{"id":63635,"date":"2026-09-14T13:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T13:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/?p=63635"},"modified":"2026-09-14T13:12:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T13:12:00","slug":"complete-sofa-glossary-75-terms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/complete-sofa-glossary-75-terms\/","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Sofa Glossary: 75 Upholstery, Frame &#038; Style Terms Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Most disappointment with a sofa comes from a vocabulary problem. Two products described in almost identical language can be built completely differently, and the words that separate them, the frame timber, the suspension, the cushion interior and the leather grade, are the ones buyers are least confident reading.<\/p>\n<p>This glossary defines seventy five terms across frames, suspension, cushions, arms, styles, materials and finishing. Each entry is written as a specification rather than a sales description, so the terms can be compared directly between products. Nothing here is ranked or scored, because construction quality depends on how the elements combine rather than on any single term.<\/p>\n<h3>Key findings at a glance<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Frame material and joint type describe structural life; foam and fabric describe comfort and appearance, and the two are routinely confused.<\/li>\n<li>Suspension is the least visible element of a sofa and the one most responsible for how it feels after several years.<\/li>\n<li>Leather terminology is a hierarchy of processing: full grain, top grain, aniline, semi aniline and pigmented all describe different treatments of the same hide.<\/li>\n<li>Bonded leather and faux leather are not leather in the structural sense and should be read as coated materials.<\/li>\n<li>Cushion interiors, rather than cushion covers, determine whether a seat needs regular plumping.<\/li>\n<li>Left hand facing and right hand facing are stated as viewed from the front of the sofa, which is the single most common ordering error on corner units.<\/li>\n<li>The Martindale rub test is a published abrasion measure for upholstery fabrics and is the most useful directly comparable specification available to buyers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Frame and structure<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Kiln dried hardwood frame<\/strong>: timber dried to a controlled moisture content before use, which reduces later warping and joint movement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Softwood frame<\/strong>: a frame built in pine or similar; lighter and less rigid than hardwood, and more dependent on good jointing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Engineered plywood<\/strong>: cross bonded layers used for large frame panels, stable across their width and resistant to splitting at fixings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Corner blocks<\/strong>: triangular blocks glued and screwed into internal corners to stop the frame racking sideways.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dowelled joint<\/strong>: a joint using glued wooden pegs between two members, common and effective when combined with corner blocking.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mortise and tenon<\/strong>: a traditional interlocking joint where a shaped tongue fits a matching socket, used on higher specification frames.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rail<\/strong>: a horizontal frame member running the length or depth of the sofa, carrying the suspension and the arms.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stretcher<\/strong>: a lower member tying legs or side frames together to resist twisting.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Knock down frame<\/strong>: a sofa designed to be assembled and dismantled, usually with bolted arms and back, for access through narrow doorways.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plinth base<\/strong>: a solid recessed base in place of legs, giving a grounded appearance and hiding the floor line.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Turned leg<\/strong>: a leg shaped on a lathe into a rounded profile, associated with traditional and classic styles.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tapered leg<\/strong>: a straight leg narrowing towards the floor, characteristic of mid century influenced designs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Glide<\/strong>: a protective foot fitted under the leg to prevent floor marking and allow the sofa to be moved.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deck<\/strong>: the platform beneath the seat cushions, formed by the suspension and its covering fabric.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Suspension and filling<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Serpentine spring<\/strong>: a zigzag steel spring fixed front to back across the seat frame, giving even support in a shallow build.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pocket spring unit<\/strong>: individually sleeved springs set in a unit, responding independently to pressure across the seat.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eight way hand tied<\/strong>: coil springs tied by hand in eight directions, a labour intensive traditional method used on premium frames.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elasticated webbing<\/strong>: woven straps with rubber content stretched across the frame, light and resilient with a softer initial feel.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jute webbing<\/strong>: a natural fibre webbing used in traditional upholstery, firmer and less elastic than rubberised versions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spring clip<\/strong>: the fixing that holds a serpentine spring to the frame, usually with a nylon insert to prevent squeaking.<\/li>\n<li><strong>High resilience foam<\/strong>: a higher density foam that recovers its shape well and holds its form over time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reflex foam<\/strong>: a firmer, denser foam often used as a base layer beneath a softer top layer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Memory foam layer<\/strong>: a temperature responsive foam layer that contours to the body, typically thin and used on top of a firmer core.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Feather and down fill<\/strong>: a soft natural filling that gives a relaxed look and requires regular plumping to keep its shape.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hollowfibre fill<\/strong>: a synthetic fibre filling, softer than foam and commonly used in back cushions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Foam core with fibre wrap<\/strong>: a foam block wrapped in fibre, combining the support of foam with a softer surface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Cushions and seating<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fixed seat cushion<\/strong>: a seat upholstered directly onto the frame, giving a tailored appearance and a firmer seat.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Loose seat cushion<\/strong>: a separate removable cushion that can be turned and rotated to spread wear.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bench seat<\/strong>: a single continuous seat cushion across the full width, avoiding seams between seating positions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Seat depth<\/strong>: the usable distance from the front edge to the back cushion, typically 50 to 60 cm; deeper seats suit a reclined posture.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Seat height<\/strong>: the height of the compressed seat from the floor, usually 42 to 50 cm, which governs ease of standing up.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Seat width<\/strong>: the internal width available per seating position, with 55 to 60 cm giving comfortable adult seating.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cushion interior<\/strong>: the filling inside the cushion cover, which determines feel and maintenance far more than the outer fabric.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ticking<\/strong>: the inner casing that contains the cushion filling and keeps feather or fibre in place.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plumping<\/strong>: the routine of reshaping and redistributing cushion filling, necessary for feather and fibre but not for foam.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reversible cushion<\/strong>: a cushion upholstered on both faces so it can be turned over to even out wear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Arms and backs<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Scroll arm<\/strong>: an arm curving outward and over in a rolled profile, associated with traditional styling.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Track arm<\/strong>: a straight, squared arm of even height and width, typical of contemporary designs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sloped arm<\/strong>: an arm falling away from the back towards the front, giving a lower line at the front edge.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Flared arm<\/strong>: an arm angled outward from the seat, adding overall width without adding seating space.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cabriole arm<\/strong>: a continuous curved arm and back of the same height, forming an enclosed shape.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Arm cap<\/strong>: a removable protective cover fitted over the arm top where wear is concentrated.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fixed back<\/strong>: a back upholstered onto the frame, holding its shape without maintenance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scatter back<\/strong>: loose back cushions that can be rearranged, giving a relaxed look and needing regular plumping.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pillow back<\/strong>: softer, larger back cushions attached to the frame, combining a tailored line with a soft feel.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bolster<\/strong>: a cylindrical cushion placed at the arm, used for support and to finish a seat visually.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Styles and configurations<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Chesterfield<\/strong>: a deep buttoned sofa with arms and back at equal height and a rolled profile, usually in leather.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawson<\/strong>: a design with loose back cushions and arms set lower than the back, emphasising comfort over structure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tuxedo<\/strong>: a squared design with arms level with the back, producing a formal rectangular outline.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Camelback<\/strong>: a sofa with a raised curved section in the centre of the back, a traditional silhouette.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Corner sofa<\/strong>: an L shaped arrangement, either a single unit or joined sections, used to seat more people along two walls.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chaise end<\/strong>: an extended seat section without an arm at one end, allowing the legs to be raised.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Left hand facing<\/strong>: the chaise or corner sits on the left when standing in front of the sofa and looking at it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Right hand facing<\/strong>: the chaise or corner sits on the right when viewed from the front, the mirror of the above.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Modular group<\/strong>: separate upholstered units combined into one arrangement and reconfigurable later.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Love seat<\/strong>: a compact two seat sofa, suited to small rooms and to pairing opposite a larger piece.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Snuggler<\/strong>: a wide armchair or narrow two seater, broader than a single chair but shorter than a full two seater.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sofa bed<\/strong>: a sofa converting to a sleeping surface, either by folding out a framed mattress or by reclining the back.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Upholstery materials<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Full grain leather<\/strong>: hide with the natural grain surface intact, showing markings and developing a patina with use.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top grain leather<\/strong>: hide with the surface lightly sanded and finished, more uniform in appearance than full grain.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aniline leather<\/strong>: leather dyed through without a surface pigment coating, soft and natural looking but readily marked.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Semi aniline leather<\/strong>: aniline dyed leather with a light protective coating, balancing natural appearance with practicality.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pigmented leather<\/strong>: leather with a surface pigment layer, the most uniform and the most resistant to staining.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bonded leather<\/strong>: leather fibres bonded with a backing and a surface coating; it is a composite material rather than a hide.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Faux leather<\/strong>: a coated synthetic fabric made to resemble leather, with no hide content.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chenille<\/strong>: a soft woven fabric with a raised pile that catches the light, hard wearing in a tight weave.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Velvet<\/strong>: a dense short pile fabric with a directional nap that shades differently depending on the angle of view.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Boucle<\/strong>: a looped yarn fabric with a textured surface, visually soft and prone to snagging with pets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Detailing, finishing and specification<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Piping<\/strong>: a corded edge sewn into a seam, defining the outline of cushions and arms and strengthening the seam.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Topstitching<\/strong>: visible stitching worked on the outer surface as a decorative and reinforcing detail.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deep buttoning<\/strong>: buttons pulled through the upholstery to create the regular indentations seen on Chesterfield designs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ruching<\/strong>: gathered fabric worked into a seam or panel to add texture and absorb fullness.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Skirt<\/strong>: a fabric valance running to the floor in place of exposed legs, giving a softer, more traditional base.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Removable cover<\/strong>: an upholstery cover that unzips for cleaning or replacement, extending the useful life of a sound frame.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Martindale rub test<\/strong>: a published abrasion test result for upholstery fabric, useful as a direct comparison of durability between fabrics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Reading a specification in practice<\/h3>\n<p>The table below groups the terms that most often decide whether a sofa suits a household, and states what to look for in each.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Specification area<\/th>\n<th>Terms to check<\/th>\n<th>What it affects<\/th>\n<th>Practical guidance<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Frame<\/td>\n<td>Kiln dried hardwood, corner blocks, dowelled joint<\/td>\n<td>Structural life of the sofa<\/td>\n<td>The part that cannot be replaced later, so prioritise it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Suspension<\/td>\n<td>Serpentine, pocket sprung, elasticated webbing<\/td>\n<td>How the seat feels after several years<\/td>\n<td>Sprung systems hold support longer than webbing alone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Seat filling<\/td>\n<td>High resilience foam, feather, fibre wrap<\/td>\n<td>Firmness and maintenance<\/td>\n<td>Foam holds shape; feather and fibre need plumping<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cover<\/td>\n<td>Chenille, velvet, boucle, Martindale rating<\/td>\n<td>Wear, appearance and pets<\/td>\n<td>Tight weaves resist snagging; check the rub figure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Leather grade<\/td>\n<td>Full grain, aniline, pigmented, bonded<\/td>\n<td>Appearance, marking and longevity<\/td>\n<td>Pigmented is the most forgiving in a family room<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Configuration<\/td>\n<td>Left hand facing, right hand facing, modular<\/td>\n<td>Whether the sofa fits the room as drawn<\/td>\n<td>Orientation is stated as viewed from the front<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Access<\/td>\n<td>Knock down frame, modular section<\/td>\n<td>Whether it can be delivered at all<\/td>\n<td>Compare sofa depth to the narrowest doorway<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>What this means for UK homes<\/h3>\n<p>Read a sofa specification in the order the elements will fail. Frame first, because it cannot be repaired in a domestic setting. Suspension second, because it determines the seat in five years rather than on the showroom floor. Filling third, since cushion interiors can be replaced. Cover last, because a removable cover is the easiest element to renew. Descriptions that talk only about the fabric are describing the least permanent part of the sofa.<\/p>\n<p>Translate the terms into measurements before ordering. Allow 55 to 60 cm of seat width per adult, so a 210 cm three seater genuinely seats three and a 180 cm one comfortably seats two. Check seat depth against the household: 50 to 55 cm suits upright sitting, and 60 cm and beyond suits lounging but is uncomfortable for anyone who prefers their feet flat on the floor. Keep 40 to 45 cm between the sofa front and the coffee table and at least 70 cm of walkway on the access side. Anyone comparing options across the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/sofa-furniture\/\">sofa furniture UK<\/a> category should compare these numbers rather than the descriptive names.<\/p>\n<p>Match the material to the household rather than to the room scheme. Pets and boucle are a poor combination, velvet shows its nap and needs brushing in one direction, and pigmented leather handles family use far better than aniline. Where the sofa will double as a bed, check the open dimensions rather than the closed ones. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/3-seater-fabric-sofas\/\">3 seater fabric sofas UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/leather-sofas\/\">modern leather sofas UK<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/sofa-beds\/\">sofa beds UK<\/a> ranges all state these specifications, and the whole collection sits at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\">Furniture in Fashion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Methodology<\/h3>\n<p>This glossary was compiled in 2026 from established upholstery and furniture trade terminology, standard furniture dimensions and our editorial assessment as a UK furniture retailer of which specifications matter in domestic use. Definitions describe construction and materials as they are conventionally understood in the industry. No durability scores, brand comparisons, test results or market figures are published, and the report contains no proprietary sales data, search data or survey fieldwork. Fabric abrasion figures should be read from the specific product specification supplied by the manufacturer.<\/p>\n<h3>Citing this report<\/h3>\n<p>Journalists, interiors titles and websites may cite this glossary with credit to Furniture in Fashion and a link to this page, published in 2026. It is accurately described as a reference glossary of upholstery, frame and style terminology compiled by a UK furniture retailer. It does not rank or test products.<\/p>\n<h3>Frequently asked questions<\/h3>\n<h3>What is the difference between top grain and bonded leather?<\/h3>\n<p>Top grain is a genuine hide with a lightly finished surface. Bonded leather is a composite of leather fibres on a backing with a coating applied, so it behaves like a coated material rather than a hide.<\/p>\n<h3>Does left hand facing mean the corner is on my left?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, when you are standing in front of the sofa looking at it. This convention causes more ordering errors on corner units than any other specification.<\/p>\n<h3>Which sofa suspension lasts longest?<\/h3>\n<p>Sprung systems, whether serpentine or pocket sprung, generally hold their support longer than webbing alone. The frame and the joints matter just as much, since suspension is only as good as what it is fixed to.<\/p>\n<h3>What seat depth should I choose?<\/h3>\n<p>Around 50 to 55 cm suits upright sitting and makes standing up easier. Depths of 60 cm and more suit lounging but leave shorter users without back support unless cushions are added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":63636,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[1416,6545,1173,1075],"class_list":["post-63635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-living-room-furniture","tag-buying-guide","tag-glossary","tag-sofas","tag-upholstery"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63635"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63635\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64135,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63635\/revisions\/64135"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}