Furniture Terms

• Polyester
  A type of upholstery that is durable and easy to clean.
• Piping
  Individually stuffed strips or pipes of upholstery on a piece of furniture’s back.
• Pad Foot
  A round foot with a circular base, usually at the end of a Cabriole leg.
• Panel Bed
  A bed with tall, flat headboards and footboards, which may be decorated with molding and groove work.
• Platform Bed
  A platform bed sits low to the floor, and typically doesn’t need a box spring for support.
• Pressure Points
  The points on a mattress where pressure can build up while sleeping, usually around the shoulders and hips.
• Pillowtop Mattress
  The softest style of mattress, with extra padding for maximum comfort.
• Plush Mattress
  A softer style of mattress with less support but more comfort.
• Punch-out Back
  Panel backing on an entertainment center with sections that can be punched out to make room for cables and wires.
• Parsons Table
  A rectangular table with straight, blocky legs.
• Pedestal Table
  A table supported by a single central pedestal in place of legs.
• Pedestal Desk
  A desk supported by a pair of pedestals on either end.
• Playpen
  A portable piece of furniture with raised sides and a padded bottom, where a small baby can play safely.
• Plant Stand
  A small table or pedestal that holds a potted plant.
• Planter
  A decorative container for holding plants.
• Paperweight
  A decorative item used to hold down stacks of paper.
• Pile Weave
  Any type of upholstery with raised nap, such as velvet or corduroy.
• Polystyrene
  A synthetic material used to reproduce wood trim or frames.
• Polyurethane
  A synthetic foam material used for couch cushions.
• Print
  A fabric with a decorative design printed onto the surface, instead of being woven into the material itself.
• Pegged Joint
  A joint that holds two pieces of wood together with wooden pegs.
• Palmette
  A decorative woodworking technique consisting of fan-shaped leaves like a palm tree.
• Pearling
  A decorative pattern of round shapes in the appearance of a string of beads or pearls.
• Poplar
  A type of wood that is common in woodworking because it is inexpensive and easy to work with.
• Plywood
  Manufactured wood created by alternating layers of wood with the grains perpendicular to each other.
• Poly Dacron Wrap
  A seat cushion made from a soft polyester material wrapped around a polyurethane core.
• Pressboard
  Also known as particle board, a strong, glazed wood often used as the backing of a shelf.
• Patina
  A natural wood finished made over time by age and regular polishing.
• Pickled Finish
  A wood finishing technique of rubbing white paint onto already stained and finished wood.
• Patera
  Oval carving on the skirts and legs of tables.
• Pediment
  An arched or crowned top of a cabinet or armoire.
• Pearwood
  A light colored wood commonly used in carving.
• Pine
  A type of wood that is resistant to swelling and warping, commonly used for furniture and molding.
• Pecan
  A strong hardwood commonly used in dining room and office furniture.
• Pure Aniline
  Leather upholstery that has been Aniline Dyed and shows off the natural markings and grain of the leather.
• Patina
  A term used to refer to the surface luster of leather which grows more beautiful over time.
• Pigment Finish
  Leather upholstery which has been coated with a colored pigment for a more uniform shade and resistance to fading.
• Papasan Chair
  A large, round chair with a bowl-like shape, often with a wicker or rattan base.
• Parsons Chair
  An armless chair with a straight-lined back and a cushioned back and seat.
• Polychrome
  A term referring to decorations that include three or more colors.
• Provincial
  A furniture style based on simple, peasant-like designs.
• Partner’s Desk
  A large desk that seats two people, one on each side, facing each other.
• Portemanteau
  A coat rack or hall tree.
• Porte-parapluies
  An umbrella stand.
• P-top Desk
  Similar to a Bullet Desk, but with an P-shaped extension on the rounded end.
• Pneumatic Height Adjustment
  An adjustment on an office chair that allows the seat to be moved up and down.