Home Furniture & Bedding Glossary: Terms Explained
Are you looking to invest in new bed linen or home furniture but aren’t sure where to start?
With so many different items to consider, from thread counts and togs to deciphering between loveseats and armchairs, we know that shopping for your home can be a little confusing at times. Different finishes and materials can affect the feel and overall look of your space, which is why it is essential to get clued up on your interior design terminology.
To help you out, our DUSK experts have compiled a handy glossary, so you can make the perfect style choices for your home.
Furniture
Loveseat - A loveseat is an armchair that’s just big enough for two people to curl up together or alternatively perfect for one to sit back and get cosy within. These can come in many styles from slouchy to armless to swivel designs that may rotate.
Armchair - An armchair is similar to a loveseat but often sturdier and less slouchy in design. As the name suggests, they also feature armrests, giving these seats a more structured silhouette.
Pouffe - A sofa pouffe is a flat cushion-like seat that’s often low to the floor, making it perfect as a footstool. Pouffes come in a range of shapes and can be a great way to extend your sofa so that you can stretch out in comfort. They can also come in ottoman styles, designed for maximising storage space.
Dressing Table - Also known as a console table, dressing tables take their name from commonly being used within dressing rooms and bedrooms. They are typically styled with a mirror on top to create a dedicated vanity station. They typically feature drawers as handy storage space for toiletries, hairdryers, perfumes and more.
Dining bench - A dining bench is a contemporary seating alternative to traditional dining chairs. These can be tucked fully beneath your dining table, making them a great option for optimising space.
Ottoman Storage Bench - An ottoman storage bench is typically placed at the end of the bed, acting as an extension to your bed area. The perfect 2-in-1 design, this also doubles as a handy seating solution and storage facility simultaneously.
Barstool - Unlike standard dining chairs which are lower in height, a barstool is a tall chair designed to sit beneath a raised table or breakfast bar. They come in many different designs and styles depending on your preference.
Ottoman Bed - An ottoman bed is a bed that has an intricate hinge-lift design, allowing the mattress frame to be lifted to reveal handy storage space beneath. This is great for smaller spaces and keeping larger belongings neatly tucked away.
Bedside Tables - Bedside tables are small units designed to sit at the side of the bed. Often coming in pairs, these items are a great way to inject symmetry into your bedroom while providing you with handy storage space for your morning coffee cup, bedside books and more.
Chests of Drawers - Chests of drawers are a larger storage unit, featuring two or more drawers to keep belongings within. Most commonly used for storing items of clothing, these often come in sets with matching dressing tables or bedside tables.
Modular Sofa - designed in separate, easy-to-handle pieces, a modular sofa is perfect for mixing up your seating arrangements at a moment’s notice. Each part pieces together effortlessly without the use of tools. Due to its buildable design, you can easily make it any size and or shape.
Bed Linen
Fitted Sheet - Placed directly on top of your mattress, a fitted sheet features an elastic hem and should fit snugly. There are two size options for fitted sheets: Standard and Deep. Standard sheets are suitable for mattresses with a depth of up to 30cm, while deep sheets fit up to 34cm.
Top tip: We also have kids fitted sheets perfect for your little one’s bedding.
Flat Sheet - The flat sheet provides an extra layer of luxury and warmth between your sheet and your duvet cover. This is a trick commonly used by hotels and will instantly elevate your bed.
Bedspread - Placed over your duvet cover and often opulently draping to the floor, a bedspread is a lightweight and decorative item that goes on top of all your bedding. A bedspread can also be used in the colder months to make your bed more cosy.
Duck Down Duvet - A duck down duvet has a natural and breathable filling crafted from a blend of duck feathers and down. The feathers provide structure and support while the down gives the duvet its warmth.
Goose Down Duvet - This is a more decadent filling than duck down due to the size of the goose down feathers. These feathers give goose down duvets a higher fill power — you can read more about duvet fillings in our Duck Down vs Goose Down blog.
Feels Like Down Duvet - A feels like down duvet is made from synthetic fibres that have been designed to mimic the luxurious feel of down and feathers. This makes it kind to allergies and a popular choice for those who are looking for a non-feather option with a luxury feel.
Duvet Cover - A duvet cover encases your duvet and usually has a button closing. They are generally decorative and are available in a variety of colours, patterns and designs.
Still deciding? Explore our full range of bedroom duvets to find the perfect fit for your home.
Pillows
Goose Down Pillow - Goose down pillows are made from the soft undercoat feathers of geese for a lofty and comfortable pillow that is naturally breathable.
Duck Down Pillow - Duck down pillows are made from the slightly smaller clusters of feathers from ducks, but are still naturally breathable and offer a range of support options.
Feels Like Down Pillow - A synthetic pillow that is made from microfibres designed to mimic the natural filling of feathers and down. These pillows provide a non-feather option while maintaining a luxury feel.
Standard Pillowcase - A standard pillowcase is the most common type of pillowcase measuring 50cm x 75cm (or 20” wide by 26” long). They are suitable for single, double and king size beds.
Super King Size Pillowcase - A super king pillowcase measures 50cm x 90cm (or 20” wide by 35” long). They are suitable for larger super king beds.
Oxford Pillowcase - An Oxford pillowcase has a decorative feature of additional fabric around the border of the pillowcase. This does not impact the size of the pillow but is perfect for creating a more luxurious look.
Still unsure which style to opt for? Explore our full selection of pillows and pillowcases available.
Bedding Accessories
Mattress Protector - A mattress protector is a removable bedding item that encases your mattress in order to protect it. This can prolong the life of your mattress while also preventing stains and keeping it clean.
Mattress Topper - A mattress topper sits on top of your mattress to provide an extra layer of comfort. They come in a range of natural feather down fillings as well as a synthetic fibre filling.
Throw/Blanket - A throw/blanket is a decorative feature that is placed across the foot of your bed. They are available in a range of finishes, fabrics and sizes and are a great way to add a pop of colour to your bedroom or lounge.
Cushion Pad - A cushion pad sits inside a decorative cushion cover on your bed or sofa. Here at DUSK, our cushion pads are filled with luxury duck feathers, with 50cm and 65cm sizes available, depending on your desired look.
Cushion Cover - Similar to a throw pillow, a fabric cushion cover is a decorative item that can add personality and texture to your home interior. These are often referred to as scatter cushions for the living room or decorative/throw pillows for the bed.
Fabrics & Materials
Waffle Weave - Also known as honeycomb weave, a waffle weave design features raised threads to form small rectangles or honeycomb shapes. This structure adds texture and warmth.
Tog - A measure showing how much heat material retains. The higher the tog value, the greater the thermal insulation provided, which is why different togs are recommended for different seasons.
Thread Count - The thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of the fabric. Generally speaking, the higher the thread count, the higher the quality of the material.
Cotton Sateen - Cotton sateen is crafted from combed, carded, or long-fibre cotton thread. Its signature sheen gives an opulent silky finish that feels soft and smooth to the touch.
Cotton Percale - Cotton percale is made using a simple over-and-under weave. This allows the cotton threads to be woven tightly together resulting in an extremely durable yet soft material.
Egyptian Cotton - Egyptian cotton is known for being one of the finest kinds of cotton worldwide. This is largely due to the length of the cotton fibre which makes it extremely soft yet strong.
Brushed Cotton - Brushed cotton bedding is made from loosely spun cotton that undergoes a brushing process. The result is a soft and cosy material that is particularly popular during colder weather.
Linen - Linen is renowned for being naturally breathable. While it can be quite stiff when purchased, linen becomes softer and more comfortable the more often it is washed.
Down - Down is the layer of fine feathers below a bird's tougher exterior feathers. It is one of nature’s best warm and thermal insulators, making it the perfect filling for duvets.
For more information and guidance on fabrics and materials, check out our blog on What To Consider When Buying A Duvet Cover.
Details
Piping - This is a narrow strip sewn around a cord. This is commonly used on bedding with an oxford border and creates both a decorative and luxurious finish.
Embroidery - This involves the sewing of raised designs or patterns on materials. Embroidery is usually created with thread and can incorporate other decorative elements.
Do you have any other bedding questions or queries? Get in touch and let us know on Facebook or Instagram, or to discover more home styling tips, check out our Inspiration page.
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