Korean Traditional Furniture: Types, Materials, and Decor

Korean traditional furniture is a reflection of the country's rich cultural heritage.

The types of Korean traditional furniture include Chogaji, a low-seated chair used for formal occasions, and Jangdari, a low table used for serving food and drinks.

These pieces are often crafted from durable and sustainable materials like wood, bamboo, and paper.

Wood is a popular choice for Korean traditional furniture, with many pieces featuring intricate carvings and designs.

The use of natural materials and traditional craftsmanship gives Korean traditional furniture a unique and timeless quality.

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Korean traditional furniture is incredibly diverse and functional, with each piece designed to serve a specific purpose in the home. The bandaji, also known as abdaji, is the most essential type of furniture for a Joseon dynasty household.

The bandaji was produced throughout the Korean peninsula, and each region developed its own unique style. In contrast, the beonsang, or polygonal tray table, is a more straightforward piece of furniture that was used for serving and storing food.

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The ch'anjang, or kitchen chest, is a sturdy cupboard built with large doors to store heavy items like brass and chinaware. Ch'antak, or shelves built like bookshelves, were used in kitchens to store food and dishes.

A gobi, or letter rack, was used as a storage box for storing documents like letters, scrolls, and papers. It was often hung in a room or on the floor.

In the Joseon dynasty, a haejuban, or portable table, was produced in Haeju in Hwanghae province. Its top was made from thick wood with engraving on both sides.

A hwaro, or brazier, was used for heating and cooking. A jesa, or ceremony table, was used for ancestor worship ceremonies.

The morijang, or head side chest, is a unique piece of furniture that emerged during the 18th or early 19th century. Mungap, or small chests, were used by both men and women to store documents or stationery and were placed in the main room of the house.

An ich"ung nong, or stackable clothing chest, was used for storing clothing and other personal items. A pyongsang, or wooden bed with lattice bottom section, was used as a bed.

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A sabang takja, or book and display stand, was used for displaying books and other items. A samch'ung jang, or three level clothing chest, was used for storing clothing and other personal items.

A seoan, or low scholar desk, was used by yangban men in a sitting position. A gyeongsang, or small desk, was used as a table for reading Buddhist scriptures in Buddhist temples during the Goryeo Dynasty.

A soban, or small low table, was used for serving and storing food. A tuiju, or storage box for rice and beans, was commonly used all over the peninsula.

An uigori jang, or wardrobe chest, has much larger doors than any other type of jang. A yeonsang, or inkstone box, was used for storing inkstones and other writing materials.

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Traditional Korean furniture is renowned for its beauty and craftsmanship, and a big part of that is due to the unique materials and techniques used.

HANJI, a traditional handmade paper from Korea, is made from the inner bark of Broussonetia papyrifera, also known as paper mulberry.

JUCHIL, a type of red lacquer, is a popular finish for Korean furniture, adding a vibrant pop of color to any piece.

NAJEON, or mother-of-pearl inlay methods, add a touch of elegance to traditional Korean furniture with intricate designs and patterns.

NAKDONG, a wood burning technique, is especially used on paulownia wood to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind designs.

OTTCHIL, another type of lacquer, is used to add a rich, glossy finish to Korean furniture.

Wood, or NAMU, is a versatile material used in a wide range of traditional Korean furniture pieces, from chairs to tables.

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Traditional Korean Furniture was an essential part of a Joseon dynasty household, with each region developing its own unique style.

The bandaji, a type of furniture that was produced throughout the Korean peninsula, was the most essential piece for a Joseon dynasty household.

In a typical Korean home, you'd often find a kitchen chest, also known as a Ch'anjang, which was a double or triple level cupboard built with sturdy lumber to store heavy items like brass and chinaware.

A Haejuban, a portable table produced in Haeju, was a common sight in many Korean homes, with its top made from thick wood and engraving on both sides.

These traditional pieces of furniture not only served a practical purpose but also added to the aesthetic appeal of the home.

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Traditional Korean furniture is known for its simplicity and functionality.

The bandaji, also called abdaji, is the most essential type of furniture for a Joseon dynasty household. It was produced throughout the Korean peninsula and each region developed its own unique style.

A polygonal tray table called beonsang was a common piece of furniture in traditional Korean homes.

The ch'anjang, a kitchen chest, was built with sturdy lumber to store large items like brass and chinaware. It had double or triple levels to maximize storage space.

Shelves built like bookshelves, called ch'antak, were used in kitchens to store food and dishes.

A letter rack called gobi or pyonji-gobi was used to store documents like letters, scrolls, and papers. It was often hung in a room or on the floor.

The haejuban, a portable table, was produced in Haeju in Hwanghae province. Its top was made from thick wood with engraving on both sides.

A brazier called hwaro was used for heating and cooking.

The morijang, also known as the head side chest, is a unique piece of furniture found in the Korean furniture collection. It likely emerged during the 18th or early 19th century.

Small chests called mungap were used to store documents or stationery and were placed in the main room of the house.

The ich"ung nong, a stackable clothing chest, was a common piece of furniture in traditional Korean homes.

The pyongsang, a wooden bed with a lattice bottom section, was used as a bed. Two or three sections were put together to create a bed.

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A book and display stand called sabang takja was used to display books and other items.

The samch'ung jang, a three level clothing chest, was a practical piece of furniture for storing clothing.

The seoan, also called chaeksang, was a low scholar desk used by yangban men in a sitting position. It came in two types, Gyeongsang and Pomsang.

A small low table called soban was used for eating and socializing.

Tuiju, boxes used for storing rice and beans, were commonly used all over the peninsula.

A wardrobe chest called uigorijang has much larger doors than any other type of jang.

The yeonsang, an inkstone box, was used to store writing utensils.

The yong yeo, an ancestor shrine, was an important piece of furniture in traditional Korean homes.

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The Korean day bed, also known as 평상, was a staple in traditional Korean furniture, especially among the Goguryeo royal family and nobles. They lived a seated lifestyle, as evident in the Goguryeo tomb murals depicting daily life.

In the Goguryeo tombs, you'll often see the main figure seated, and there are two theories about the main figure of An-ak Tomb No. 3, built in the mid-4th century. Some believe he was Dongsu, a Chinese exile.

The Goguryeo people valued comfort and practicality in their furniture, which is reflected in the design of the Korean day bed. It's a testament to their ingenuity and attention to detail.

In contrast, the Tonggagban, or round tray-tables, were used for more formal occasions, such as ancestral rites. They were made from various materials, including wood, porcelain, and brass.

Traditional Korean furniture often features unique and meaningful decorative patterns that reflect the country's rich cultural heritage. These patterns are not just aesthetically pleasing, but also carry significant symbolic meanings.

The mythical fungus, Bullocho, is a popular decorative pattern symbolizing longevity. It's often used in furniture decoration and Korean art.

Manja is another significant decorative pattern that represents good fortune and auspiciousness. It's a beautiful and meaningful addition to any traditional Korean piece of furniture.

The Taeguk pattern is a representation of yin and yang, reflecting the balance and harmony that Koreans strive for in their lives.

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Korean traditional furniture is deeply rooted in the country's history and culture, with many pieces dating back to the Joseon Dynasty.

The traditional Korean home, known as a hanok, is typically built with a tiled roof and wooden frames, which provided a sturdy base for the furniture that filled the space.

Korean traditional furniture is characterized by its use of natural materials, such as wood, paper, and fabric, which were readily available and sustainable.

In a traditional Korean home, the furniture was often built to be multi-functional, with pieces serving as both decorative and practical elements.

The use of natural materials and multi-functional design is evident in the traditional Korean chairs, such as the "sangtu", which had a built-in footrest and storage compartment.

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