Utility furniture

The furniture was produced under a government scheme which was designed to cope with raw material shortages and rationing of their usage.

Introduced at the end of 1942, the Utility Furniture Scheme continued into post-war austerity and lasted until its abolition in March 1949.

[citation needed] This, combined with losses caused by bombing and the establishment of many new households, had created a severe furniture shortage.

The Arts and Crafts movement influenced the designs, which were considered to be simplistic due to their lack of decoration (which was contrary to the popular taste of the immediate pre-war period).

[6] In 1946 the panel unveiled three new furniture ranges (Cotswold, Chiltern and Cockaigne), intending to display their post-war design ethos at the "Britain Can Make It" exhibition.

An oak dressing table designed by the Utility Design Panel c. 1943. Made by Heal & Son , 1947. [ citation needed ]
The CC41 mark.
Utility chair in laminated wood, produced after design rules were relaxed in 1948 and showing the growing influence of European styles. Designed by G.A. Jenkins. 1950-52. [ citation needed ]