Furniture Glossary of Terms
There are currently 28 terms in this directory beginning with the letter T.
T-cushion
cushion of an upholstered sofa, loveseat, or chair on which the arms are set back from the front edge; the cushion extends from the from edge of the seat to the front of the arm. The resulting outline is in the shape of a letter "T".
tall boy
a set of chests that are stacked one on top of the other. Frequently the lower one consists of a large three or four drawer unit and the upper of a taller piece with smaller drawers, often crowned with a cornice and pediment. Also know as a chest-on-chest.
tête-à-tête
a small bench with an s-shaped back that crosses the seat that allows two people to sit facing each other, Also known as a courting bench.
theater seating
modular reclining chairs that can be joined at the arms, either flush, or in an arch and are designed for optimal screen viewing in a home theater.
theater sofa
a large sofa curved in an arch when viewed from above. Designed for use in a home theater, a theater sofa is intended to provide all of the individuals sitting on it a good view of the home theater screen.
ticking
a heavy, strong fabric used to cover mattresses. Traditional ticking features a white ground with indigo stripes. Present-day use of the traditional ticking pattern is more common as an upholstery or drapery accent fabric.
tight back
upholstery with a padded back directly over the frame of the piece, without additional back cushions.
tight seat
an upholstered piece on which the fabric covering the seat is attached directly to the frame and does not have a removable seat cushion.
tilt top table
a table with a top that can be tilted to a vertical position so that it may be stored close to a wall. The top is laid horizontal for regular use.
toile
a white or off-white fabric printed with one color, commonly red or black, depicting classical or pastoral scenes.
top grain leather
leather with the outermost layers of the hide left in tact. Generally considered high quality.
topstitching
a single or double row of stitching close to the seam or edge on the outer side of the fabric.
torchiere
a floor lamp that provides soft, indirect lighting by guiding light upward from a reflective bowl or inverted cone.
transitional
a furniture style in which design elements are toned down so that the piece may fit with a traditional or more contemporary décor.
travertine
a variety of stone used as a surface top in furniture. It varies in color from cream to beige and taupe.
triple dresser
three or more sets of drawers side-by-side, used for the storage of clothing in a bedroom. A triple dresser is usually wider than it is tall and a mirror is frequently placed above.
Trompe l'oeil
painting style that means "fool the eye" in French. Two-dimensional surfaces are painted to look as if three dimensional objects are resting on them.
tumbling
a process in which tanned hides are placed in drums with heat and water and tumbled to a desired softness. Also call "milling".
tung oil
a drying oil produced from nuts of the tung tree, used in furniture finishes as a protective sealant.
tuxedo arms
an upholstery style with straight-lines, or slightly flared interior edges; the arm height is usually the same height as the back, however scatter-back cushions may extend higher.