Essential Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

Shopping for furniture in Singapore can be overwhelming, especially when you encounter unfamiliar terms. Whether you are furnishing a new BTO flat or upgrading your home, understanding common furniture terminology helps you make smarter purchasing decisions. Rozel Furnishing has put together this comprehensive furniture glossary to help you shop with confidence.

A

Accent Chair — A decorative chair designed to complement the main seating in a room. Accent chairs add visual interest and extra seating without dominating the space.

Armrest — The side support on a sofa or chair where you rest your arms. Armrests can be padded, wooden, or adjustable depending on the furniture design.

B

Bed Frame — The structural base that supports your mattress and box spring. Bed frames come in various styles including platform, divan, and storage bed frames. Rozel Furnishing offers a range of bed frames to suit every bedroom style.

Bonded Leather — A material made from a blend of real leather fibres and synthetic materials. Bonded leather is more affordable than full-grain leather but less durable over time.

Box Spring — A supportive base placed beneath a mattress to absorb shock and provide additional height. Not all bed frames require a box spring — platform beds, for example, have built-in slat support.

C

Chaise Lounge — An elongated chair or sofa extension designed for reclining. Often found as part of an L-shaped sofa configuration, chaise lounges are popular in Singapore living rooms.

Coffee Table — A low table placed in front of a sofa, used for placing drinks, books, and decorative items. Coffee tables come in various materials including wood, glass, marble, and sintered stone.

Console Table — A narrow, long table typically placed against a wall or behind a sofa. TV consoles are a popular variation designed to hold televisions and media equipment.

Credenza — A long, low storage cabinet often used in dining rooms or living areas. Similar to a sideboard, credenzas offer enclosed storage for tableware, linens, or media equipment.

D

Divan Bed — A bed base that consists of a sturdy wooden frame wrapped in fabric, often with built-in storage drawers. Divan beds are space-efficient and popular in Singapore HDB bedrooms.

Dining Set — A matching combination of a dining table and chairs sold together as a package. Rozel Furnishing offers complete dining sets in various sizes to fit Singapore homes.

Dowel Joint — A woodworking joint where wooden pins (dowels) are used to connect two pieces of wood. Dowel joints are commonly found in quality furniture construction.

E

Ergonomic — Designed to provide optimal comfort and support for the human body. Ergonomic furniture reduces strain and promotes good posture, especially important for office chairs and study desks.

Extendable Table — A dining table with a built-in extension mechanism that allows you to increase the table length when needed. Perfect for small Singapore homes that occasionally host larger gatherings.

F

Fabric Sofa — A sofa upholstered in textile material such as cotton, linen, polyester, or microfibre. Fabric sofas offer a wide range of colours and textures and are generally more affordable than leather options.

Full-Grain Leather — The highest quality leather that retains the entire grain surface. Full-grain leather is extremely durable, develops a beautiful patina over time, and is the premium choice for leather sofas.

G

Grain (Wood) — The natural pattern and texture visible on the surface of wood. Different wood species have distinctive grain patterns that affect the appearance of furniture.

Glass Top — A furniture surface made of glass, commonly used for coffee tables, dining tables, and TV consoles. Tempered glass is the preferred choice for safety and durability.

H

Hardwood — Wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak, walnut, teak, and mahogany. Hardwoods are denser and more durable than softwoods, making them ideal for quality furniture construction.

High-Density Foam — A firm, durable foam used in sofa cushions and mattresses. Higher density foam provides better support and retains its shape longer than standard foam.

K

Kiln-Dried Wood — Wood that has been dried in a controlled environment to remove moisture. Kiln-dried wood is more stable and less prone to warping or cracking, making it superior for furniture construction.

L

L-Shaped Sofa — A sofa configuration that forms an L shape, typically consisting of a regular sofa section and a chaise lounge extension. L-shaped sofas maximise seating in corner spaces and are extremely popular in Singapore living rooms.

Laminate — A synthetic material made by pressing layers of paper and resin together under high heat. Laminate surfaces are scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and available in many colours and wood-look finishes.

M

Mattress — A padded sleeping surface placed on a bed frame. Common types include spring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses, and hybrid mattresses. Rozel Furnishing carries a selection of quality mattresses for restful sleep.

MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) — An engineered wood product made from wood fibres bonded with resin. MDF is commonly used in furniture for smooth, paintable surfaces but is less durable than solid wood.

Microfibre — A synthetic fabric made from extremely fine fibres. Microfibre upholstery is soft, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, making it a popular choice for family sofas.

P

Patina — The natural ageing process that gives leather and wood a richer, more character-filled appearance over time. A well-developed patina is considered a desirable feature of quality furniture.

Platform Bed — A bed frame with a solid or slatted base that supports a mattress without requiring a box spring. Platform beds sit lower to the ground and offer a modern, minimalist look.

Plywood — An engineered wood made from thin layers of wood veneer glued together. Plywood is stronger than MDF and is commonly used in quality furniture construction for its stability and durability.

R

Recliner — A chair or sofa with a mechanism that allows the backrest to recline and a footrest to extend. Recliners are popular for their comfort and are available in manual and motorised versions.

Rubberwood — A sustainable hardwood harvested from rubber trees after their latex-producing life. Rubberwood is commonly used in furniture manufacturing in Southeast Asia and offers good durability at an affordable price.

S

Sintered Stone — A man-made material created by compressing natural stone particles under extreme heat and pressure. Sintered stone is highly durable, scratch-resistant, and heat-resistant — making it popular for dining tables and coffee tables.

Slat Base — A bed frame support system consisting of wooden or metal slats spaced across the frame. Slat bases provide ventilation for the mattress and flexible support for the sleeper.

Solid Wood — Furniture made entirely from natural timber without engineered wood components. Solid wood furniture is highly durable, can be refinished multiple times, and is considered a premium material.

T

Tempered Glass — Glass that has been heat-treated to increase its strength. Tempered glass is up to five times stronger than regular glass and breaks into small, less dangerous pieces if shattered.

Top Grain Leather — The second-highest quality of leather, where the surface has been lightly sanded to remove imperfections. Top grain leather is softer and more uniform than full-grain leather.

TV Console — A furniture piece designed to hold a television and store media equipment, cables, and accessories. TV consoles come in wall-mounted and floor-standing designs.

U

Upholstery — The fabric, leather, or other material used to cover furniture such as sofas, chairs, and bed frames. The choice of upholstery significantly affects the look, feel, and durability of a piece.

V

Veneer — A thin layer of real wood applied over a less expensive base material like plywood or MDF. Veneer gives furniture the appearance of solid wood at a lower cost while still showcasing natural wood grain.

W

Wardrobe — A tall storage cabinet used for hanging and storing clothes. Wardrobes can be freestanding or built-in, with options for sliding doors, hinged doors, and internal organisers.

Webbing — Interwoven elastic or jute strips used in sofa and chair construction to support seat cushions. Quality webbing provides better long-term support and prevents sagging.

Shop Quality Furniture at Rozel Furnishing

Now that you understand these essential furniture terms, you are better equipped to make informed purchasing decisions. Visit Rozel Furnishing to explore our extensive collection of sofas, dining sets, bedroom furniture, coffee tables, TV consoles, and more. Our knowledgeable team is always ready to help you find the perfect furniture for your Singapore home.