Biedermeier furniture, popular from roughly 1815 to 1848, emerged in Central Europe, particularly in German-speaking regions, as a style reflecting the tastes of the rising middle class. It emphasized simplicity, functionality and craftsmanship, utilizing locally available materials and showcasing clean lines and unadorned surfaces. The style's name is derived from the Biedermeier period, a time of relative peace and prosperity following the Napoleonic Wars.