Exploring Age-Friendly and User-Centered Furniture Design for the Elderly in China: A Systematic Literature Review

This study systematically reviews age-friendly and user-centered furniture design for the elderly in China, with the aim of identifying key themes, cultural influences, and research gaps. Guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework, searches across Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, and ScienceDirect yielded 350 records, of which 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis revealed three dominant themes: ergonomic comfort, safety and accessibility, and cultural values shaping design preferences. Findings highlight that while ergonomics and safety are consistently emphasized, cultural traditions such as filial piety and multi-generational living remain under-integrated into formal design frameworks. The review also shows limited empirical testing of furniture usability and minimal comparative analysis with international best practices. This indicates a need for methodological advances, including real-life usability trials and structured cross-cultural comparisons. By synthesizing existing research and identifying critical gaps, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how culturally informed, evidence-based design can improve elderly well-being and support the development of globally relevant, age-friendly furniture frameworks.