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Furniture Terminology Explained

Furniture Terminology Explained

Sometimes it’s not so easy to tell what differentiates various upholstery fabrics or how to identify high-quality furniture construction. There are many terms that can be useful when buying furniture. Here's a helpful overview of the most important technical expressions.

Test Results

When comparing upholstery fabrics, it’s worth looking at recognized test ratings. Common tests assess factors like abrasion resistance and colorfastness.

Pilling Quality Testing:
Measures how well a fabric resists forming small fabric balls (pilling).

Value 2–3: acceptable standard with some tendency to pill
Value 4–5: very high quality, little to no pilling

Color fastness to light:
Indicates how resistant the fabric color is to fading when exposed to light.

Scale from 1 (very poor) to 8 (excellent)

Martindale Rating:
Indicates how much abrasion a fabric can withstand.

20,000–30,000: suitable for heavily used household furniture
30,000+: suitable for commercial use (e.g., restaurants)

Dry Rub Test:
Measures how much color transfers when the fabric is rubbed while dry.

Scale from 1–5 (5 = best resistance)

Wet Rub Test:
Measures colorfastness under wet friction.

Scale from 1–5 (recommended values: 3–4)

Construction & Wood Types

When buying furniture, it pays off to look behind the surface. Material choice and craftsmanship determine comfort and durability.

FSC Certified:
Products with the FSC label contain at least 50% wood from responsibly managed forests.

Solid Wood:
Solid wood furniture is sturdy and long-lasting. Minor cracks or slight movement in the wood may occur due to changes in humidity.

Veneer:
Veneered furniture consists of a base material (like MDF) and a thin layer of real wood. It’s typically more stable and less prone to warping than solid wood.

HDF:
High Density Fiberboard is denser and more durable than regular particle board or MDF.

Mattresses & Sleep Comfort

There are also many terms you’ll come across when shopping for a mattress:

HR Polyurethane Foam:
High-quality foam with excellent elasticity and long-lasting performance.

Latex:
A natural, breathable material that adapts well to body contours and offers excellent pressure relief.

35 kg/m³:
Indicates foam density. The higher the density, the more durable the mattress.

Pocket Spring:
Each spring is encased in its own fabric pocket, offering precise support and increased durability.

Zone Support:
Multiple comfort zones offer tailored support for areas like shoulders, waist and hips. The more zones, the more refined the support.