Plain-English dictionary
Design glossary
60 everyday interior-design terms — from accent wall and biophilic to Japandi and wabi-sabi — explained simply, no jargon.
A
- Accent chair
- A single chair chosen to stand out from the main seating, often in a contrasting color, pattern, or shape. It adds visual interest and extra seating without matching a larger set.
- Accent lighting
- Focused light used to highlight a specific object or area, such as artwork, a plant, or an architectural feature. It creates contrast and draws the eye to points of interest.
- Accent wall
- A single wall finished in a different color, pattern, or material than the others in a room. It serves as a focal point and adds depth without overwhelming the space.
- Ambient lighting
- The general, overall illumination of a room that provides a comfortable base level of brightness. It usually comes from ceiling fixtures, recessed lights, or natural daylight.
- Apron
- A horizontal panel or strip that runs beneath a tabletop, countertop, or window sill, connecting the legs or framing the structure. It adds support and visually finishes the edge.
- Area rug
- A large rug that defines and anchors a seating or dining zone within a room. It adds warmth, color, and texture while helping to separate open spaces into areas.
B
- Backsplash
- A protective and decorative surface on the wall behind a sink, stove, or counter, usually made of tile, stone, or glass. It guards the wall from splashes and stains while adding style.
- Banquette
- A built-in or upholstered bench, often placed against a wall or in a corner for dining seating. It saves space and creates a cozy, fixed seating arrangement.
- Biophilic design
- An approach that connects interiors with nature through plants, natural light, organic materials, and outdoor views. It aims to improve well-being by bringing the natural world indoors.
- Boucle
- A looped, textured fabric with a soft, nubby surface, commonly used on chairs and sofas. It adds cozy tactile interest and a relaxed, modern feel to furniture.
C
- Casegoods
- Furniture made mainly to hold or store things, such as dressers, cabinets, and bookcases. Unlike upholstered pieces, casegoods are built from hard materials like wood or metal.
- Chaise
- An elongated chair that supports the legs, allowing a person to recline fully. It is often part of a sofa or used on its own as a lounging piece.
- Color palette
- The set of colors chosen to work together throughout a room or home. A cohesive palette ties furnishings, walls, and accessories into a unified look.
- Complementary colors
- Two colors positioned opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange. Used together, they create strong contrast and visual energy.
- Console table
- A narrow, often tall table placed against a wall, behind a sofa, or in an entryway. It offers a surface for decor and storage without taking up much floor space.
- Cornice
- A decorative molding that runs along the top of a wall where it meets the ceiling, or above windows. It adds an architectural, finished edge to a room.
- Credenza
- A long, low storage cabinet, typically with doors and shelves, used in dining rooms or offices. It provides surface space on top and concealed storage below.
D
- Drapery
- Fabric window coverings that hang in folds, usually heavier and more formal than curtains. They control light and privacy while adding softness and color.
E
- Eclectic
- A decorating style that blends pieces from different eras, styles, and origins into one cohesive look. It relies on a common thread such as color or scale to feel intentional rather than random.
F
- Focal point
- The element in a room that naturally draws the eye first, such as a fireplace, large artwork, or a bold piece of furniture. It anchors the layout and guides how the space is arranged.
G
- Gallery wall
- A grouping of framed art, photos, or objects arranged together on one wall. It creates a curated display and fills vertical space with personality.
- Grout
- The paste-like filler placed between tiles to seal the gaps and hold them in place. Its color can blend the tiles together or define each one with contrast.
H
- Headboard
- The upright panel attached to the head of a bed, against which pillows rest. It adds comfort, style, and a sense of structure to the bed.
- Hygge
- A Danish concept of cozy contentment created through warmth, soft textures, and comfortable surroundings. In decor it favors candles, blankets, and inviting, relaxed spaces.
J
- Japandi
- A hybrid style that blends Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian warmth and function. It favors clean lines, natural materials, and a calm, uncluttered palette.
L
- Loveseat
- A small sofa designed to seat two people. It works well in compact rooms or paired with a larger sofa.
M
- Maximalism
- A bold decorating style that embraces abundance through layered colors, patterns, and collected objects. It celebrates personality and richness rather than restraint.
- Mid-century modern
- A design style from roughly the 1940s to 1960s known for clean lines, organic shapes, and functional simplicity. It often features warm woods, tapered legs, and a mix of natural and man-made materials.
- Minimalism
- A design philosophy focused on simplicity, open space, and only essential furnishings. It uses clean lines and a restrained palette to create calm, uncluttered rooms.
- Mood board
- A visual collage of colors, materials, images, and samples that captures the intended look of a space. Designers use it to plan and communicate a cohesive direction.
N
- Negative space
- The empty or unfilled areas around and between objects in a room. Thoughtful negative space gives the eye rest and makes furnishings feel intentional.
- Neutral palette
- A color scheme built from soft, understated tones such as white, beige, gray, and taupe. It creates a calm, flexible backdrop that suits many styles.
- Nook
- A small, recessed, or tucked-away area within a larger room, often used for reading, seating, or dining. It feels intimate and makes use of otherwise overlooked space.
O
- Open plan
- A layout in which living, dining, and kitchen areas share one continuous space without dividing walls. It encourages flow, light, and social interaction between zones.
- Ottoman
- A padded, backless seat or footrest that often doubles as storage or a low table. It is versatile and can be moved easily around a room.
P
- Palette
- The overall range of colors used in a design scheme. A well-chosen palette keeps a room feeling balanced and intentional.
- Patina
- The soft sheen or surface change that develops on materials like wood, metal, or leather over time. It signals age and character that many find desirable.
- Pendant light
- A single light fixture that hangs from the ceiling by a cord, chain, or rod. It provides focused or decorative light, often over islands, tables, or counters.
- Plinth
- A solid base or platform that supports a piece of furniture, a column, or a sculpture. It raises the object and gives it a grounded, finished appearance.
R
- Runner
- A long, narrow rug suited to hallways, entryways, or alongside a bed. It protects the floor and adds color and texture to tight passages.
S
- Scandinavian design
- A Nordic style defined by light woods, white walls, clean lines, and cozy simplicity. It emphasizes function, natural light, and uncluttered comfort.
- Sconce
- A light fixture mounted on a wall rather than the ceiling or a surface. It provides ambient or accent light and frees up floor and table space.
- Sectional
- A large sofa made of multiple connected sections that form an L or U shape. It offers generous seating and can be configured to fit a room.
- Sideboard
- A long, low cabinet used mainly in dining areas to store dishware and serve food. It combines surface display space with enclosed storage.
- Sisal
- A natural fiber from the agave plant, woven into durable rugs and floor coverings. It brings earthy texture and works well in high-traffic areas.
- Slipcover
- A removable fabric cover fitted over a sofa or chair. It protects upholstery and allows an easy change of look or seasonal refresh.
- Statement piece
- A single bold item, such as a vivid sofa, dramatic light, or large artwork, meant to command attention. It sets the tone and gives a room a clear personality.
T
- Task lighting
- Bright, focused light aimed at a specific activity area like a desk, kitchen counter, or reading chair. It reduces eye strain by illuminating where work is done.
- Texture
- The tactile and visual surface quality of materials, from smooth and glossy to rough and woven. Mixing textures adds depth and warmth to a room.
- Throw pillow
- A small decorative cushion placed on sofas, chairs, or beds. It adds color, pattern, and comfort and is easy to swap out.
- Tone on tone
- A scheme that layers different shades and tints of a single color. It creates a subtle, sophisticated look with quiet contrast.
- Trestle
- A supporting frame of a horizontal beam on splayed legs, used as a base for tables and benches. It gives a sturdy, often rustic or industrial character.
- Trim
- The finishing woodwork around doors, windows, floors, and ceilings, including baseboards and casings. It conceals joints and frames surfaces with a polished edge.
U
- Upholstery
- The padding, springs, and fabric that cover furniture such as sofas and chairs. The choice of upholstery affects comfort, durability, and style.
V
- Valance
- A short fabric or wooden treatment across the top of a window. It hides curtain hardware and adds a decorative finishing touch.
- Vignette
- A small, carefully arranged grouping of objects on a surface like a shelf, mantel, or table. It creates a curated focal moment within a larger space.
W
- Wabi-sabi
- A Japanese aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, age, and natural simplicity. In decor it favors handmade, weathered, and unpolished pieces.
- Wainscoting
- Decorative wood paneling applied to the lower portion of an interior wall. It protects the wall and adds traditional architectural detail.
- Warm white
- A light tone with a soft yellow cast that gives a cozy, inviting glow. It is often preferred in living spaces over cooler, bluer whites.
- Wayfinding
- The use of layout, signage, lighting, and visual cues to help people navigate a space intuitively. Good wayfinding makes a building easy to move through without confusion.
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