Furniture Terms Glossary

Terms — F

Fat Liquoring

A method of replacing depleted oils to leather in order to ensure fiber cohesion and uniform coating of the leather.

Fat Wrinkle

A natural wrinkle in leather upholstery, usually seen in Full Grain Leather.

Fauteuil

An open-armed chair with an upholstered seat and back, based on a French design.

Faux Finish

A type of decorative finish designed to imitate the natural look of the wood.

Feather Banding

Bands of veneer laid diagonally against each other to create a feather-like design.

Federal

A furniture style from early American times, usually in mahogany, and often featuring an eagle as a design ornament.

Ferrule

A metal ring, cap, or casing attached to the bottom of chair and table legs for extra strength and aesthetic purposes.

Fiberfil

Polyester material used as cushion filling.

Fiddle Back

A chair back shaped like a fiddle.

File Cabinet

A narrow cabinet with tall drawers, used for storing files and paperwork.

Finger Joint

Joints made from interlocking finger-like projections at the end of a piece of wood.

Finials

Decorative pieces capping the tops of bed posts.

Fir

A wood with uniform texture that is commonly used for veneer.

Fireplace

A hearth connected to a chimney, where a fire can be lit inside the home.

Firm Mattress

A mattress with a tight layer of cushioning for the maximum support, but with less flexibility than softer mattresses.

Flat Weave

Any type of upholstery without piles, such as satin or tweed.

Flip-top

A table with two leaves, where one is flipped and folded over the other when not in use.

Floor Lamp

A tall, freestanding lamp with a wide base.

Flounce

A strip of fabric gathered or pleated and sewn into a piece of fabric as decoration.

Fluting

Parallel grooves carved into the length of a chair or table leg for decoration.

Foam Density

A measurement of the density of the material in a memory foam mattress, which affects the firmness and support.

Foam Encased Mattress

A mattress with coils encased in foam for extra durability and support.

Folding Bed

A bed on a folding frame, which allows the bed to be folded up and tucked away for storage.

Folding Screen

A type of room divider made from several tall panels with hinges allowing the screen to be folded for storage.

Footboard

A panel of wood at the foot of the bed.

Formal Dining Room

A dining room with higher quality furniture, usually reserved purely for dining rather than for casual household use.

Formal Dining Room Set

A matched set of formal dining furniture, such as a dining table, chairs, and centerpieces.

Formal Dining Room Table

A large table used for formal dining, sometimes with extra panels that can be added to adjust the table�s size.

Formica

A durable plastic laminate material used on countertops.

Foundation

A base which rests under a bed and supports the mattress.

Four Poster Bed

A bed with four high posts at each corner, designed to hold up curtains that surround the bed or to be purely decorative.

Fretwork

An ornamental geometric design cut with a fret saw, scrolls saw, or jig saw.

Full Bed

Also known as a Double Bed, a Full Bed is a medium-sized bed. Dimensions: 54 in � 75 in

Full Grain Leather

Leather upholstery that has not been sanded, buffed, or in other ways altered.

Futon

A low sofa that can be turned into a bed by lowering the back side so the mattress lays flat.