This post is the eighth in the terminology series and the focus today is furniture.  We’ll look at furniture terms and the definitions that you will often use in decorating.

Previous articles in this series include general decorating terms; three articles on style terminology: A-E, F-Q and R-Z; and three posts covering architectural terms:  A-E,  F-Q and R-Z.

Furniture A-Z

Armoire: a large cabinet with two doors traditionally used as a wardrobe and now also used to house entertainment electronics or office equipment or c0mputer

Bergère: a traditional upholstered or loose cushioned chair with an exposed wooden frame

Bombé: a bureau or armoire with a curved or swollen front

Bowfront: a cabinet with a curving front

Break front: a china cabinet or bookcase created in three vertical sections and the center is deeper than the sections on each side

Buffet: a small sideboard cabinet for storing dishes

Bun foot: a foot on a piece of furniture that is the shape of a bun or a flattened ball

Bureau: a piece of bedroom furniture for storing clothes and also known as a dresser

Cabriole: a furniture leg that curves gracefully outward in the middle and then back in at the bottom

Camelback: a sofa whose back is a large curved “hump” like that of a camel

Case goods:  a phrase generally used to describe wood furniture collections for dining rooms and bedrooms

Chaise: a long chair with or with out arms and used for lounging with legs up

Couch: today the term is interchangeable with sofa but in the 17th and 18th centuries it referred to a daybed

Credenza: sideboard or buffet or a cabinet for storage in an office

Etagere: a set of open shelves, sometimes with a cabinet on the bottom,  used to display accessories

Fauteuil:  a chair with open arms and exposed wood frame originating in France

Futon: a Japanese-inspired thin, fabric covered mattress used on the floor or on a wooden frame.   Also refers to the frame that holds the mattress and which usually folds into a sofa.

Gateleg table: a table with a leg that swings out like a gate and holds up a leaf to extend the table

Highboy: a tall chest of drawers

Motion upholstery: an upholstered furniture piece with reclining or inclining seating

Occasional tables: small tables including coffee tables, side tables, sofa tables and consoles

Ottoman: an upholstered low stool or footrest that is sometimes used as a coffee table substitute

Platform bed: a flat base that supports a mattress  without a box spring or metal frame

Secretary: a drop front desk that usually includes shelves above and drawers below

Settee: a love seat, long seat, or bench with a high back and exposed legs

Sideboard: a piece with a long flat top suitable for serving food and usually including drawers for silverware or cabinets for dish storage

Sleigh Bed: a headboard with large curved footboard resembling the front of a horse-drawn sleigh

Suite: a matching set of furniture for use in the same room

Trundle bed: a mattress that is stored under a bed and rolled out for sleeping

Veneer: thin wood sheets applied to furniture

Windsor chair: a chair with a wooden or rush seat, a back made from turned spindles and peg legs

Wing chair: an upholstered chair that has with a high back and wing-shaped projectons angled from the back at head level

What Else?

A single post couldn’t possibly contain all of the furniture from A-Z so this list presents some of the most often used or referenced.  What favorite piece of your furniture should also be included on this list?  Click on the Comment link below and tell me!

Remember too, if you’re struggling with a furniture arrangement or need help deciding on a piece of furniture Your Decorating Hotline can help.  We offer personal consultations so you can enjoy your home rather than fight it!  Learn more about our services by clicking here.