The use of furniture by humans dates back to the beginning of civilization. A series of GIFs from Angie's List illustrates the evolution of chairs, desks, beds, sofas, and dining furniture from the beginning until modern times.

 

 

The practice of using natural objects as stationary furniture pieces - like tree stumps for seats, rocks as crude tables, and mossy areas for sleeping - goes all the way back to the beginning.

 

 

Furniture as we know it is believed to have originated around 30,000 years ago, as humans began constructing and carving their own furniture using wood, stone, and animal bones. It then evolved through the ages - incorporating leather in Ancient Egypt, and dowels & tenons in Ancient Greece and Rome.