Dictionary

Furniture glossary

Decode product pages and sales floors with plain-English furniture terms.

A C D E F H J K L M O P S T V

A

Ambient Lighting

General illumination that sets overall room brightness.

Accent Lighting

Directional light that highlights art, architecture, or textures.

C

Case Goods

Furniture that isn’t upholstered—dressers, cabinets, tables.

Chaise

An extended seat section for lounging—often on sectionals.

D

Dovetail

An interlocking joint often used in quality drawer boxes.

Double Rubs

A lab abrasion rating for upholstery durability.

Down Blend

Cushion fill mixing down/feathers with foam or fiber.

E

Eight-Way Hand-Tied

A traditional spring system hand-tied in eight directions.

Ergonomics

Design that supports healthy body posture and movement.

F

Full-Extension

Drawer glides that allow the drawer to open fully.

Full-Grain Leather

Leather that retains the natural grain of the hide.

H

Hardwood

Wood from deciduous trees such as oak, walnut, maple, and ash.

High-Resiliency Foam

Foam engineered to rebound better and hold shape longer.

J

Joinery

The methods used to connect furniture parts.

K

Kiln-Dried

Wood dried in a controlled kiln to reduce moisture and improve stability.

L

Laminate

A printed or synthetic surface layer designed for durability.

M

MDF

Medium-density fiberboard—an engineered wood panel.

O

Ottoman

A soft, usually legless or low-legged piece used as footrest or table.

P

Particleboard

Engineered panel made from wood particles and resin.

Performance Fabric

Upholstery textile engineered for stain and wear resistance.

Patina

The surface character that develops with age and use.

S

Softwood

Wood from conifers such as pine, fir, and cedar.

Soft-Close

Hardware that gently decelerates doors and drawers.

Sinuous Spring

S-shaped springs commonly used in sofa decks.

Sectional

Multi-piece seating arranged in an L, U, or modular configuration.

Slipcover

A removable fabric cover for sofas or chairs.

T

Teak

A durable hardwood prized for outdoor furniture.

Task Chair

An adjustable chair designed for desk work.

Task Lighting

Focused light for reading, cooking, or desk work.

V

Veneer

A thin layer of real wood bonded over a stable core.