Piece of furniture is a broad term that can refer to any item used to furnish a home or office. Two common pieces of furniture are the SOFA and the DESK. A SOFA, also known as a couch, is a large piece of furniture typically used for seating multiple people. It usually has a back and armrests and is often upholstered. A DESK is a piece of furniture with a flat surface used for writing and working. It typically has drawers and compartments for storage and may have a chair.