furniture industry
Companies and activities involved in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of functional and decorative objects of household equipment.
Furniture upholsterers provide furniture with padding, springs, webbing and covers. Sometimes they have to remove old padding, filling and broken strings before to replace them using tools such as a tack puller, chisel or mallet. The aim is to provide comfort and beauty to seats as backs of the furniture.
Competences and skills
34 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 5 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
4 competencesfurniture trends
The latest trends and manfacturers in the furniture industry.
properties of textile materials
The characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repellence, dyeability and resistance to chemicals. Moreover, the influence of chemical composition and molecular arrangement of yarn and fibre properties and fabric structure on the physical properties of textile fabrics; the different fibre types; the materials used in different processes and the effect on materials as they are processed.
upholstery fillings
Materials used to fill soft furniture like upholstered chairs or mattresses must have several properties such as resilience, lightness, high-bulk properties. They can be fillings of animal origin such as feathers, of vegetal origin such as cotton wool or of synthetic fibers.
Cross-sector
1 competenceupholstery tools
Set of tools used for upholstering furniture, walls and floors such as staple gun, foam cutter, staple remover.
Essential skills and competences 11 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
6 competencescreate patterns for textile products
Create a two-dimensional model used to cut the material for textile products such as tents and bags, or for individual pieces needed for upholstery work.
install spring suspension
Nail down the springs to the wooden frame of a chair or other piece of furniture to be upholstered. In the case of mattresses, check the structure holding the springs for defects and fix the layers of protective fabrics to cover the spring suspension.
perform upholstery repair
Repair/restore damaged upholstery for a wide range of vehicles; use materials such as fabric, leather, plastic or vinyl.
provide customized upholstery
Install custom upholstery, according to the customer's individual requests and preferences.
sew textile-based articles
Sew different products based on textiles and wearing apparel articles. Combine good hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and physical and mental stamina.
use manual sewing techniques
Use manuel sewing and stitching techniques to manufacture or repair fabrics or textile-based articles.
Cross-sector
5 competencesclean furniture
Remove dirt, marks and other unwanted material from furniture.
cut textiles
Cut textiles fitting to customers' desires and needs.
decorate furniture
Use techniques such as gilding, silver-plating, framing or engraving to add specific decorations in the material of the furniture.
fasten components
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
sew pieces of fabric
Operate basic or specialised sewing machines whether domestic or industrial ones, sewing pieces of fabric, vinyl or leather in order to manufacture or repair wearing apparels, making sure the threads are selected according to specifications.
- Scope note
- In the case of industrial sewing machines, the operations are computerised.
Optional skills and competences 18 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
8 competencesapply restoration techniques
Select and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management processes.
design original furniture
Master and develop industrial aesthetics through ongoing research of new shapes, adapted to the function of the objects the research deals with (domestic objects, urban furnitures, etc.).
estimate restoration costs
Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
evaluate restoration procedures
Evaluate the outcome of conservation and restoration procedures. Evaluate the degree of risk, success of treatment or activity and communicate the results.
handle delivery of furniture goods
Handle the delivery and assemble the furniture and other goods, according to customer's needs and preferences.
identify customer's needs
Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
sell furniture
Sell pieces of furniture in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.
sell household goods
Sell household devices and goods such as microwaves, blenders and kitchen supplies in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.
Cross-sector
10 competencesage furniture artificially
Use various techniques such as sanding, denting, painting and others to make new furniture look distressed and aged.
apply a protective layer
Apply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.
design prototypes
Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
fix minor scratches
Fix minor dents and scratches on the surface with touch-up paint or scratch remover.
manipulate metal
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of metal.
manipulate wood
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.
paint decorative designs
Apply designs in paint, using paint sprayers, paintbrushes or spray cans.
pass on trade techniques
Pass on knowledge and skills, explain and demonstrate the application of equipment and materials and answer questions about trade techniques for the manufacturing of products.
prepare furniture for application of paint
Set up furniture for standard or custom paint job, protect any parts that should not be painted and prepare painting equipment.
repair furniture parts
Repair locks, pegs, braces, frames or other parts of furniture.