Mobles

Mobles is the Catalan word for furniture, referring to objects designed to support human activities such as sitting, dining, storage, and sleeping. In Catalan-speaking regions—Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, parts of Aragon and Andorra—the term covers individual pieces as well as the broader category of domestic and office furnishings.

History and design: Furniture has been part of human settlements since ancient times. In the Iberian Peninsula, Roman, Visigothic and later medieval traditions shaped chests, benches, and tables, with regional crafts reflecting local materials. The Catalan Modernisme movement around the late 19th and early 20th centuries fused traditional craft with architectural design, influencing furniture through artists and designers such as Antoni Gaudí and the broader Barcelona design scene. In the 20th century, mass production, new materials, and international styles broadened access to furniture, while contemporary design emphasizes ergonomics, sustainability, and modular systems.

Types and materials: Common categories include seating, tables, storage, and beds, produced from wood, metal, plastic, glass, and textiles. Design approaches range from handcrafted, artisanal pieces to industrially manufactured products, with a growing emphasis on durable materials, repairability, and circularity.

Industry and culture: The mobles sector encompasses designers, carpenters, manufacturers, and retailers. It plays a role in interior aesthetics, user comfort, and spatial organization, while preserving regional crafts and commercial traditions within the Catalan-speaking world.