Furniture Terms

• Accent Furniture
  Furniture chosen for its aesthetic appeal, such as to compliment another piece of furniture as part of a set. Can be functional or sometimes purely decorative.
• Antique
  Any piece of furniture that is over a century old.
• Acrylic
  A type of upholstery that is less soft, but more durable and which holds its shape well over time.
• Arrow Back
  A chair back made from wide wooden slats that narrow to tapered tips.
• Arrow Foot
  A tapered, cylindrical foot topped by a small ring.
• Accent Chair
  Any type of chair chosen to match or complement the furniture in a living room or other seating area.
• Adjustable Bed
  A bed with an adjustable surface, allowing the feet to be raised or the back to be lifted into a sitting position.
• Armoire
  A tall, narrow piece of furniture with drawers for storing clothing.
• Armchair
  A dining room chair with arms, which is usually placed at the head or foot of the table.
• Antique Finish
  Finish designed to mimic the appearance of the natural process of aging, giving wood furniture the look of being antique.
• Area Rug
  A rug that only covers a certain section of the floor
• Abattant
  Also known as Secretaire ? Abattant, a drop-front desk with drawers or cabinets underneath.
• Acanthus
  Decorative carving in the shape of a leaf; specifically, the leaves of the Acanthus Spinosus plant.
• Alder
  A type of wood from the Alder tree of the Birch family. A light brown hardwood used in making cabinets and other types of furniture.
• Acetate
  A type of man-made cellulose fiber, used in some upholstery weaves.
• Applique
  A decorative ornamental piece made by sewing one piece of material over another, such as decoration sewn onto upholstery.
• Apron
  Also known as a skirt, a piece of wood beneath the seat rail of a chair or under a tabletop for support.
• Art Deco
  A style from the 1920s and 1930s, consisting of geometric shapes in various bold and colorful patterns.
• Ash
  A type of light colored hardwood, usually used in cabinets and wooden furniture.
• Astragal
  A wooden strip or molding overlapping the seal between two doors, such as in a cabinet or armoire.
• Arm Caps
  Fabric covers that fit over the arms of a chair or sofa to protect the upholstery.
• Anthemion
  A carving in the shape of a stylized flower and leaves, resembling a honeysuckle.
• Arabesque
  A carving designed with floral patterns with geometric scrolls, spirals, and zigzags.
• Acroterion
  A classical or gothic type of carving which is mounted on the apex of a pediment, such as atop an armoire or dresser.
• Alabaster
  A translucent white stone, often used in decorative carving, lamps, and candlesticks.
• Andiron
  A metal support leg that holds wood in a fireplace.
• Almond
  A reddish wood commonly used in high-grade cabinetwork.
• Apple Wood
  A wood ranging from yellow to pink to orange, with interesting grain patterns that are useful for furniture and inlays.
• Aniline Dyed
  Leather upholstery which has been dyed in a dye bath, rather than a coated finish, so that the dye fully penetrates the leather.
• Amboyna
  A reddish-brown wood with a mottled grain, often used in veneers.
• Angel Bed
  A type of bed that has a canopy supported by posts on the headboard, but not by the footboard.
• A/V Cabinet
  A cabinet designed to store audio/video devices such as DVD players, video game consoles, etc.
• Apothecary Chest
  A chest with small drawers, originally used to store herbs.