The Furniture Museum Vienna traces Austrian furniture and domestic life from around 1700 to the 1930s. Its collection connects furnishings to the Habsburgs, including Empress Elisabeth, and to the homes and palaces where pieces were used. You can see a broader range of furniture here than the selected rooms on a palace visit, with an audio guide explaining the objects and their histories. Special exhibitions bring in other designers and periods. It is a focused stop for anyone interested in furniture, interiors or the history behind imperial collections.
Furniture, people and palaces
The collection tells a story that reaches beyond the design of individual chairs, tables and cabinets. Habsburg furnishings moved between residences, so the objects can be understood alongside the people and places connected to them. The displays also include pieces from middle-class homes, giving the collection a wider view of domestic life than imperial interiors alone.
The museum’s holdings grew from a large royal collection of furniture that was no longer in use. In 1901, Emperor Franz Joseph commissioned a central storage building and workshop on Mariahilfer Strasse. After the monarchy ended, the collection passed to the Republic of Austria. Parts of the warehouse opened to the public in 1924, and the museum reopened after refurbishment in 1998.
What to look for
The displays span roughly 1700 to the 1930s and include furnishings linked to Empress Elisabeth. Among the pieces is an 1828 Biedermeier divan by Ernest Gissl, made for Empress Carolina Augusta. Its polished dark wood and blue silk upholstery give the piece a distinctive contrast.
An audio guide adds context to the objects on display. Temporary exhibitions can shift the focus beyond the main collection: past and scheduled subjects include Japanese porcelain at the imperial court and the furniture designs of Josef Frank and his contemporaries. Check the current exhibition details when planning your visit.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long should I spend at the Furniture Museum Vienna?
Allow at least two hours for a leisurely visit.
What can you see at the museum?
The collection covers Austrian furniture from around 1700 to the 1930s, including Habsburg furnishings and pieces from middle-class homes.
Is there an audio guide?
Yes. An audio guide accompanies the displays and provides information about the pieces.
Is the museum open on Mondays?
No. The museum is closed on Mondays.
