spraying. Lacquers dry fast because it contains evaporating
the solvent. It riches deeper into the wood and nourishes the grains and bring out the
natural beauty of the wood. Lacquers bring a glossy look to the wood.
• Water-Based Finishes: Water based finishes provide a clean and clear finish and have
little odor than the oil based finishes. They are thin in consistency, so they dry easily.
They give a natural appearance to the wooden surface. The flexibility of water-based
wood finish allows it to adhere to any surface quickly.
French Polish: Since 19th-century French polishing technique is in use. It is a classic
technique of wood finishing. It is a mixture of shellac and alcohol. A rubbing pad
lubricated with oil is used for the application of this finish on the wooden surface. It gives
the glossiest appearance to the wooden surface
source:https://aapkapainter.com/blog/different-wood-finishes/)
Upholstery
Upholstery is defined as the fabric and stuffing used to add padding to furniture, or the business
of covering furniture with fabric. When choosing upholstery, one should be aware of its
durability, clean ability, and resistance to soil and fading. In upholstery, the higher the thread
count, the more tightly woven the fabric is, and the better it will wear. Thread count refers to the
number of threads per square inch of fabric.
Natural Fabrics
Linen: Linen is best suited for formal living rooms or adult areas because it soils and wrinkles
easily. And, it won't withstand heavy wear. However, linen does resist pilling and fading. Soiled
linen upholstery must be professionally cleaned to avoid shrinkage.
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Leather: This tough material can be gently vacuumed, damp-wiped as needed, and cleaned with
leather conditioner or saddle soap.
Cotton: This natural fiber provides good resistance to wear, fading, and pilling. It is less
resistant to soil, wrinkling, and fire. Surface treatments and blending with other fibers often
atone for these weaknesses. Durability and use depend on the weave and finish. Damask weaves
are formal; canvas (duck and sailcloth) is more casual and more durable.
Wool: Sturdy and durable, wool and wool blends offer good resistance to pilling, fading,
wrinkling, and soil. Generally, wool is blended with a synthetic fiber to make it easier to clean
and to reduce the possibility of felting the fibers (causing them to bond together until they
resemble felt). Blends can be spot-cleaned when necessary.
Cotton Blend: Depending on the weave, cotton blends can be sturdy, family-friendly fabrics. A
stain-resistant finish should be applied for everyday use.
Vinyl: Easy-care and less expensive than leather, vinyl are ideal for busy family living and
dining rooms. Durability depends on quality
Silk: This delicate fabric is only suitable for adult areas, such as formal living rooms. It must be
professionally cleaned if soiled.
Synthetic Fabrics
Acetate: Developed as imitation silk, acetate can withstand mildew, pilling, and shrinking.
However, it offers only fair resistance to soil and tends to wear, wrinkle, and fade in the sun. It's
not a good choice for furniture that will get tough everyday use.
Acrylic: This synthetic fiber was developed as imitation wool. It resists wear, wrinkling, soiling,
and fading. Low-quality acrylic may pill excessively in areas that receive high degrees of
abrasion. High-quality acrylics are manufactured to pill significantly less.
Nylon: Rarely used alone, nylon is usually blended with other fibers to make it one of the
strongest upholstery fabrics. Nylon is very resilient; in a blend, it helps eliminate the crushing of
napped fabrics such as velvet. It doesn't readily soil or wrinkle, but it does tend to fade and pill.
Olefin: This is a good choice for furniture that will receive heavy wear. It has no pronounced
weaknesses.
Polyester: Rarely used alone in upholstery, polyester is blended with other fibers to add wrinkle
resistance, eliminate crushing of napped fabrics, and reduce fading. When blended with wool,
polyester aggravates pilling problems.
Rayon: Developed as an imitation silk, linen, and cotton, rayon is durable. However, it wrinkles.
Recent developments have made high-quality rayon very practical.
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(source: https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/basics/guide-to-upholstery-fabrics/)
Conclusion
Furniture is an industrial design product. Furniture matters the most when designing a space.
Interior design is concerned with the design of spaces and what makes the space is furniture. So
they must be functional practical, comfortable, and attractive.
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