Occasional furniture is the term used for small, lightweight and easily moved pieces intended for occasional rather than constant use. Typical examples include side tables, lamp tables, wine tables, tripod tables, nests of tables, sewing and work tables, card tables, whatnots, stools, small bookcases and occasional chairs that can be brought out when guests arrive.
The category grew during the eighteenth century as rooms became more sociable and furniture was arranged informally rather than lined against the walls. It expanded greatly in the Victorian and Edwardian periods, when drawing rooms were filled with small tables for displaying ornaments, lamps and photographs, and manufacturers produced a wide variety of decorative designs in mahogany, walnut, rosewood and satinwood. Occasional furniture is particularly useful in modern homes, where its modest scale, portability and versatility suit smaller rooms and flexible living. When buying, check stability, the condition of tops and veneers and the soundness of legs and joints, which can be vulnerable on frequently moved pieces.
