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Bedroom Furniture » Furniture Glossary
Furniture Glossary
| Furniture Glossary |
From Wikipedia
Bed frames, also called bed steads, are made of wood or metal. The frame is made up of head, foot, and side rails. For heavy duty or larger frames (such as for queen- and king-sized beds), the bed frame also includes a center support rail. These rails are assembled to create a box for the mattress or mattress/box spring to sit on.
Types of bed frames are:
platform - typically used without a box spring
captain - has drawers beneath the frame to make use of the space between the floor and the bed frame
waterbed - a heavy-duty frame built specifically to support the weight of the water in the mattress
Though not truly parts of a bed frame, many people include headboards, footboards, and bed rails in their definition of bed frames. Headboards and footboards can be wood or metal. They can be stained, painted, or covered in fabric or leather.
Bed rails are made of wood or metal and are attached to a headboard and footboard. Wooden slats are placed perpendicular to the bed rails to support the mattress/mattress box spring.
A Canopy bed is a decorative bed somewhat similar to a four poster bed. A typical canopy bed usually features posts at each of the four corners extending four feet high or more above the mattress. Ornate or decorative fabric is often draped across the upper space between the posts and a solid swath of cloth may create a ceiling, or canopy directly over the bed.
Today’s canopy beds generally fit into one of two categories: traditional or contemporary. Most of the traditional canopy beds will have a Victorian aesthetic, with either metal rod frames or intricately carved wood frames and posts. These throwbacks will also often feature ruffled, pleated elaborate draping, sometimes with rather heavy cloth. In contrast, contemporary canopy beds generally employ a cleaner, simpler design. Wood, metal, or a combination of the two is used in the construction of modern canopy beds, which usually have little to no detail on the foot and headboards and often feature sharp, geometric designs.
A Four Poster bed is a bed with four vertical columns, one in each corner, that support a tester, or upper (usually rectangular) panel. There are a number of antique four poster beds dating to the 16th century and earlier; many of these early beds are highly ornate and are made from oak. An example of such an early 16th century four poster resides in Crathes Castle, which was made for the original castle owners in the Burnett of Leys family.
Platform beds are beds whose base consists of a raised, flat, hard, horizontal surface meant to support just a mattress. Platform beds provide firm cushioning and with the support of slats or solid paneling, they eliminate the need for a box spring or a mattress foundation; they give adequate support for a mattress by itself.
Many platform beds have a contemporary style that usually feature clean lines, neutral elements and solid color characteristics. These typically reflect European styles which usually include low features with straight bold lines. Some styles incorporate microfiber and leather padding on a headboard for use as a backrest when sitting in bed.
Traditional platform beds are modeled after the Arts & Crafts era of furniture. These beds produce the traditional look and feel of that early mission furniture but in the design of a platform bed. Transitional platform bed styles often reflect a more modern look but using traditional styling techniques to accent delicate modern scroll work contained within the headboard.
These copy a style found in old traditional looking frames, though like all platform beds, it is designed with slats and does not require a box spring.
Some platform beds have drawers underneath the frame as storage space. Which may be located beneath the side rails or may include drawers incorporated into the footboard of the bed. Many other storage platform beds offer retractable storage headboard units which offer deep storage.
A sleigh bed are beds whose base consists of a raised, flat, hard, horizontal surface meant to su is a style of bed with curved or scrolled foot and headboards, thus resembling a sled or sleigh. Often made of wood and quite heavy, the sleigh bed is a result of the French and American Empire period of the early 1800s. The Empire style drew its inspiration from the empires of ancient Rome and Greece.
Today's sleigh beds are made from a variety of materials including wood, iron, steel and aluminum, and often possess less exaggerated curves of the foot and headboards.
An Armoire is a cabinet used for storing clothes. The earliest wardrobe was a chest, and it was not until some degree of luxury was attained in regal palaces and the castles of powerful nobles that separate accommodation was provided for the sumptuous apparel of the great. The name of wardrobe was then given to a room in which the wall-space was filled with cupboards and lockers, the drawer being a comparatively modern invention. From these cupboards and lockers the modern wardrobe, with its hanging spaces, sliding shelves and drawers, evolved slowly.
In its movable form as an oak "hanging cupboard" it dates back to the early 17th century. For probably a hundred years such pieces, massive and cumbrous in form, but often with well-carved fronts, were produced in moderate numbers; then the gradual diminution in the use of oak for cabinet-making produced a change of fashion.
Walnut succeeded oak as the favourite material for furniture, but hanging wardrobes in walnut appear to have been made very rarely, although clothes presses, with drawers and sliding trays, were frequent.
During a large portion of the 18th century the tallboy was much used for storing clothes.
In the nineteenth century the wardrobe began to develop into its modern form, with a hanging cupboard at each side, a press in the upper part of the central portion and drawers below. As a rule it was often of mahogany, but as satinwood and other hitherto scarce finely grained foreign woods began to be obtainable in considerable quantities, many elaborately and even magnificently inlaid wardrobes were made.
Where Chippendale and his school had carved, Sheraton and their contemporaries achieved their effects by the artistic employment of deftly contrasted and highly polished woods.
The first step in the evolution of the wardrobe was taken when the central doors, which had previously enclosed merely the upper part, were carried to the floor, covering the drawers as well as the sliding shelves, and were often fitted with mirrors.
A dresser, also known as chest of drawers or bureau, is a piece of furniture which has multiple parallel, horizontal drawers stacked one above each other.
Dressers have traditionally been made and used for storing clothing, especially underwear, socks, and other items not normally hung in or otherwise stored in a closet. Dressers are often placed in a bedroom for this purpose, but can actually be used to store anything that will fit inside and can be placed anywhere in a house or another place. Various personal sundry items are also often stored in a dresser. It has a long history as one of the stand-bys of a carpenter's workshop. A typical dresser is approximately rectangular in overall shape and often has short legs at the bottom corners for placement on the floor.
Chests of drawers often come in 5-, 6-, and 7-drawer varieties, with either a single or a split top drawer. Dressers are commonly made of wood, similar to many other kinds of furniture, but of course can be made of other materials. The inside of the drawers can be accessed by pulling them out at the front side of the dresser. A dresser is often placed so that the back side faces a wall since access to the back is not necessary. The lateral sides of the dressers are also usually made such that they can be placed against a wall; for example, for placement in a room corner. Although dressers can be made plain in appearance, they can also be made with a fancy or ornamental appearance, including finishes and various external color tones.
Most dressers fall into one of two types: those which are about waist-high or bench-high and dressers (usually with more drawers) which are about shoulder-high. Both types typically have a flat surface on top; of course, items can be placed on top. Waist-high dressers often have a mirror placed vertically on top; the mirror is often bought with the dresser. While a user is getting dressed or otherwise preparing their grooming, he/she can look at themselves in the mirror to check their appearance. Some users may keep lamps for lighting on top of either kind of dresser, and decorative items or photos are sometimes added for appearance.
A futon is a type of mattress that makes up a Japanese bed. They are sold in Japan at specialty stores called futon-ya as well as at department stores.
Japanese futons are flat, about 5 cm (2 in) thick with a fabric exterior stuffed with cotton or synthetic batting. They are often sold in sets which include the futon mattress (shikibuton), a comforter (kakebuton) or blanket (mōfu), a summer blanket resembling a large towel, and pillow (makura), generally filled with beans, buckwheat chaff or plastic beads. Such sets can be purchased for under 10,000 yen (US$90 as of 2005).
Futons are designed to be placed on tatami flooring, and are traditionally folded away and stored in a closet during the day to allow the tatami to breathe and to allow for flexibility in the use of the room. Futons must be aired in sunlight regularly, especially if not put away during the day. In addition, many Japanese people beat their futons regularly using a special tool, traditionally made from bamboo, resembling a Western carpet beater.
Western futons are only loosely based on the Japanese original, with several major differences.
They are often placed on a configurable frame for dual use as a bed and a chair or couch. They are usually filled with foam as well as batting, often in several layers, and are almost always much thicker and larger than Japanese futons, resembling a traditional mattress in size. Western-style futons are a cheap alternative to a bed or other furniture, and are often sold in sets that include the mattress and frame; in fact, in the United States, "futon" often refers to the frame, not the mattress. Futons normally feature a removable and replaceable cover, giving them more versatility. Most Japanese people would not recognize a Western-style "futon" as a futon.
There is, however, a growing market in Japan for high quality bedding made in the Western style. While still not traditional futons, they lack the springs and synthetic casings of Western mattresses and tend to be constructed primarily out of cotton. Additionally, these alternative futons tend to be hand-made. Quite often these futons are marketed as "earth friendly," especially since they do not contain the chemicals with which some conventional bedding is manufactured.
A mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed atop a bed, upon which to sleep or lie.
The word mattress is derived from Arabic words meaning "to throw" and "place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping on cushions thrown on the floor, and the word materas eventually descended into Middle English through the Romance languages.
Though a mattress may be placed directly on the floor, it is usually placed atop a platform (such as a bed or a metal spring foundation) to be further from the ground. Historically, mattresses have been filled with a variety of natural materials, including straw and feathers. Modern mattresses usually contain either an innerspring core or materials such as latex, viscoelastic, or other polyurethane-type foams. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water.
A box-spring is a hard sturdy wooden frame, covered in cloth, containing springs or some other form of torsion. Usually the box-spring is placed on top of a metal frame which sits on the floor and acts as a brace. The box-spring is usually the same size as the much softer mattress which is placed above the box-spring. Working together, the metal frame, box-spring, and mattress make up a bed. It is not uncommon to find a box-spring and mattress being used together without the support of a metal frame underneath.
The box-spring serves three main purposes: To help raise the mattress's height, making it easier to get in and out of bed; to help absorb shock and reduce wear to the mattress; and to help create a perfectly flat and firm structure for the mattress to lay upon. Some beds do not need a box-spring, but most traditional metal-frame or four poster beds require one.
A bed frame or bedstead is the part of a bed used to position a mattress or foundation set off of the floor. Bed frames are typically made of wood or metal. A bed frame is made up of head, foot, and side rails. Most double (full) sized beds, along with all queen and king size beds require some type of center support rail, typically also with extra feet extending down to the floor. Warranties can become invalid if the proper bed frame is not used, and it is suggested that you read your warranty card to confirm whether or not your bed frame is adequate.
Types of bed frames:
Platform
typically featuring a mattress only, although some platform beds will still use a box spring
Captain
drawers are set beneath the bed frame to make use of the space between the bed frame and floor
Though not truly within the definition of a bed frame, most people include headboards, footboards, and bed rails when speaking of bed frames. Headboards and footboards can be made of wood or metal that is stained, painted, or covered with fabric or leather. Bed rails are usually made of steel or iron.
While most bed frames are constructed to have a headboard attached to it, they do not usually accommodate footboards, unless you buy a specific type of frame that has attachments at both ends. For beds with headboards and footboards, the frame is made up of bed rails that are attached to the headboard and footboard with slats positioned perpendicular to the bed rails to hold and support the bed.
An ottoman is a piece of furniture, a padded, upholstered seat or bench having neither back nor arms, often used as a stool or footstool.
A nightstand (in American English) or a bedside table (in British English) is a small table or cabinet designed to stand beside a bed or elsewhere in a bedroom, as a place to put anything likely to be required during the night.
A California King, also known as Cal King or Western King is 4” longer than a standard King Size Bed.
California King or Western King beds are 12" wider than a Queen and 4" longer. This is the longest bed commonly available in stores and is the best choice for tall people. Like the Eastern King, the California King bed set comes with one mattress and two half-width box springs to be more manageable when moving. Very tall single people can sleep from corner to corner and still be comfortable.
Overall dimensions: 72" wide x 84" long
Width per person: 36"
Pros: A California King size mattress is wide enough for two to sleep comfortably and is the longest bed commonly available. Its extra length is good for tall people.
It is important to know what type of King Bed you have purchased because it will make buying a mattress and sheets much easier.
A Standard King Size Bed is also known as an Eastern King. Two people sleeping in a King size bed will get the same amount of personal sleeping space as in a Twin bed. In fact, if you pushed two Extra-Long Twin beds together they'd be about the same size as an Eastern King. Standard King or Eastern King beds are about 16" wider than a Queen bed and the same length. A King size bed is sold with two box springs or frames and one mattress. This makes it easier to move.
Overall dimensions: 76" wide x 80" long
Width per person: 38"
Pros: As the widest bed commonly available in stores, the Standard King is the most comfortable for two adults. The 80" length is sufficient for most people. Sheets labeled "King Size" fit a Standard King bed.
Twin Beds are also known as Single Beds. They're the most common choice for children's rooms or multi-use guest rooms. These beds are narrow and fit easily into the smallest bedroom. Often twin beds have a "trundle" underneath to accommodate a sleep-over or second guest. Twin beds are used for bunk beds too.
Overall dimensions: 39" wide x 75" long"
Width per person: 39"
Pros: Because of its small size it will fit easily into smaller bedrooms. Twin sheets are the least costly of all sheet sizes and are available in lots of patterns. It's easy to make a twin bed.
Cons: A standard size is too short for many adults.
Twin Extra Long beds are 5" longer than a standard twin. They're often used in college dorm rooms to accommodate tall teens.
Overall dimensions: 39" wide x 80" long
Width per person: 39"
Pros: The longer length is good for taller teens and adults. It's easy to make, since it's narrow. If you need flexibility in a guest room, two extra long twins are a good choice. They can be used as singles or pushed together to form a king size bed.
Cons: Bedding is difficult to find and not available in every pattern.
Full beds also known as Double Beds were the most common beds for two people to sleep on until the 1960’s. They're only 15" wider than a Single bed, leaving only 27" of sleep space for each of two adults. At 75" long, a Full size bed may be too short for some taller adults.
Overall dimensions: 54" wide x 75" long
Width per person: 27"
Pros: Fits into smaller rooms. Might be just right for a single sleeper who is under 5'5" tall. Sheets are less expensive than queen or king size.
Cons: Many people find a Double bed too narrow for 2 adults and too short as well.
Queen size beds are 21" wider and 5" longer than a Twin bed and 6" wider and 5" longer than a Double size bed. Though this extra width and length can make all the difference in getting a good night's sleep, each adult still has 9" less of width than if they each slept in a twin bed. A Queen bed works well for guest rooms and small master bedrooms and is a good choice for couples who like to snuggle.
Overall dimensions:60" wide x 80" long
Width per person: 30"
Pros: Gives 2 adults more space than a double. The extra length (5") works well for most adults. Sheets and blankets are easy to find and cost less than king bedding.
Cons: With only 30" of personal space for each person (only 3" more than a Double), a Queen may be too narrow for everyday sleeping for a couple. Some bedding is sold as "Full/Queen" and doesn't really fit either full or queen perfectly. Check bedding dimensions to be sure that it will fit comfortably. Standard size pillows or queen pillows work well.
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