Directions for Tea Furniture Design from the Perspective of the Traditional Tea Drinking Processes

The transition from the whisked tea method (点 茶法) to the steeped tea method (泡茶法) during the Ming and Qing dynasties simplified the tea-drinking process and gradually shaped a unique cultural system. This study, based on the traditional tea-drinking process of the Ming and Qing dynasties, explores characteristics and, in conjunction with modern design concepts, analyzes the functional and cultural demands of tea furniture. The study identifies four key stages in the Ming-Qing tea-drinking process: utensil preparation, water boiling, tea rituals, and drinking. Each stage reflects distinct cultural values: “Dao and utensils in harmony (道器合一)” in preparation, “Attaining harmony through proper control (中庸和谐)” in boiling, “Observing propriety and order (礼序井然)” in rituals, and “Returning to the essence of simplicity (返璞归真)” in drinking. These principles shaped the tea ceremony’s core and provide a cultural foundation for modern tea furniture design. Based on this, four design directions are proposed: integrating function and aesthetics, balancing visual and operational experience, ensuring logical and ritualistic coherence through functional zoning, and using natural materials with a minimalist approach to reflect tea culture’s essence. This study systematically integrates the traditional tea-drinking process with the User-Centered Culture Design (UCCD) approach, extending beyond historical or aesthetic analyses to explore tea culture’s core values and its application in tea furniture design from both functional and cultural perspectives. Findings show that the traditional tea-drinking process embodies cultural significance beyond its practical function. However, this study focuses on cultural extraction and functional analysis, without addressing tea furniture case studies or design implementation. Future research could incorporate case studies, user research, and cross-cultural comparisons to validate the design framework and foster innovative applications of tea culture in modern design