Glossary of Interior Design Terms

If you’re an amateur interior designer, perhaps decorating your first home, chances are that you’re unsure of any of the terms that may be used in interior design. While shopping for new furniture and home accessories can be fun, if you’re not sure what you’re talking about, you may have a hard time conveying to various store staff what it is you are trying to accomplish. This glossary of some of the lesser known interior design terms will help you convey your goals and help you complete your goals without looking (or sounding) completely lost.

Commonly used in living room designs and game room designs, the arm chair is an upholstered seat with a upholstered back and arms. The back may or may not be open. It may also go by the name of easy chair or host chair and may or may not recline.

A tall cabinet, the armoire may have drawers, shelves or doors. This furniture pieces can be used in bedroom designs, living room designs and even in dining rooms. Don’t be afraid to store books, clothing, DVDs or even charger plates, place mates and wine glasses in an armoire.

A bergère (pronounced bare jare) chair is an upholstered, closed back chair with upholstered sides and arm rests. Typically it includes carved wooden legs and is commonly used in French country style designs. It is not unusual for a bergère chair to also have a matching ottoman.

Pronounced bombay, the bombé chest is a shorter version of a tall dresser. It typically has a bulge at the front or on the sides and is complete with drawers for storage. Like many chests, it is a versatile piece that can be used in combination with a number of decorating ideas.

The coffee table, an integral part of living room designs, may also be referred to as a cocktail table. It is used in living rooms, family rooms and dens as a place to set beverages, among other items, while gathering with friends or family.

Pronounced ay-tah-jare, the étagère is a cabinet that features open shelves. It is commonly used to display decorative pieces, such as small trinkets.

Finials are decorative ornamentation at the end of drapery rods. However, in interior design, the term finial can also refer to the piece at the top of a lamp or a piece on different types of furniture.

A highboy is a tall dresser or chest of drawers. It may also be referred to as a chest on chest.

A lowboy is essentially the opposite of a high boy. It is a lower chest of drawers mounted on legs.

A secretary is a tall desk with a slanted front for writing or performing other tasks. In living room designs, it is ideal because it incorporates a small work space where there may otherwise be none. The bottom half of a secretary typically consists of open shelving, drawers or cabinetry.

A side chair is an armless chair, commonly used as a dining chair. The seat itself may or may not be upholstered.

A slipper chair is a high backed, armless upholstered chair with a low seat. It is commonly used in bedrooms for putting on shoes or dressing.

A fully upholstered chair, the wing chair features two panels at the top that extend outward; thus the term ‘wing.’