Cabinet making involves techniques such as creating appropriate joints, shelving systems, finishing tools such as routers to create decorative edgings, and so on.
Before the advent of Industrial design the cabinet maker was responsible for the entire conception of any piece of furniture. In the last half of the 18th century, cabinet makers such as Thomas Sheraton, Thomas Chippendale and George Hepplewhite also published books of furniture forms. These books were compendiums of their designs and those of other cabinet makers.