Interior Design Glossary

Welcome to the Woodcreek Lane Design Glossary! Whether you’re starting a new decorating project, looking to freshen up your space, or just curious about interior design, you’ll find this glossary incredibly useful. We’ve put together clear and concise explanations of common and complex design terms to help you make sense of trends, techniques, and materials.

This guide is perfect for homeowners, renters, and design lovers who want to talk about their projects like pros. Here, you’ll learn everything from the different design styles to the names of various fabric patterns. Our aim is to help you make informed decisions, talk confidently about your design choices, and truly enjoy the process of transforming your home.

A

Accent Wall: A wall that is painted a different color or has a different covering than the other walls in the room to draw attention and create a focal point.

Antique: An item that is at least 100 years old, often valued for its historical significance and craftsmanship.

Armless Chair: A chair without arms, often used in dining rooms or spaces where a clean, unobstructed profile is desired.

Art Deco: A style of visual arts, architecture, and design that first appeared in France just before World War I and became popular in the 1920s and 1930s, characterized by precise and boldly delineated geometric shapes and strong colors.

Art Nouveau: An international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts, that was most popular between 1890 and 1910. It is characterized by intricate linear designs and flowing curves based on natural forms.

Arts and Crafts: A movement in the decorative and fine arts that began in Britain and flourished in Europe and America between about 1880 and 1920, advocating traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often used medieval, romantic, or folk styles of decoration.

Appliqué: A decorative design made of one material sewn over another, used commonly in textiles.

Arabesque: A complex, ornate design of intertwined floral, foliate, and geometric figures.

Atrium: A large open space located within a building and often featuring a glass roof; it is typically found in commercial and public buildings.

B

Balance: The concept of visual equilibrium in a space; it can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

Baluster: A small post or column that supports the upper rail of a railing, such as on a staircase or balcony.

Banquette: A long upholstered bench placed against a wall, commonly used in dining nooks or kitchen seating areas.

Baroque: An artistic style prevalent from the late 16th century to the early 18th century in Europe, characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow, bold ornamentation, and a sense of movement within the artwork.

Beaux-Arts: An architectural style taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, characterized by classical forms, symmetry, rich detail, and grandeur.

Bohemian (Boho): A style of interior decor that combines objects, colors, and patterns from many areas of the world. Known for its use of eclectic and vintage materials and often has a carefree, relaxed atmosphere.

Bauhaus: An influential modernist art school in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts, and was famous for the approach to design that it publicized and taught.

Backsplash: A panel behind a sink or stove that protects the wall from splashes.

Batten: A narrow strip of wood used to cover joints between panels of wood or other materials.

Bidet: A low-mounted plumbing fixture or type of sink intended for washing the private areas.

Bouclé: A looped yarn fabric, which gives a curly, textured appearance, often used in upholstery.

C

Cameo Back Chair: A chair featuring a solid, oval back that resembles the shape of a cameo.

Canopy Bed: A bed with a tall frame that supports a fabric canopy above the bed, offering a dramatic and enclosed feeling.

Chaise Lounge: A long chair that supports the legs, traditionally used for relaxation and often found in living rooms or bedrooms.

Chifferobe: A combination of a wardrobe and a chest of drawers, offering a versatile solution for clothing and linen storage.

Color Palette: The range of colors used in a particular design or art piece, which helps establish a mood or theme.

Contemporary: A design style that is of the moment; current, modern, and evolving, often characterized by clean lines and a minimalist approach.

Cornice: A decorative molding that crowns a building or furniture piece, often used at the top of the walls or along the roofline.

Credenza: A piece of furniture that serves as a sideboard or a TV stand, typically used in a dining room or living room.

Cubism: An early-20th-century style of art that abandoned perspective and represented forms in an abstract way, using interlocking planes and geometric shapes.

Chevron: A V-shaped pattern, used in parquet floors and decorative motifs, popular in textiles and tiling.

Chintz: A cotton fabric printed with flowers and other patterns in different colors, typically glazed and used for curtains and upholstery.

D

Damask: A fabric of linen, silk, cotton, or wool with a pattern formed by weaving, used primarily in the production of table linens, drapery, and upholstery. It is known for its elaborate woven patterns of florals and other designs.

Davenport: A compact writing desk, often with a lifting desktop and storage space underneath, originally made by the Davenport company.

Deco: Short for Art Deco, this term refers to a style characterized by rich colors, bold geometry, and decadent detail work. Having reached the height of its popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, the style is associated with luxury and glamour.

Demi-lune Table: A half-moon shaped table, often placed against a wall, used prominently in classical and neoclassical interiors.

Distressed Finish: A technique applied to furniture and other surfaces to give them an aged, worn appearance. This can involve sanding, denting, or scraping away parts of the top finish to reveal undercoats.

Dado Rail: Also known as a chair rail, this is a type of moulding fixed horizontally to the wall around the perimeter of a room. Traditionally, it is positioned at chair-back height to prevent damage to walls from chair backs.

Dormer: A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof. Dormers are often used to increase the usable space in a loft and to create window openings in a roof plane.

Drapery: Fabric panels that are usually lined and can be hung from a rod on a window as part of the interior decoration. Draperies are used for privacy, blocking light, and decorative purposes.

Duochrome: A term used in interior design to describe a color scheme built around two contrasting colors. This technique is often used to create a bold visual impact.

Dovetail: A joinery technique most commonly used in woodworking joinery including furniture, cabinets, and traditional timber framing. Noted for its resistance to being pulled apart, the dovetail joint is cut to resemble the dovetail shape of a bird’s tail.

E

Eclectic: A design style that combines elements from different time periods and styles, unified through color, texture, and finish to create a cohesive look.

Egress: The way out of a building or the act of leaving a building, often used in reference to safety codes and building design.

Elevation: A scale drawing of the side, front, or back of a structure, used in architectural planning to show the finished appearance.

Empire Style: A neoclassical style of decorative art, furniture, and architecture that originated in France during the First French Empire period (1804–1815), characterized by grandeur, symmetrical designs, and elaborate ornamentation.

Enfilade: A suite of rooms formally aligned with each other. This is a feature of Baroque palaces and grand houses, especially in France and Russia.

Entablature: A set of moldings and bands which lie horizontally above columns, resting on their capitals. It consists of the architrave, frieze, and cornice.

Ergonomics: The study of people’s efficiency in their working environment; in design, this refers to creating spaces and selecting furniture that maximizes comfort and utility.

Escritoire: A writing desk with a hinged door that drops down to form a writing surface, often with cubbies and small drawers inside.

Escutcheon: A decorative or protective plate around a keyhole, door handle, or light switch.

F

Faux Finishing: A variety of decorative paint techniques that replicate the appearance of materials such as marble, wood, or stone.

Feng Shui: An ancient Chinese practice involving the arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. It considers the placement of objects in relation to the flow of energy (Chi).

Finial: A decorative ornament at the very top of a structure, such as a lampshade, curtain rod, or roof, often shaped like a ball, leaf, or flame.

Frieze: A broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling.

Futon: A Japanese traditional style of bedding typically consisting of a padded mattress and quilt that can be folded and stored away during the day to allow other uses of the room.

Fluting: A series of shallow grooves running vertically along a surface, such as a column, to provide an ornamental effect that emphasizes the lines of the piece.

Foyer: The entrance hall or other open area in a house or building used by the public, especially a hotel or theater.

French Country: An interior design style characterized by rustic textures, distressed finishes, and a warm color palette that reflects the rural French countryside.

Fretwork: Ornamental design carved into wood or metal in a repeated, interlaced geometric pattern, often used in furniture or architectural details.

G

Gable: The triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a ridged roof, often containing a window or decorative detailing.

Gambrel: A type of roof commonly seen on barns that has two slopes on each side, with the lower slope being steeper than the upper one.

Gesso: A white paint mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these. It is used in artwork as a preparation for any number of substrates such as wood panels, canvas and sculpture as a base for paint and other materials that are applied over it.

Gilding: The application of gold leaf or gold paint to a surface as a decorative element.

Glaze: A coating of glossy material applied to ceramics, however, in interior design, it can also refer to a layer of translucent or transparent paint applied over a base coat to achieve a more nuanced color or texture.

Grain: The direction, size, arrangement, appearance, or quality of the fibers in wood. In design, acknowledging the grain of the wood can determine how it is used in furniture or architectural elements.

Groin Vault: An architectural element created by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults. The resulting cross-arched form is structurally stronger and visually more dynamic than a simple barrel vault.

Grommet: A ring or edge strip inserted into a hole through thin material, typically a metal, rubber, or plastic ring that reinforces the hole and protects the material from tearing.

Gueridon: A small, often ornate, stand or table supported by one or more columns or sculptural figures.

H

Hall Tree: A piece of furniture typically placed in the entryway, combining coat rack, mirror, and sometimes bench and storage space.

Herringbone: A distinctive V-shaped weaving pattern used in parquet flooring and masonry pavement, and known for its strong visual effect.

Hue: The gradation or variety of a color; hue refers to the pure spectrum colors which appear in the color wheel.

Hygge: A Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.

Highboy: A tall chest of drawers often divided into two sections, with the upper part being slightly smaller than the lower.

Hearth: The floor of a fireplace, which often extends into a room and is used in interior design as a focal point or gathering place.

Homogeneous: Materials or components that are of the same kind or nature, having uniform structure or composition throughout.

Hutch: A type of furniture that typically includes a set of shelves or cabinets placed on top of a lower unit with a counter and either drawers or cabinets.

Hardware: Metal tools, implements, and fittings used in building and furniture construction such as hinges, handles, nails, and locks.

I

Industrial: A style that draws inspiration from an urban loft or an industrial workshop, often featuring elements like exposed steel, distressed wood, and aged metals, which emphasize the raw, unfinished look.

Inlay: A design technique that involves embedding pieces of contrasting materials into a base, usually in furniture or flooring, to create patterns or designs.

Iridescent: A finish or material that shows luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.

Ionic Column: Refers to one of the three classical orders of ancient Greek and later Roman architecture, characterized by slender, fluted pillars with a large base and two volutes in the capital.

Island: In kitchens, an island is a freestanding cabinet that serves additional counter space and may include a sink, cooktop, or seating.

Intarsia: A form of wood inlay similar to marquetry, involving various shapes, sizes, and species of wood fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture with an illusion of depth.

Insulation: Material used to restrict the transfer of heat, cold, or sound from one surface to another, typically used in walls, ceilings, and floors to enhance climate control and energy efficiency in buildings.

Inglenook: A cozy nook or corner beside an open fireplace, often featuring built-in seating and used as a warm, intimate gathering spot.

J

Jacobean: Pertains to the period of English architecture and furniture style during the reign of James I in the early 17th century, noted for its robustness and elaborate carving.

Jardiniere Stand: A stand or pedestal specifically designed to hold a planter or a large vase, often decorative and used as an interior accent.

Jute: A long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads, often used in making burlap, hessian, or gunny cloth, and commonly used in rugs and sackings.

Japanning: A type of finish that provides a hard, lustrous surface, typically used on furniture to imitate East Asian lacquer work.

Jamb: The side post or lining of a doorway, window, or other opening, which includes the vertical portions on both sides and sometimes the top lintel.

Jouy Print: Often referred to as toile de Jouy, it is a type of printing on cotton, linen, or silk fabric, featuring complex vignettes or pastoral scenes that are repeated in a pattern.

Joint Compound: A material used in building and construction to finish drywall joints and corners in interior wall and ceiling applications.

Jardiniere: A large stand or pot for holding plants, often made of ceramic or metal, used indoors to add natural elements to the decor.

Jugendstil: The German name for Art Nouveau, an art and architecture style known for its organic forms and curved lines, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

K

Kilim: A flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug traditionally produced in countries of the former Ottoman Empire, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkic countries of Central Asia.

Knick-knack: Small decorative objects, often kitschy or sentimental, used as household ornaments.

Kneehole Desk: A desk with a recessed central panel, intended for the user’s legs, allowing for comfortable seating and usage, often found in traditional office settings.

Kerf: Refers to the width of material that is removed by a cutting process. It is often used in the context of cutting wood where the blade removes a certain amount of material.

Kaleidoscope Quilt: A type of quilt that features pieces of fabric arranged to create a visual effect similar to a kaleidoscope, showcasing complex patterns and vibrant colors.

Klismos Chair: An ancient Greek chair with a curved backrest and tapering, out-curving legs.

Korbel: Also spelled corbel, it refers to a structural piece of stone, wood or metal jutting from a wall to carry a weight, typically used in masonry.

Kairos: A term used in design to refer to the opportune moment when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action, the “supreme moment”.

Keystone: The central, topmost stone of an arch, which holds the other stones in place. Symbolically, it is often used in the context of business or architecture as the essential piece that holds everything else together.

L

Lambrequin: A decorative drapery or wood panel mounted at the top of a window, extending down the sides to frame the upper part.

Laminate: A synthetic flooring product made in layers to simulate wood, stone, or tile. It is known for its durability and ease of maintenance.

Louis XVI style: A French design style that emerged around the mid-18th century, characterized by its elegance and neoclassical influences, often featuring straight lines and classical motifs like columns and urns.

Louver: Slats angled to admit light and air, but to keep out rain, direct sunshine, and noise, commonly used in windows, doors, and as room dividers.

Lattice: A framework consisting of a criss-crossed pattern of strips of building material, typically wood or metal. Lattices are often used as screens, both for privacy and as architectural features in gardens.

Lacquer: A protective coating that consists of a resin, cellulose ester, or both, dissolved in a volatile solvent, sometimes with pigment added, used to provide a hard, durable finish in building and furniture.

Lantern: A small structure with openings and a light inside, traditionally used to illuminate surrounding areas; in architecture, it often refers to a structure crowning a dome, with openings to admit light.

Linenfold: An ornamental flat panel of carved wood which resembles folded linen, often used in the decoration of furniture from the late Middle Ages to the 16th century.

Loft: An upper room or floor in a building, typically under the roof and used either for storage or as a living space, often found in commercial buildings converted into residential apartments.

M

Mansard Roof: A four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope, punctured by dormer windows, at a steeper angle than the upper.

Marquetry: The art and craft of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns, designs, or pictures, often seen in fine furniture.

Mid-Century Modern: A design style that characterized much of the furniture and decor from the mid-20th century, known for its clean lines, organic forms, and seamless integration of function and design.

Molding: A strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration.

Mullion: A vertical bar between the panes of glass in a window. Mullions are often structural, dividing windows into smaller sections.

Murphy Bed: A bed that folds into a wall or cabinet to save space, typically used in small apartments or rooms that serve multiple purposes.

Mosaic: A pattern or image made from small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials, commonly used in decorative art or as interior decoration.

Monochromatic: A color scheme based on variations of one color, offering a cohesive and soothing visual experience.

Mantel: The shelf above a fireplace, or the framework around it, often used as a decorative feature or a place to display items.

N

Nesting Tables: A set of small tables that can slide one beneath another, allowing them to be stored in a compact manner but extended when needed.

Niche: A shallow recess, especially one in a wall to display a statue or other ornament, or to be used for storage.

Neoclassical: A style of decorative and architectural design derived from the classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizing symmetry, straight lines, and minimal ornamentation.

Nouveau: Short for Art Nouveau; a style of decorative art, architecture, and design prominent in western Europe and the U.S. from about 1890 until World War I, noted for its floral motifs, curves, and elongated forms.

Nap: The raised surface or fuzz on certain kinds of cloth, such as velvet or moleskin, which can affect the appearance of fabric, especially in upholstery.

Nogging: A technique in timber frame construction where small, flat pieces of wood are inserted between the studs of a wall to provide rigidity and support for plaster or sheathing.

Natural Fiber: Materials like cotton, wool, linen, and silk, derived from plants and animals and used in textiles and decor for their natural beauty and sustainability.

Nonagon: A geometric shape with nine sides and nine angles, occasionally used in architectural design for its unique and visually appealing structure.

Newel: A large baluster or post at the end, corner, or middle of a staircase that supports the handrail.

O

Ottoman: An upholstered seat without back or arms that may be used as a stool, footstool, or coffee table. Often part of living room sets and can be hollowed for storage.

Overlay: A layer of any material fixed on a surface for protection, decoration, or added functionality, often used in woodworking and metalwork.

Oriel: A form of bay window which projects from the main wall of a building but does not reach the ground, supported by corbels or brackets.

Opus Incertum: An ancient Roman construction technique using irregularly shaped and randomly placed uncut stones or fist-sized tuff blocks inserted in a core of opus caementicium.

Ogee: A type of curved shape consisting of a concave arc flowing into a convex arc, so forming an S-shaped curve with vertical ends.

Oxidation: A process by which a material changes due to exposure to oxygen, often resulting in a patina or aging effect, particularly on metals.

Ormolu: A gold-colored alloy of copper, zinc, and sometimes tin, cast into decorative shapes and used for embellishing furniture and various decorative objects.

Organza: A thin, plain weave, sheer fabric traditionally made from silk, used in interiors for curtains and as a decorative element in furniture.

Onyx: A semiprecious stone with color bands, which is a form of chalcedony, used in interiors for countertops, flooring, or as decorative pieces.

P

Paisley: A design pattern characterized by curved, feather-shaped figures based on an Indian motif, commonly used in fabrics and wallpapers.

Palladian: Architectural style characterized by symmetry and classic forms, inspired by the designs of Venetian architect Andrea Palladio.

Parsons Table: A simple, modern rectangular table whose square legs are the same thickness as its top, epitomizing minimalism in design.

Pendant Light: A light fixture that hangs from the ceiling, typically suspended by a cord, chain, or metal rod.

Plinth: A heavy base supporting a statue or vase. In architecture, it’s the base or platform upon which a column, pedestal, statue, monument, or structure is mounted.

Parquet: A geometric mosaic of wood pieces used for decorative flooring. Parquet patterns are often entirely geometrical and angular—squares, triangles, lozenges.

Patina: A surface appearance of something grown beautiful, especially with age or use, often seen on wood and metal surfaces.

Pergola: An outdoor garden feature forming a shaded walkway, passageway, or sitting area of vertical posts or pillars that usually support cross-beams and a durable open lattice, often upon which woody vines are trained.

Pilaster: A rectangular column, especially one projecting from a wall, which is purely ornamental and does not bear any structural load.

Q

Quarter Sawn: A method of cutting wood where the log is first cut into quarters, then the boards are sawn perpendicular to the growth rings. This technique minimizes warping and splitting, producing fine grain patterns highly valued for flooring and furniture.

Quarter Round: A small molding that has a cross-section in the form of a quarter circle, primarily used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decorative purposes.

Quatrefoil: A decorative element consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. It is common in Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Quartz: A hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms, used in the manufacture of various decorative surfaces like countertops due to its durability and wide range of colors.

Quoin: The external angle of a wall or building. In architecture, quoins are often emphasized by a different material, size, or color to improve aesthetic appearance and structural integrity.

Queen Anne Style: An architectural and furniture style that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by ornate trimming, asymmetrical shapes, and the use of curved lines.

Quilted: A sewing technique or effect where two layers of fabric, usually with a layer of padding between them, are stitched together in a decorative pattern. Used in textiles like bedspreads and upholstery.

Quarry Tile: A hard, durable ceramic tile made from natural clay that is fired at high temperatures, making it ideal for floors with heavy traffic.

Quilting: A method of stitching or sewing two or more layers of fabric together to make a thicker padded material, often used in creating patterns on bed coverings or wall hangings.

R

Rattan: A type of climbing palm from which thin strips can be extracted for use in making furniture. It is valued for its lightweight, durability, and flexibility.

Riser: The vertical part between each tread on a staircase.

Rococo: A decorative style of early to mid-18th-century Europe, characterized by elaborate ornamentation, asymmetrical values, pastel color palettes, and gilded statuary.

Rustic: A style emphasizing rugged, natural beauty. It typically involves earthy colors and unfinished elements, and incorporates natural shapes, textures, and materials like wood, stone, and clay.

Reveal: In architecture, a side of an opening for a window or door between the frame and the wall surface, which is set back from the outer surface. Often used decoratively with lighting or contrasting materials.

Risala: A traditional Arabic term for a reception room in a house, typically situated around a courtyard. In modern design, it can refer to any formal seating area or room used for receiving guests.

Railroad Tie: Wooden beams used as a base for railroad tracks. In design, repurposed railroad ties are often used for rustic or industrial-themed furniture and garden paths.

Reeding: A decorative technique where parallel lines are carved into a surface, creating a textured, ribbed effect, similar to fluting but rounded.

Regency Style: An early 19th-century architectural style, named after Prince Regent in the UK, noted for its elegance and simplicity with Greek and Egyptian architectural elements.

S

Scandinavian: A design style originating from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and functionality. It emphasizes clean lines, organic textures, and light, understated colors.

Sconce: A wall-mounted light fixture that provides indirect lighting. Sconces are often used to create mood or accent lighting in a room.

Settee: A seat for two or more persons, having a back and usually arms, and often upholstered; smaller than a sofa but larger than a loveseat.

Shabby Chic: A design style that uses antique and vintage furniture and decor to create an elegant yet rustic aesthetic. It often involves white or pastel color palettes and distressed wood finishes.

Spandrel: The space between the top of one window and the sill of the window above in a multi-story building, or the area between the arch and the rectangular enclosure in arch bridges.

Stucco: A type of plaster used as a coating for walls and ceilings and for decoration, which may be patterned, textured, or smooth.

Soffit: The underside of an architectural structure such as an arch, a balcony, or overhanging eaves.

Serpentine: A term used to describe a curving or winding line that resembles the shape of a snake. Often used in furniture with a serpentine front, characterized by convex and concave curves.

Sustainable: Design practices that prioritize environmental considerations, aiming to minimize negative impacts on the environment and health by conserving energy, reducing waste, and using renewable resources.

T

Terrazzo: A composite material used for floors and walls, consisting of chips of marble, quartz, granite, or glass, set in concrete and polished to produce a smooth surface.

Tête-à-tête: A small sofa or loveseat designed to seat two people facing each other, used in intimate conversations.

Trompe l’oeil: A French term meaning “deceive the eye,” used in painting and decorating to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface.

Transitional: A style blending elements of traditional and contemporary designs to create a harmonious balance. It features clean lines and a neutral color palette.

Travertine: A form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, used especially in building and as a decorative material in both its natural and polished forms.

Tudor Style: An architectural style that emerged in England during the Tudor period, characterized by steeply pitched gable roofs, decorative half-timbering, and tall, narrow windows.

Tulle: A lightweight, very fine, stiff netting fabric, often used for veils, gowns, and as an accent in decorative applications in interior design.

Trestle: A framework consisting of a horizontal beam supported by two pairs of legs, used as a base for some tables.

Toile de Jouy: A type of decorating pattern consisting of a white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme such as (a couple having a picnic by a lake) is printed.

U

Upholstery: The materials—which include fabric, padding, and springs—used to make soft coverings of chairs, sofas, and other furniture. Upholstery work includes both the covering itself and the crafting of furniture pieces with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers.

Urban Modern: A design style that reflects cosmopolitan life, blending modern, industrial, and contemporary elements. It features minimalist furniture, sleek finishes, and a neutral color palette with strategic splashes of bold color.

Undermount Sink: A sink installed underneath the countertop, creating a seamless look that is easy to clean. It’s popular in both kitchens and bathrooms.

Urn: A decorative vase with a rounded body and a foot, used as a garden ornament or architectural detail. Often made from materials like stone or metal.

Urn Table: A type of small table named for its central urn-shaped pedestal.

Upholstered Headboard: A type of headboard for a bed that is covered in fabric and typically padded, providing a soft backrest for sitting up in bed.

Ultrasuede: An artificial suede fabric made from synthetic fibers. It’s used for upholstery, wall coverings, and fashion due to its soft texture and durability.

U-shape Layout: In kitchens, this layout has cabinets and appliances arranged to form a U-shape, providing efficient work zones and ample countertop space.

Utility Room: A room in a house dedicated to functions like laundry, ironing, and storage of cleaning supplies. It is typically equipped with appliances such as washing machines and dryers.

V

Veneer: Thin slices of wood, usually thinner than 3mm, that are typically glued onto core panels (like wood, particle board, or MDF) to produce flat panels such as doors, tops, and panels for cabinets.

Vaulted Ceiling: An architectural element that involves a self-supporting arch above the ceiling level, increasing the space above and adding drama and airiness to a room.

Valance: A form of window treatment that covers the top part of the window and can be hung alone or paired with window blinds or curtains.

Veranda: A roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure.

Vintage: A term used to describe items from a previous era, typically at least 20-30 years old, and noted for their aesthetic and historical value.

Viscose: A type of rayon fiber that is used in a wide variety of applications, including clothing and home textiles, known for its silk-like feel, making it a popular choice for draperies and upholstery fabrics.

Vitrine: A glass display cabinet used to display art, dishes, or collectibles in an attractive and protected environment.

Venetian Plaster: A plastering technique that creates a smooth surface with the illusion of depth and texture, using a mixture of plaster mixed with marble dust, applied in multiple layers, then polished to a high sheen.

W

Wainscoting: Paneling that lines the lower part of the walls of a room. Traditionally made of wood, wainscoting is often painted and used as a decorative element as well as for wall protection.

Wallpaper: Material used to cover and decorate the interior walls of homes, offices, and other buildings; it is one aspect of interior decoration.

Wingback Chair: An easy chair with a high back and wing-like structures on the side, originally designed to protect from drafts but now serves mostly a decorative purpose.

Welting: A fabric-covered cord that is sewn into a seam as a decorative detail or to reinforce the seam. It is often used on upholstery and pillow edges.

Welsh Dresser: A traditional piece of dining room furniture that combines cupboards and shelves, often used to display china and other fine objects.

Window Treatment: Any kind of cover or modification to the window, primarily aimed at enhancing the aesthetics of the window and room. It includes curtains, blinds, shutters, and valances.

Wrought Iron: Iron that has been heated and then worked with tools to shape it, typically used for decorative architectural elements, furniture, and fences.

Work Triangle: A concept in kitchen design that places the range, sink, and refrigerator at the vertices of an imaginary triangle to minimize unnecessary movement.

Watercolor Wallpaper: A style of wallpaper that mimics the fluid and translucent qualities of a watercolor painting, often used for creating soft, artistic backdrops in a room.

X

X-back Chair: A chair that features a backrest with slats crossing in an X shape, often found in dining chairs and occasional chairs. It adds a decorative element while providing back support.

X-brace: A cross or diagonal brace that provides structural support to furniture, particularly in chairs or tables with an X-shaped brace integrated into their design.

Xylotomy: The study of the structure of wood, often used by interior designers and architects to understand the properties of different wood types and their applications in design.

Y

Yardage: The amount of fabric required to complete an interior design project, such as upholstering furniture or making draperies.

Yoke Back Chair: An armchair of Chinese origin that has a top rail and arms that form a ‘U’ shape, which is sometimes described as resembling a yoke. This type of chair often features intricate woodwork and is used in traditional and Asian-inspired interiors.

Yardstick: A measuring stick one yard long, typically used in tailoring and dressmaking, and by extension in interior design for measuring fabrics, spacing, and room dimensions.

Z

Zebrano: Also known as zebrawood, it is a tropical hardwood with a striped grain resembling a zebra’s stripes, used in luxury furniture and flooring.

Zinc: A metal used in furniture and decor, often seen in kitchen countertops and outdoor furniture due to its durability and corrosion resistance.

Zoning: The process of designing a layout in which different areas of a space are designated for different activities, such as cooking, relaxing, or working.

Zigzag Pattern: A pattern characterized by a series of diagonal lines that form sharp angles with one another, commonly used in fabrics and wall coverings.

Zen Garden: A style of Japanese garden that is intended to produce a meditative landscape through carefully composed arrangements of rocks, water features, moss, pruned trees and bushes, and gravel or sand that is raked to represent ripples in water.

Zafferano Glass: Hand-blown glass lighting fixtures and accessories characterized by vibrant colors and modern designs, originating from the Italian term for saffron.

Zebra Shade: A type of window covering that features alternating sheer and solid fabric bands in a single shade.

Zellij: A form of mosaic tilework made from individually chiseled geometric tiles set into a plaster base, part of Moroccan architecture.