The Complete Sofa Glossary: 75 Upholstery, Frame & Style Terms Explained

Most disappointment with a sofa begins as a vocabulary problem, with two near identically described products built in completely different ways, according to a new reference glossary published by UK furniture retailer Furniture in Fashion. The guide defines seventy five terms across frames, suspension, cushions, arms, silhouettes, upholstery materials and finishing, written as specifications rather than sales descriptions so that products can be compared directly. It separates the terms that describe structural life, such as kiln dried hardwood frames, corner blocks and serpentine springs, from those describing comfort and appearance, and sets out the leather hierarchy from full grain through aniline to pigmented, noting that bonded and faux leather are coated composites rather than hides. Left hand facing and right hand facing are identified as the most common ordering error on corner units. Seat width, depth and clearance figures are included for translating terminology into room measurements....